Poster #32 - Characteristics of Sexual Violence Offenders in Clarksville, TN: A Demographic and Spatial Analysis Using Police Data

• In Event: ASC Poster Session I

Abstract

Sexual violence remains a pressing public health and criminal justice issue, with its true prevalence difficult to determine due to widespread underreporting by victims. This study utilizes sexual offense data from the Clarksville Police Department (2019–2021) to examine offender demographics and geographic patterns of reported incidents. A chi-square analysis was conducted to assess relationships between offender characteristics—age, race, and gender—and the type of assault (adult vs. minor victim) across the three-year period. In addition, 2021 data were analyzed to compare offender demographics by patrol zone, focusing on sexual violence against both adults and minors. Results indicate that the majority of offenders identified as white (57.2% for adults; 65.2% for minors) and male (91.9% for adults; 88.2% for minors). Geographic analysis revealed that Zones 1 (14.1%), 4 (13.5%), and 9 (37.6%) accounted for the highest rates of sexual violence against minors. Offender age trends varied by zone, with younger offenders (under 30) more prevalent in Zones 1 and 4, and older offenders (30–39) more common in Zone 9. These findings contribute to a better understanding of offender profiles and spatial distribution, providing law enforcement and public health professionals with actionable insights for targeted intervention and prevention efforts.

Authors

• Anna Leimberg, Austin Peay State University

• Heather Tillewein, Austin Peay State University