Dynamics of Violence Between Strangers - Victim Resistance and Outcomes in Rape, Robbery and Assault

Victim resistance was categorized as forceful, nonforceful, a combination of the two, and no resistance. The types of victim resistance used and their impact on physical injury and crime completion varied with victim and offender characteristics, the crime setting, and whether or not the offender used a weapon. Generally, nonforceful resistance was related to more favorable victim outcomes. Victims who resisted by screaming, running away, reasoning with their attackers, or other nonforceful means were less likely to be injured and more likely to avoid completion of the crime. These findings are tempered by research limitations. The National Crime Survey excludes crimes in which the victim dies, and it does not obtain data on the sequencing of victim and offender actions, so it cannot be known whether resistance preceded or followed attack. Tabular and graphic data and 46 references. (Author abstract modified)