Victim Gender, Number of Perpetrators, and Interpersonal Interaction in Stranger Rape: An Analysis of Direct and Moderator Effects

Abstract

This study examined the direct and moderator effects of number of perpetrators and gender of victim on interpersonal behaviour in stranger rape. Crime scene behaviours representative of hostility, involvement, control, and offender penetration in rape were examined for 496 UK, police‐recorded cases of stranger rape. Cases were grouped according to victim gender (male or female) and number of perpetrators (lone or multiple). This resulted in four groups (lone female, lone male, multiple female, and multiple male) with 124 cases in each. Binary logistic regression and one‐way analysis of variance were used to investigate the relationships between the two predictor variables and 11 criterion variables.Significant direct effects of number of perpetrators were found whereby multiple perpetrator offences were more likely to involve violence and less likely to involve involvement interactions than lone perpetrator offences. Significant direct effects of victim gender were also found whereby male victims were more likely than female victims to experience hostile interactions and be threatened with a weapon and were less likely to experience offender penetration and involvement interactions. Significant crossover interactions were also found for four hostility variables. The utility of the findings are discussed in relation to crime prevention, victim support, and offender intervention. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Associations Between Substance Use in Commission of Sexual Crimes and Offense Characteristics Among Youth: Mitigating Effects of Substance Use Treatment

“…The number of victims was not statistically significant, and may not be directly affected by use of substances prior to committing crimes. Perhaps, this relationship may be better explained by an indirect association through other factors such as access, supervision, level of planning, or violence (Hackett, Phillips, Masson, & Balfe, 2013; Lundrigan, 2014). However, the results revealed that substance use prior to the commission of sexual crimes was associated with sexual deviance.…”

Grievance-fueled sexual violence

“…This was lower than some previous research that suggested that in more than half of male rape cases force and physical injury was described (e.g., Walker et al, 2005 ). Moreover, a subsequent study by Lundrigan (2014) indicated that male victims were more likely than female victims to experience overtly hostile interactions. In addition, Ioannou et al (2017) argued that “most male-on-male sexual assaults are violent in nature” (p. 189).…”

The Victim-Perpetrator Relationship and Peritraumatic Schemas as a Result of Sexual Trauma

“…Peritraumatic schemas may be an additional mechanism Lauricella et al NP2053 that explains the relationship between sexual trauma and PTSS, but this has not been examined. Additionally, although there is literature discussing the importance of the relationship between the victim and the perpetrator on the resulting outcomes, the conclusions are mixed (Lundrigan, 2014;Temple et al, 2007;Ullman & Siegel, 1993). Clarifying the role of peritraumatic schemas and how they may depend on the victim-perpetrator relationship can help to understand the various factors that impact the development of PTSS because of sexual trauma.…”

“…In addition to a lack of knowledge regarding the association of peritraumatic schemas and PTSS, understanding how the victim-perpetrator relationship impacts this association is also lacking. Evidence exists that the victim-perpetrator relationship is important to the sequelae of sexual trauma NP2050 Journal of Interpersonal Violence 38(1-2) (Lundrigan, 2014;Temple et al, 2007;Ullman & Siegel, 1993). It is also possible that the victim-perpetrator relationship is associated with the peritraumatic schemas experienced by the victim, meaning the beliefs the victim has about themselves, others, and the world may vary during sexual trauma depending on their relationship with the perpetrator.…”