NCJ Number
205204
Date Published
February 2004
Length
70 pages
Annotation
This report presents a descriptive analysis of 5,095 sexual assault victims who received treatment or services through the Sex Abuse Treatment Center in Honolulu, HI, from mid-1990 through mid-2001.
Abstract
The average victim in the sample was 18 years old (age at assault). Female victims (90 percent) averaged 18 years old, and male victims averaged 10 years old. The ethnic groups represented were Hawaiian/part-Hawaiian, 28.8 percent; Caucasian, 26.3 percent; and mixed ethnic heritage, not including Hawaiian, 17.4 percent. Most victims were assaulted by someone they knew. Females were more likely than males to have been assaulted by an intimate partner, and males were more likely than females to have been assaulted by a relative. The assaults were most likely to have occurred between midnight and 6:00 am in the victim's home (36.2 percent), assailant's home (26.3 percent), or hotel or workplace. The majority of assaults did not involve the use of a weapon; the offender was more likely to use physical force (69.9 percent), intimidation (64.6 percent), threats (39.5 percent), and deception (37 percent). Generally, victims who sought treatment in an emergency room did so less than 1 day after the assault; the average length of time between the assault and treatment for victims who only sought counseling was 20 days. Males and younger victims waited longer to seek treatment. Adult victims were more likely to report the assault to police if the assailant was a stranger; the assailant used threats, physical force, a weapon, intimidation, or inflicted injuries; were sexually assaulted with an object; or if the victim was Hawaiian/part-Hawaiian. Juvenile victims were more likely to report the assault to police if the attack occurred in a vehicle; the assailant was a stranger; there was only one assailant; a weapon was used or injury was inflicted; they were sexually assaulted with an object or subjected to forcible rape or sodomy; or if the victim was Hawaiian/part-Hawaiian, or Filipino. Male victims were more likely to report the assault if the assailant used physical force and/or if the victim was widowed. Female victims were more likely to report the assault if it occurred in a vehicle; the assailant was a stranger; there was only one assailant; the assailant threatened, used physical force, a weapon, or inflicted injury; they were sexually assaulted with an object; they were Hawaiian/part-Hawaiian, Filipino, or other Asian (excluding Japanese); were an adult; and/or were single. General trends in victim characteristics are reported for the period 1990-2001. 15 tables and 14 figures