Sexual Violence Against Marginalized Victims: Choice of Victim or Victim of Choice?

• In Event: Posters I

Abstract

Research shows that sex trade workers are the group most at risk for severe violence and homicide. Based on a sample of 229 violent sex offenders, the current study investigates differences between sexual crimes committed against marginalized and non-marginalized victims. Using a combination of bivariate statistics and logistic regression analyses, the study examines the differences between the two victim types on the modus operandi used by the offender and the context of the crime. Some of the findings show that sex offenders targeting marginalized victims use different strategies when committing their crimes, compared to those that target non-marginalized victims. For example, sex offenders targeting marginalized victims are more likely to react with force to victim resistance, commit intrusive sexual acts (i.e., penetration) on the victim, humiliate the victim, and inflict pre and post-mortem torture on the victim. However, our findings also show that sex offenders targeting non-marginalized victims are more likely to select the victim, use a weapon, kill the victim by strangulation, and leave the victim’s body on her back completely naked. These findings as well as others not only assist police investigation, but also provide a deeper understanding of offender types to further the prevention of sexual violence.

Authors

• Loren Horan, Simon Fraser University

• Eric Beauregard, Simon Fraser University