A Comparative Analysis of Journey to Crime Patterns among Acquaintance and Non-Acquaintance Sex Offenders

• In Event: Sexual Offending, Crime Patterns, Mobility and Opportunity

Abstract

The present study examines the journey to crime (JTC) of two samples of sexual offenders, those classified as having acquaintance victims (n=135) and non-acquaintance victims (n=165). The sample is derived from a larger study of sexual offenders in New Jersey who have been followed for a period over 40 years. Utilizing Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies and regression models, the distance traveled between the street address of the offense location is compared with the distance traveled from the sexual offender’s home address. The goal of this research is to compare JTC patterns among sexual offenders who victimize known individuals to those who seek out unknown victims and to assess how these patterns compare to what is known about JTC patterns for other offender types. The impact of a variety of offender and community characteristics on the distance between offender residence and crime event locations are explored. Policy implications of the research are also discussed, particularly in light of legislation limiting sexual offender residence restrictions.

Authors

• Rob T. Guerette, Florida International University

• Kristen Zgoba, New Jersey Department of Corrections

• Laura Salerno, New Jersey Department of Corrections

• Caroline Comerford, Florida International University