Understanding Rape and Sexual Assault: Statistics and Insights

1 4-2 Module Four Assignment Angelina Garcia Southern New Hampshire University CJ-315: Victimology Professor, Jennifer Grimes February 3, 2024

2 Module Four Assignment Rape and sexual assault are the crimes that I have chosen. Rape is defined in most states as the act of forcibly engaging in sexual relations with another individual against that individual's will. Rape is the act of engaging in unlawful sexual relations or indulging in unlawful sexual relations. There have been numerous revisions to rape laws in the United States over the years, with the laws varying from state to state (Farlex, n.d.). Rape and attempted rape fall into a separate category of victimization known as sexual assault. As part of these crimes, the victim is generally subjected to an attack or attempted attack involving unwanted sexual contact between the victim and the offender. Force may or may not be used in sexual assaults. Grabs and fondles may also be involved. Furthermore, it includes verbal threats (rapes and sexual assaults). Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS). According to the data that I have collected, sexual assault and rape have declined from 1 in every 200 to 1 in every 230 people between 2018 and 2019. One year later, this represents a significant improvement. From 2018 to 2019, 29% fewer black individuals were victims, and 22% fewer white individuals were victims (Project on Crime and Victimization, 2019 (OJP.gov), p.1). Based on data from 2015 to 2018, the lowest number of reported rapes and sexual assaults was 393,980 in 2017 (Criminal Victimization, 2019 (OJP.gov), p.3). It is important to note that certain crimes do not always get reported. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) - Rape and Sexual Assault, more than 3.4 million violent crimes went unreported to the police each year between 2006 and 2010. From 2015 to 2019, there has been a decline in reported sexual assaults and rapes. However, experts believe that the actual number of incidents is much higher. This is likely because many victims are reluctant to report the crime due to fear of not being taken seriously or for fear of retribution. Additionally, victims of sexual assault often experience feelings of shame and guilt, which can prevent them

3 from coming forward. To address this issue, organizations need to create safe spaces for victims to report their experiences, and for there to be increased public awareness of this issue. Additionally, victims should be encouraged to seek support and help to cope with the aftermath of the assault. There is a high likelihood that a person will become a victim of rape or sexual assault. These crimes are most prevalent among people between the ages of 12 and 34. The likelihood of becoming a victim for adults 65 and older is 92% lower than that of adults 12 to 34 years of age. Researchers have identified a variety of factors that increase the likelihood of becoming a victim, including alcohol use, social settings, and unsupervised children, among others. It is not the fault of an individual if he or she is assaulted because of any of these factors. Women have been told in the past that the way they dress may also indicate that they have been sexually assaulted. However, this has not yet been proven, although it will cause a woman to refrain from dressing provocatively. I am not attempting to hurt anyone's feelings with these risk factors, but simply to inform people of characteristics that may be associated with victimization. As with those attending college, the incidence of sexual assault and rape is also high. Among those factors are the number of sexual partners you have, whether you are a sorority member, what day of the week it is, whether you attend off-campus parties, and even whether you are a freshman or sophomore. It has been reported that most assaults in college take place between midnight and 6 a.m. on weekends (Archived Factors That Increase Sexual Assault Risk | National Institute of Justice (ojp.gov)). This may be because college students attend classes during the week. Most college women are reported to have been assaulted at off-campus parties, which may explain why this may be an important factor. Students who were members of sororities accounted for nearly 25 percent of sexual assault reports, whereas only 14 14 of students not members of

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4 sororities reported sexual assaults. The National Institute of Justice has compiled factors that increase the risk of sexual abuse (ojp.gov). Everyone needs to understand the characteristics of victimization. The question, what did I do wrong?" is commonly asked by victims of abuse. In the event of an assault? There is never a victim’s fault, but victims should be aware of the thing perpetrators may look for to commit a crime against them. Victims should be aware of their vulnerability and take steps to protect themselves. They should also know who to turn to for help and where to find it. Furthermore, victims need to know that they are not alone, and that help is available.

5 References Criminal victimization, 2020 – supplemental statistical tables. (2020, September). Retrieved March 26, 2023, from https://bjs.ojp.gov/content/pub/pdf/cv20sst.pdf Factors that increase sexual assault risk. National Institute of Justice. (n.d.). Retrieved March 26, 2023, from https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/factors-increase-sexual-assault-risk Farlex. (n.d.). Rape. The Free Dictionary. Retrieved March 25, 2023, from https://legal- dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/rape Rape and sexual assault. Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS). (n.d.). Retrieved March 25, 2023, from https://www.bjs.gov/index.cfm?tid=317&ty=tp Risk factors. INSPQ. (2016, October). Retrieved March 26, 2023, from https://www.inspq.qc.ca/en/sexual-assault/understanding-sexual-assault/risk-factors

CJ-315 4-2

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