OFFENDER-VICTIM INTERACTION AND CRIME EVENT OUTCOMES: MODUS OPERANDI AND VICTIM EFFECTS ON THE RISK OF INTRUSIVE SEXUAL OFFENSES AGAINST CHILDREN

The empirical evidence indicating that sexual offenders against children manipulate their victims to participate in sexual activities dominates the literature on sex offenders and their modus operandi. However, recent evidence suggests that a high proportion of these offenders do not try to persuade their victims for sexual contact in the first place by using coercion or manipulation but simply assault them when an opportunity arises. Using self-reported data from a sample of incarcerated adult sexual offenders against children, we investigate whether sexual offenses against children committed by the use of nonpersuasion are characterized by little planning and by offense features that are indicative of opportunistic offending. We also examine the interaction between the type of offending strategy and the context of abuse. Findings reveal that offenders using nonpersuasion do not seek out potential victims, but rather seize an opportunity to offend. The type of offending strategy also interacts with the context of abuse for most preoffense and offense variables. These interactions are informative of the conditions favoring opportunistic sex offending against children.

Download Full-text

Predictors and Contexts of Unsolved and Solved Sexual Offenses

Crime & Delinquency ◽

10.1177/0011128719879027 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 66 (9) ◽

pp. 1268-1295 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Yi-Ning Chiu ◽

Benoit Leclerc

Keyword(s):

Environmental Crime ◽

Initial Contact ◽

Sexual Offenses ◽

Police Data ◽

Logistical Regression ◽

Conjunctive Analysis ◽

Crime Event

Drawing from perspectives emphasizing environmental crime event components, this study identifies the predictors and contexts of unsolved and solved sexual offenses against women by strangers. Police data were obtained from 542 cases in Queensland. Hierarchical logistical regression was adopted to analyze variables relating to situational, contextual, and offender–victim interaction elements. Common contexts were examined using conjunctive analysis. Cases were significantly likely to remain unsolved if the offender used minimal force, or if the victim was walking outside at the time of initial contact. Conversely, solved cases were significantly associated with offender prior consumption of alcohol/drugs, bystander presence, and vehicle use. Crimes with higher criminal “effectiveness” and lower levels of victim interaction tended to be associated with unsolved sexual offenses.

Download Full-text

Strategic Behavior in Adolescent Sexual Offenses Against Children: Linking Modus Operandi to Sexual Behaviors

Sexual Abuse ◽

10.1177/107906320701900104 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 23-41 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

Benoit Leclerc ◽

Pierre Tremblay

Keyword(s):

Sexual Behaviors ◽

Strategic Behavior ◽

Modus Operandi ◽

Sexual Offenses

Download Full-text

A Qualitative Analysis of Offenders’ Modus Operandi in Sexually Exploitative Interactions With Children Online

Sexual Abuse ◽

10.1177/1079063215612442 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 29 (6) ◽

pp. 563-591 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Juliane A. Kloess ◽

Sarah Seymour-Smith ◽

Catherine E. Hamilton-Giachritsis ◽

Matthew L. Long ◽

David Shipley ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Thematic Analysis ◽

Specific Information ◽

Internet Communication ◽

Modus Operandi ◽

Number Of Children ◽

Sexual Offenses ◽

Naturally Occurring ◽

Qualitative Thematic Analysis ◽

Police Reports ◽

And Function

Transcripts of chat logs of naturally occurring, sexually exploitative interactions between offenders and victims that took place via Internet communication platforms were analyzed. The aim of the study was to examine the modus operandi of offenders in such interactions, with particular focus on the specific strategies they use to engage victims, including discursive tactics. We also aimed to ascertain offenders’ underlying motivation and function of engagement in online interactions with children. Five cases, comprising 29 transcripts, were analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis with a discursive focus. In addition to this, police reports were reviewed for descriptive and case-specific information. Offenders were men aged between 27 and 52 years ( M = 33.6, SD = 5.6), and the number of children they communicated with ranged from one to 12 ( M = 4.6, SD = 4.5). Victims were aged between 11 and 15 ( M = 13.00, SD = 1.2), and were both female and male. Three offenders committed online sexual offenses, and two offenders committed contact sexual offenses in addition to online sexual offenses. The analysis of transcripts revealed that interactions between offenders and victims were of a highly sexual nature, and that offenders used a range of manipulative strategies to engage victims and achieve their compliance. It appeared that offenders engaged in such interactions for the purpose of sexual arousal and gratification, as well as fantasy fulfillment.

Download Full-text