Sexual assault of older women by strangers.
This study examines victim, offender, and offence characteristics associated with sexual assaults by strangers of older women compared to those against younger women. Cases are obtained from the Serious Crime Analysis Section of the United Kingdom National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA; formerly Centrex). All possible cases of rape, attempted rape, and lesser sexual assault involving a single female victim aged 60 or older are selected (n = 53). These are matched with a sample of sexual assaults against women aged between 20 to 45 years ( n = 53). Research findings reveal significant differences in relation to a number of variables, including ethnicity of the offender, number of previous convictions of the offender, and characteristics associated with the assault itself. The results of this research reveal new information about violent sexual assaults on older women by strangers and have implications for practitioners dealing with such cases.
School of Psychosocial Studies, 3-15 Endsleigh Place, Faculty of Health,University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL8 4AA, England. slea@plymouth.ac.uk
Susan J
SJ
Lea
Laura
L
Hunt
Steve
S
Shaw
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003417:Criminal Psychology; D057237:Criminals / Q000523:psychology*; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006113:United Kingdom