Scripts of sex offenses in Canada

• In Event: Poster Session I

Abstract

Knowing where and how sex offenses occur is highly beneficial for criminal investigations. However, modus operandi (MO) of sex offenders, and the sites associated with the commission of such crime, remain unclear to this date. Considering the challenges this type of crime poses to law enforcement, the study aims to identify MOs of sex offenders and crime sites where these crimes tend to occur. The study also investigate the variability of the identified MOs based on the victim’s characteristics (e.g., sex, age, relation with the offenders). In order to do so, the current study analyzes Canadian police-reported crime statistics gathered as part of the annual Uniform Crime Reporting Survey (UCR). More specifically, using latent class analyses, the current study investigates the MOs and crimes sites for 18 158 sex crime events reported to the police in Canada between 2007 and 2011. Additional analyses are also performed to investigate the victim’s characteristics – MOs association. The practical implications for situational crime prevention strategies and police suspect prioritization in sex offenses cases will be discussed.

Authors

• Justine Collin-Santerre, Université Laval

• Nadine Deslauriers-Varin, Université Laval