What leads victims to resist? Factors that influence victim resistance in sexual assaults

Abstract

PurposeVictim resistance has been shown to have an important impact on the outcome of sexual assaults. Thus, the factors that affect a victim’s likelihood of various levels of resistance are relevant to consider, given the possibly detrimental effect these actions can have on crime outcome. While not intended to blame the victim in any way, it is important to examine the role the victim plays within a sexually coercive interchange in order to completely understand the sex crime event and, thus, be able to inform potential victims as to the patterns that increase resistance and, potentially, overall violence. The paper aims to discuss this issue.Design/methodology/approachSequential logistic regression analyses were conducted on a sample of 613 sex offenses (incorporating both adult and child victims) to examine the individual and combined effects of offender lifestyle, disinhibitors, victim vulnerability, situational impediments and offender modus operandi on victim resistance levels.FindingsResults suggest that indicators of offender mindset are significant, particularly the use of pornography prior to the crime, and affect victim interpretation and response to the offender’s actions during the course of the assault. Other relevant factors include the victim’s age and the degree of violence present in the offender’s approach and subsequent offending strategies.Originality/valueThis information would be helpful to incorporate into victim education programs so that past and future potential victims can better understand the criminal event and the causes and effects of their own actions within that event.

Why didn’t you resist? Situational influences on victim resistance during a rape

“…Similarly, the more severe the victim resistance, the more important the offender and crime context variables were. These findings are different from the study by Balemba and Beauregard (2019) which identified offender disinhibitor variables (i.e. sexual arousal, pornography prior to the crime) as the most predictive of victim resistance.…”

“…They found that when offenders were intoxicated with alcohol and/or drugs, victims were more likely to use verbal or physical resistance (Atkeson et al, 1989). This result has been confirmed by more recent studies showing that offender intoxication led to an increase in the level of the victim's resistance (Balemba and Beauregard, 2019;Chopin and Beauregard, 2021;Clay-Warner, 2003).…”

“…Offender characteristics. Studies show that victim resistance could be influenced by offender characteristics (Balemba and Beauregard, 2019;Chopin and Beauregard, 2021;Clay-Warner, 2003;Gidycz et al, 2008). We used a total of eight variables.…”

“…Crime context. Several studies have shown that victims' resistance is affected by crime characteristics (Atkeson et al, 1989;Balemba and Beauregard, 2019;Clay-Warner, 2003). We used a total of seven dichotomous variables that have been identified to potentially impact the victim's resistance: (26) offender and victim were strangers (i.e.…”

“…Although only a few studies investigated strategies used by offenders to approach their victims, findings revealed that when victims were assaulted using a con or a ruse (i.e. manipulation), they were less likely to use resistance (Atkeson et al, 1989; Balemba and Beauregard, 2019; Leclerc et al, 2010). Also, studies have shown that victims threatened with a weapon were less likely to resist (Atkeson et al, 1989; Burnett et al, 1985; Clay-Warner, 2003; Ullman, 2007).…”