Use of Force During Sexual Assaults that Occur in Indian Country

• In Event: Factors Surrounding the Severity of Sexual Assaults among Native Americans

Abstract

In sexual victimization cases, offenders have various methods that they use to perpetrate sexual assaults. Many of the offenders use coercion in order to achieve sexual contact with a partner who is unwilling (De Gue & DeLillo, 2004). However, other methods may be used such as verbal or physical threats or verbal or physical force. The Center for Applied Criminal Case Analysis (CACCA) collected data from federal case files on the type of force or coercion used in sexual assaults that occurred in Indian Country with Native American victims. This study aims to examine the correlation between the type of force used and the severity of the sexual offense. Statistical tests will be run to examine the correlation in this specific racial group, and the implications of this research will be discussed.

Authors

• Nicole Murray, Florida Institute of Technology

• Marshall A. Jones, Florida Institute of Technology

• Travis W. Conradt, Florida Institute of Technology