Examining Group Rape: A Descriptive Analysis of Offender and Victim Behaviour

• NCJ Number: 214935
• Journal: European Journal of Criminology Volume: 3 Issue: 3 Dated: July 2006 Pages: 357-381
• Author(s): Louise E. Porter; Laurence J. Alison
• Date Published: July 2006
• Length: 25 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study presents a descriptive analysis of group rape offenses, including an examination of the circumstances of the incident and offender and victim behavior.

Abstract

Overall, the results indicate that group rape offenses typically involve young male offenders who assault their victims in groups of two or three. Victims of group rape tend to be females of approximately the same age as their attackers. Group rape offenders typically use surprise tactics and weapons to overcome their victims. Offenders generally transport their victims from the approach location to another location for the attack. The attacks themselves tend to involve repeated sexual abuse over a period of time and the vast majority of assaults involve vaginal penetration. Most victims struggle with their offenders and are eventually released after the attack has been completed. Other findings reveal that juveniles are more likely than adults to offend in groups. The findings have implications for criminal justice policy in that juvenile offenders are more likely to be involved in serious group rape crimes, yet they are also less likely to receive custodial sentences and are more likely to receive shorter sentences than adults. Data on 223 group rape offenses involving 739 separate offenders and 210 separate groups were gathered from archival sources mainly from the United States and the United Kingdom. Variables under analysis included the background characteristics of offenders, group size, victim characteristics, approach type, approach location, rape location, sexual behaviors, violence, weapons, non-sexual offenses occurring in conjunction with the group rape, the outcome for the victim, victim behavior, temporal changes in group rape cases, and cross-cultural differences. Statistical data analysis involved the use of chi-square comparisons. Future research on group rape should be guided by an interpersonal behavioral approach that takes into account the complex interactions that occur between the offenders and between the offenders and the victim. Tables, references