It's Criminal: Variance in Adjudicated Cases of Animal Sexual Abuse and Exploitation in the US

• In Event: Institutional and Specialized Sexual Abuse Issues

Abstract

The reported incidence of animal sexual abuse (bestiality) worldwide has grown at an alarming rate over the past ten years. Sexual contact between humans and animals has occurred throughout recorded history, and is considered a criminal act in nearly every U.S. state and most foreign countries. There is, however, wide variability in how laws are written as well as how those laws are applied. This presentation will summarize preliminary results of original research based more than 400 adjudicated cases in the United States over a forty-year period. Highlighted are offender types, links to other criminal behavior, and variability in charging, bargaining, and sentencing. We believe the information and impact of this study will be significant, and form the basis for additional research and development of practical applications for criminologists as well as legal and law enforcement professionals.

Authors

• Jenny Edwards, Chandler Edwards Research

• Kathryn Seigfried-Spellar, Purdue University