Security issue: Sexual assault
Contents
Security issue: Sexual assault
Sexual assault is assault of a sexual nature on another person, or any sexual act committed without consent. It includes (in most jurisdictions):
- Rape;
- Attempted rape;
- Child sexual abuse;
- Elderly sexual assault;
- Sexual harassment;
- Groping;
- Domestic violence; and
- Bestiality
Each of these categories are described in more detail in the Wikipedia page on sexual assault.
Description
In the context of the Securipedia, we will focus on sexual assault by strangers in the urban public space. This precludes domestic violence and (for all practical purposes) bestiality.
Almost all (93%) sexual assaults are commited by men and the vast majority (86%) of the victims are female.[1]
Rape is generally believed to be primarily motivated by the need of exerting power; forced sexual acts of various kinds are used to satisfy the variations of those needs. Power, anger, and control are the motives, and rape is the intent.[2]
For female victims of sexual assault, the most frequently reported locations where the most recent assault had taken place were the victim’s own or another home (40%), and a public venue (37%), such as a place of entertainment, including car parks.[1]
Attributing circumstances
- Most of the sex offenders commit their crimes close to home.[3]
- Women with disabilities are raped and abused at a rate at least twice that of the general population of women.[4]
- Alcohol (?)
Impacts
- There is at least a 50 percent likelihood that a woman will develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after being raped. Sexual assault is also closely associated with depression and anxiety disorders.[5]
- Of adult American women who are raped, 31.5 percent are physically injured.[6]
- The cost of rape and sexual assault, excluding child sexual assault, per criminal victimization is $87,000 per year. For the victim, the average rape or attempted rape costs $5,100 in tangible, out-ofpocket expenses.[7]
Measures
Measure against rape that can be influenced by urban planners are primarily addressing reducing the attributing circumstances:
- Avoid creating places with a high likelyhood of alcohol abuse
- Avoid creating deserted spots (?)
- Provide good transportation
- Be especially aware of protecting vulnerable groups, such as disableds
- Directing flows of people => avoid 'attractive' circumstances
- Surveillance
- Reaction force
Footnotes and references
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://www.secasa.com.au/assets/Statstics/national-crime-and-safety-australia-2002.pdf
- ↑ Savino, J., and B. Turvey (2005). Rape Investigation Handbook. Burlington, MA: Elsevier
- ↑ Spatial patterns of sex offenders: Theoretical, empirical, and practical issues Eric Beauregard, Jean Proulx, D. Kim Rossmo; Agression and Violent Behavior 10 (2005) 579-603
- ↑ Sobsey. D, 1994. “Violence and Abuse in the Lives of People with Disabilities,” The End of Silent Acceptance, Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brooks Publishing Co, Inc.
- ↑ “Populations Reports: Ending Violence Against Women” Populations Information Program, Center for Communication Programs. The Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health, December 1999.
- ↑ Tjaden, P, Thoennes N. Full Report of the Prevalence, Incidence, and Consequences of Violence Against Women: Findings from the National Violence Against Women Survey, Washington (DC): National Institute of Justice; 2000. Report NCJ 183781.
- ↑ Milled, Ted, et al. Victims Costs and Consequences: A New Look, National Institute of Justice Report, US Department of Justice, 1996.
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