Comparison of Gang and Individual Rape Incidents

• NCJ Number: 178113
• Journal: Violence and Victims Volume: 14 Issue: 2 Dated: Summer 1999 Pages: 123-146
• Author(s): Sarah E. Ullman
• Date Published: 1999
• Length: 24 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined differences between gang and individual offender rape incidents reported to the Chicago police.

Abstract

Two samples of rape cases reported to Chicago police were analyzed. The first sample consisted of all founded rape cases in 1979, which included 1,530 completed rape and attempted rape incidents. The second sample was a one-quarter random sample of all rape complaints (some of which were later unfounded) made by women to the Chicago Police Department in 1981, which included 612 completed rapes and 59 attempted rapes. Data from these two samples were collected with the same 171-item questionnaire that was completed by coders from all documents and reports in the police files. Detailed information was recorded on the situational characteristics of attacks, offender and victim behaviors during the rape, as well as sexual abuse and physical injuries to the victims. Only offenses with multiple offenders and one victim (e.g., gang rape cases) and one offender and one victim were selected for analysis in this study. In addition, only cases with victims and offenders who were 16 years old or older were examined. The resulting sample sizes were 1,269 for the founded sample and 550 for the complaint sample. Analyses showed that victims and offenders in gang rape incidents were younger, more likely to be unemployed, but not different in marital status or race than victims and offenders in individual rapes (e.g., single offender, single victim crimes). Gang rapes were characterized by more alcohol and drug involvement, fewer weapons, more night attacks, less victim resistance, and more severe sexual assault outcomes compared with individual rapes. Regression analyses revealed distinct correlates of physical injury outcomes for gang and individual rape incidents. Implications for treatment and prevention of these types of assault are discussed. 5 tables and 18 references