Dr Miranda Horvath

BSc (Hons) MSc (Kent), PhD (Sur)
Lecturer in Forensic Psychology

I joined the Department of Psychology in May 2008 as a Lecturer in Forensic Psychology after working for the Child and Woman Abuse Studies Unit at London Metropolitan University. I have a range of interests in forensic psychology but the main focus of my work is on the psychology of sexual violence, in particular the role of alcohol and drugs in rape.

My research focuses on sexual violence from an applied social psychological perspective. My work is informed by a variety of social psychological constructs such as; script theory, sex roles, routine activities and negotiative space alongside feminist theory. I also maintain a focus on the broader cultural context in which consensual sexual activity and sexual violence occurs.

My PhD research focused on drug-assisted rape, a phenomenon that has emerged into public consciousness through extensive media reporting of a number of high profile cases in recent years, but on which there is little research. My research used police case files to provide a descriptive account of the offence and began developing theoretical explanations. Supervision of graduate and undergraduate research projects enabled me to develop other strands of research such as studies looking at geographical profiling of drug-assisted rapes and newspaper archival analysis of its portrayal in the media. One of these led to a collaborative, government funded project where we produced an educational and awareness raising film about drink spiking.

I am currently working on a project focusing on multiple perpetrator rapes. This research project will draw on the few published pieces of work on the topic, for example American work on fraternity gang rape and British work using multidimensional scaling techniques and an interpersonal model.  Theoretically the research draws on social psychological work about group dynamics and processes, close attention is also being paid to the influence of gender and the cultural context. I am keen to develop this research further by comparing the data with that from other areas in the UK and other countries.

I have conducted research with a number of police forces and sat on a number of advisory groups. Specifically the Sapphire Specialist Advisory Group and the Rape Performance Group. Project Sapphire is part of the London Metropolitan Police and specialises in investigating rape and sexual assault cases and in providing victims with the support and care they need. The independent advisory group’s role is to monitor the capital city’s police force’s performance in this area and provide support and guidance about how it can be improved and developed. The Rape Performance Group was set up by central Government in order to try and raise standards of rape investigation, monitor performance, monitor and improve victim satisfaction and provide support and challenge those working at all stages of the Criminal Justice System. I am an Deputy Director of the Crime & Justice @ Surrey research initiative.

My other interest within forensic psychology is on offending and non-offending men’s accounts and understandings of non-consensual and consensual sexual behaviour. I am also interested in the links between men’s use of ‘lad’s mags’, their attitudes towards women and paying for sex.

I am willing to supervise MSc and PhD work on topics that are close to my areas of interest.

 

Employment History

After completing her PhD at the University of Surrey, Miranda worked as a Research Fellow in the Child and Woman Abuse Studies Unit at London Metropolitan University. The unit conducts research, evaluation and consultancy to a range of statutory and non-statutory governmental organisations in the UK and internationally on all aspects of violence against women and children. She worked on a variety of projects including assessing the outcomes and impacts of the project“Life without fear: Protecting the rights of Russian women and children experiencing domestic violence” which is providing training on domestic violence for criminal justice professionals in Ekaterinburg in Russia; Evaluation of the operation and effectiveness of the first sexual assault referral centre ‘Archway’ in Scotland and research on men who pay for sex.

 

Training of Professional Groups

In addition to academic teaching, Miranda also has experience in the provision of lectures, workshops and training courses tailored to the diverse needs of criminal justice professionals.

 

External Activities

Miranda regularly reviews for a number of academic journals including Psychology, Crime and Law; Legal and Criminological Psychology; Thirdspace; Crime, Law and Social Change.

 

Organisation of Workshops, Symposia and Seminars

One day conference: Additional Tools for dealing with violent crime: Integrating practice and research. Crime & Justice @ Surrey one day conference. See http://www.cjs.surrey.ac.uk/conference24nov2008.htm

Symposium: Multiple perspectives on sexual harassment, assault and rape. European Association of Psychology and Law Conference, Maastricht 2008.

Funded seminar series on rape through the British Psychological Society 2005-7. See http://www.sori.co.uk/

 

Journal Articles

In preparation

Black, G., Glorney, E. & Horvath, M.A.H. (in prep). Violence as a process.

Chambers, J.C., Horvath, M.A.H. & Kelly, L. (in prep). A qualitative model of victim statements of multiple perpetrator rape.

Under Review

Coy, M. & Horvath, M.A.H. (under review) ‘Lads mags’, young men’s attitudes towards women and acceptance of myths about sexual aggression. Feminism & Psychology.

Published

Horvath, M.A.H. & Kelly, L. (2009) Gang/Group/Multiple Perpetrator rape: Naming an offence and initial research findings. Journal of Sexual Aggression, 15(1), 83-97.

Horvath, M.A.H. & Giner-Sorolla, R. (2007) Below the age of consent: Influences on moral and legal judgments of adult-adolescent sexual relationships. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 37 (12), 2980-3009.

Horvath, M. A. H. & Brown, J. (2007) Alcohol as drug of choice: Is drug-assisted rape a misnomer? Psychology, Crime and Law, 13(5), 417-429.

Horvath, M. A. H. & Brown, J. (2006) Using police data for empirical investigations of rape. Issues in Forensic Psychology, 6, 49-56.

Horvath, M. A. H. & Brown, J. (2006) The role of alcohol and drugs in rape. Medicine, Science and the Law, 46(3), 219-228.

Horvath, M. A. H. & Brown, J. (2006) Under the Influence: Drunkeness and sobriety in rape. In M. Ioannou & D. Youngs (eds) Explorations in investigative Psychology, Volume 1, Proceedings of the 16th Conference of the European Association of Psychology & Law

Horvath, M. A. H. & Brown, J. (2005) Drug-assisted rape and sexual assault: Definitional, conceptual and methodological developments. Journal of Investigative Psychology and Offender Profiling, 203-210.

Horvath, M. A. H. & Brown, J. (2005) War on Attrition. Police Review, April 8, 22-23.

Horvath, M. A. H. & Brown, J. (2004) Shattered Lives. Police Review, October 22, 18-19.

Horvath, M.A.H. & Brown, J. (2004) Distinguishing characteristics of drug-assisted rape and sexual assault: A preliminary exploration. In A. Czerederecka, T. Jaskiewicz-Obydzinska, R. Roesch & J. Wojcikiewicz (eds.), Forensic Psychology and Law: Facing the challenges of a changing world (pp. 30-40). Cracow, Poland: Institute of Forensic Research Publishers.

Books

Horvath, M.A.H. & Brown, J. (eds) (in preparation, due spring 2009) Understanding rape: Challenging contemporary thinking. Devon, UK: Willan.

Tong, S., Bryant, R. & Horvath, M.A.H. (in preparation, due September 2009) Understanding Criminal Investigation. West Sussex, UK: Wiley.

 

Book Chapters

Lovett, J. & Horvath, M.A.H. (in press, due September 2009). Alcohol and drugs in rape. In M.A.H. Horvath & J. Brown (Eds.) Rape: Challenging contemporary thinking. Cullompton: Willan Publishing..

Horvath, M.A.H. (in press) Sexual assault. In J. Brown & E.A. Campbell (Eds.) Cambridge Handbook of Forensic Psychology. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

Horvath, M.A.H. (in press) Assessment of child victims of sexual abuse. In J. Brown & E.A. Campbell (Eds.) Cambridge Handbook of Forensic Psychology. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

Horvath, M.A.H. (in press) Interventions with childhood sexual abuse. In J. Brown & E.A. Campbell (Eds.) Cambridge Handbook of Forensic Psychology. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

Horvath, M.A.H. & Brown, J. (2007) Constructions of harm and crime in drug-facilitated sexual assault. In R. Roberts & W. McMahon (eds) Criminal justice and social justice. New directions, London: Centre for Crime and Justice Studies. Available from http://www.crimeandjustice.org.uk/opus402/SJCJConfPapersEmbargoed.pdf

 

Reports

Horvath, M.A.H. & Kelly, L. (2008) Archway: Evaluation of the Pilot Scottish Rape and Sexual Assault Referral Centre. Interim report for Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Trust, April.

Lovett, J., Uzelac, G., Horvath, M.A.H. & Kelly, L. (2007) Rape in the 21st Century: Old Behaviours, new contexts and emerging patterns. End of award report submitted to the Economic and Social Research Council, August 2007. Award number: RES-000-22-1679.

Coy, M., Horvath, M.A.H. & Kelly, L. (2007) ‘It’s just like going to the supermarket: Men buying sex in East London. Child & Woman Abuse Studies Unit, London Metropolitan University.

Horvath, M.A.H. & Kelly, L. (2007) From the outset: Why violence should be a priority for the Commission for Equality and Human Rights. A briefing paper by the End Violence Against Women Campaign and the Roddick Foundation.

Coy, M., Horvath, M.A.H. & Kelly, L. (2007) ‘It’s just like going to the supermarket: Men buying sex in East London. Interim report for Safe Exit Tower Hamlets, April.

Kelly, L. With Kennedy, L. & Horvath, M.A.H. (2007) The next step: Developing transnational indicators on violence against women. UN Publications.

 

Conference Presentations

2009
Horvath, M.A.H. (2009). Researching rape: from alcohol to multiple perpetrators. Genito Urinary Medicine Clinic Meeting, Farnham Road Hospital, April 21.

Horvath, M.A.H., Chambers, J.C. & Kelly, L. (2009). Reconstructing and sequencing behaviours in multiple perpetrator rape. Paper presented at the American Psychology-Law Society Annual Conference, San Antonio, TX, March 4-8.

Coy, M., Horvath, M.A.H. & Kelly, L. (2009). Consuming, boasting and confessing: accounts of 137 men buying sex in London. Poster presented at the American Psychology-Law Society Annual Conference, San Antonio, TX, March 4-8.

2008
Horvath, M.A.H. & Brown, J. (2008) Relationship, Location and Alcohol: Increasing the Risk of Being Raped. Paper presented at the XXIX International Congress of Psychology, Berlin, Germany, July 20-25.

Brown, J. & Horvath, M.A.H. (2008) Shades of Grey: An Examination of Rape Allegations Not Proceeding Through the Criminal Justice System. Paper presented at the International Society for Research on Aggression XVIII World Meeting, Budapest, Hungary, July 8-13.

Horvath, M.A.H. & Kelly, L. (2008) Gang/Group/Multiple Perpetrator rape: Naming an offence and initial research findings. Paper presented at the 18th Conference of the European Association of Psychology and Law, Maastricht, Netherlands, July 2-5.

Horvath, M.A.H., Kelly, L & Klein, R. (2008) Evaluating a domestic violence project in Russia: Methodological problems and reflections. Paper presented at the 18th Conference of the European Association of Psychology and Law, Maastricht, Netherlands, July 2-5.

2007
Horvath, M.A.H. & Brown, J. (2007) Constructions of harm and crime in drug-facilitated sexual assault. Paper presented at Criminal justice and social justice. New directions, Centre for Crime and Justice Studies Conference, London, UK, July.

Horvath, M.A.H. & Kelly, L. (2007) The future for rape and sexual assault services. Raising the standards of sex crime investigation, St. Mary’s Centre 5th Annual Conference. Manchester Town Hall, Manchester, UK, March 26-27.

2006
Brown, J. & Horvath, M.A.H. (2006) Drug-assisted rape and sexual assault. Paper presented at the International Association of Applied Psychology Conference, Athens, Greece, July.

Horvath, M.A.H. & Brown, J. (2006) Under the influence: drunkenness and sobriety in rape. Paper presented at the 16th Conference of the European Association of Psychology and Law "The cases, the courts, the consequences", Liverpool, UK, June 27-June 30.

Horvath, M.A.H. & Brown, J. (2006) Using police data for empirical investigations of rape. Paper presented at British Psychological Society Division of Forensic Psychology Conference, Preston, UK, June 20-22.

Horvath, M.A.H. & Brown, J. (2006) Drink or drug assisted rape? Paper presented at the American Psychology-Law Society Conference, St Petersburg, Florida, March 2-4

Horvath, M.A.H. & Brown, J. (2006) Alcohol and drugs in rape: Surrey cases 1999-2004. Paper presented at Surrey Police Drug and Alcohol assisted sexual assault seminar. Surrey police HQ, Guildford, UK January 30.

2005
Horvath, M.A.H. & Brown, J. (2005) Comparative study of drug-assisted rapes and non-drug assisted rapes reported to Surrey police between November 1999 and November 2004. Paper presented at the 8th International Investigative Psychology Conference, London, UK. December 15-16.

Brown, J. & Horvath, M.A.H. (2005) Police decision making and rape allegations. Paper presented at the International Association of Women Police, 43rd Annual Training Conference, Leeds, UK. September 10-15.

Horvath, M.A.H. & Brown, J. (2005) Drug-assisted rape and sexual assault: what do we know and what do we need to know? Paper presented at the International Association of Women Police, 43rd Annual Training Conference, Leeds, UK. September 10-15.

Horvath, M.A.H. & Brown, J. (2005) Distinguishing Drug-Assisted Rape and Non-Drug-Assisted Rape. Paper presented at XVth European Conference on Psychology and Law "New Horizons for Psychology and Law", Vilnius, Lithuania, June 29-July 2.

Brown, J. & Horvath, M.A.H. (2005) Mediation and compensation as an alternative form of justice for rape victims. Paper presented at XVth European Conference on Psychology and Law "New Horizons for Psychology and Law", Vilnius, Lithuania, June 29-July 2.

Horvath, M.A.H. & Giner-Sorolla, R. (2005) Below the age of consent: Influences on moral and legal judgments of adult-adolescent sexual relationships. Poster presented at XVth European Conference on Psychology and Law "New Horizons for Psychology and Law", Vilnius, Lithuania, June 29-July 2.

Horvath, M.A.H. & Brown, J. (2005) Conceptualising drug-assisted rape and sexual assault: Analysis of modus operandi, perpetrator, victim type and offence location. Paper presented at British Psychological Society Division of Forensic Psychology conference, Coventry, UK, March 22-24.

Horvath, M.A.H. & Brown, J. (2005) An exploration of drug-assisted rape and sexual assault. Paper presented at the Sex in Criminal Justice conference, University of Westminster, London UK, March 18-19.

Horvath, M.A.H. & Brown, J. (2005) Drug-assisted rape and sexual assault: Initial findings on modus operandi, perpetrator, victim type and offence location. Paper presented at the American Psychology-Law Society Conference, La Jolla, California, March 3-6

2004
Horvath, M.A.H. & Giner-Sorolla, R. (2004) Below the age of consent: Influences on moral and legal judgements of adult-adolescent sexual relationships. Paper presented at the Legal Decision Making Symposium, University College London, London, UK December 15.

Horvath, M. A. H. & Brown, J. (2004) Drug facilitated sexual assaults. Paper presented at the Surrey Police “Drugs and alcohol – Take responsibility” Seminar, Surrey Police HQ, Guildford, UK November 2.

Horvath, M.A.H. & Brown, J. (2004) Defining and conceptualising drug-assisted rape and sexual assault Paper presented at St. Mary’s Centre Conference: Alcohol and drugs in sexual assault, Manchester, UK, September 28.

Horvath, M.A.H. & Brown, J. (2004) Distinguishing characteristics of drug-assisted rape and sexual assault: A preliminary exploration. Paper presented at 14th European Conference on Psychology and Law, Cracow, Poland, July 7-10.

Horvath, M.A.H. & Brown, J. (2004) Researching drug-assisted rape. Paper presented at the Surrey Police Date Rape Seminar, Surrey Police HQ, Guildford, UK, April 15.

Horvath, M.A.H. & Giner-Sorolla, R. (2004) Judgements of adult-adolescent sexual relationships. Poster presented at the 5th Annual Conference of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Austin, Texas, January 29-31.

Links

Crime & Justice @ Surrey
http://www.cjs.surrey.ac.uk/index.htm

Child and Woman Abuse Studies Unit, London Metropolitan University
http://www.cwasu.org/