Sex Offenses Perpetrated Against Older Adults: A Multivariate Analysis of Crime Scene Behaviors

Abstract

The aim of this study was to thematically explore the relationship between crime scene behaviors and background characteristics of offenders who commit sexual offenses against female victims aged 60 years or more. Research and understanding of offense behaviors in this area is extremely limited; therefore, the study sought to provide a preliminary understanding and multivariate model of offense behaviors in cases where older female adults were sexually abused. Twenty-seven crime scene behaviors from 143 rape or attempted rape cases of an older adult victim were analyzed; frequency data were computed to provide base rate information, and Smallest Space Analysis provided a visual representation of the co-occurrence of crime scene behaviors. Three distinct dominant themes were identified, in which 56% of offenses displayed themes of Involvement (22%), Control (17%), and Hostility (16%). The relationship between each dominant theme and selected background characteristics was then analyzed. For example, offenders displaying an Involvement theme were found to be significantly less likely to have prior convictions. Significance was also found in the relationship between dominant themes and a “theft and kindred offence other” preconviction background characteristic. The findings demonstrate offending behavior can be separated into three distinct themes, providing an explanation of offender subtypes and supporting previous models found in other types of sexual offending. Applications for law enforcement agencies regarding identified themes and links with likely offender background characteristics are highlighted. Limitations and future research avenues are discussed.

The exposition of rape in Cyprus: From the crime scene to the court room

“…and involvement (i.e., con initial approach, kisses to face, etc.) (Almond et al, 2022: 4826). In relation to our study, Table 3 provides a rather detailed illustration of the ways in which perpetrators in Cyprus prey upon their victims.…”

“…At this point, it is worth noting that the perpetrators (usually) exercise only as much violence as it takes to subdue the victim; however, there are cases where the perpetrators—depending on their type, such as selfish/unselfish (Hazelwood, 2016)—use escalating blunt force on victims after their submission (Hazelwood and Warren, 2016). This latter extreme type of tactic may be due to the motives of the perpetrator(s), possibly indicating that he/they is/are acting out sadistic (Holmes and Holmes, 2008; Krueger, 2010; Lovell et al, 2022), misogynistic (Koo et al, 2012) or hostile (Almond et al, 2022) sentiments.…”

“…Two perpetrators were, in the past, accused of committing sexual assaults, and one perpetrator had previously sexually exploited a minor. Relatedly, a study examining the behaviour of UK rapists showed that ‘Involvement’ offenders are significantly less likely to have a prior conviction, while ‘Control’ or ‘Hostility’ offenders are significantly likely to have (Almond et al, 2022: 4830).…”