NCJ Number
98533
Date Published
1985
Length
115 pages
Annotation
Data on reported sexual assaults of children during a 10-month period in St. Petersburg, Fla., formed the basis of an examination of the dynamics of this crime, demographic characteristics of the offender and victim, and the relationship of the victim to the offender.
Abstract
Data came from the criminal case files of the St. Petersburg Police Department on the 105 cases that were reported between October 1, 1983, and July 31, 1984, and were validated. All sexual battery cases involving persons under the age of 18 were reviewed. Each offense report, followup report, and State witness sheet was examined. Data revealed that almost nine-tenths of the victims were females. The average age of the victims was 10.44; the range was 1 to 17. The offenders averaged almost 31 years of age and ranged from 6 to 63 years. Nearly all the offenders were males. In 88.2 percent of the cases, the victims knew the offender. In 48.7 percent of the incidents, the offender was either a member of the victim's immediate family or another close relative. The victim's mother most often reported the crime to the police. Only 5.9 percent of the cases involved the use of a weapon. The offenders did not use drugs or alchol in the majority of cases (77.4 percent). Investigative efforts resulted in the closure of 85.7 percent of the cases. A literature review, data tables, 37 references, and appendixes presenting a data entry sheet, coding information, and background materials are supplied. (Author abstract modified)