This analysis applies routine activity theory to the risk of rape, using 10 years (1973-82) of NCS data. In addition to univariate analysis describing characteristics of the victimization itself, bivariate and multivariate (discriminant) analyses are employed to assess the risk of rape, comparing 762 rape and attempted rape victims with 2,523 randomly selected non-rape victims. Most characteristics concerning the rape incident itself (e.g., time of day and season) were consistent with routine activity theory. However, the place of occurrence was not. Additionally, discriminant analysis showed that marital status, age, family income, and the number of living units per structure appear to be the strongest predictors of the risk of rape. Unlike most prior research, race was not a factor in the risk of rape, although race was correlated with those factors influencing the risk of rape. Given the fundamental level of these predictor variables, the likelihood of affecting the level of rape through policy appears limited.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Amir, M.1971Patterns In Forcible Rape. Chicago : University of Chicago Press.
2.
Antunes, G.E., F.L. Cook, T. Cook, and W.G. Skogan.1977Patterns of personal crime against the elderly. Gerontologist17,4 (August): 321-327.
3.
Baron, L. and M.A. Straus1987Four theories of rape: A macrosociological analysis . Social Problems34, 5 (Dec): 467-489.
4.
Belknap, J.The Invisible woman: Gender, crime, and Justice. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Publishing Co., forthcoming.
5.
Cohen, L.E. and D. Cantor1980The determinants of larceny: An empirical and theoretical study. Journal Of Research In Crime And Delinquency17,2 (July): 140-159.
6.
Cohen, L.E. and M. Felson1979Social change and crime rate trends: A routine activity approach. American Sociological Review44 (August): 588-608.
7.
Cohen, L.E., J.R. Kluegel, and K.C. Land1981Social inequality and predatory criminal victimization: An exposition and test of a formal theory. American Sociological Review46 (October): 505-524.
8.
Cox, B.G. and J.J. Collins1985Criminal Victimization of District Of Columbia Residents . Washington, D.C.: Bureau of Justice Statistics.
9.
Estrich, S.1987Real Rape. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
10.
Finkelhor, D. and K. Yllo1985Licence to Rape: Sexual Abuse of Wives. NY: The Free Press.
11.
Gabriel, R.M. and G.B. Glavin1978Multivariate data analysis in empirical research: A look on the bright side. Pavlovian Journal Of Biological Science13, 2 (April-June): 93-112.
12.
Garofalo, J.1979Victimization and fear of crime. Journal Of Research In Crime And Delinquency16, 1 (Jan): 80-97.
13.
Gottfredson, M.R.1981On the etiology of criminal victimization. Journal Of Criminal Law And Criminology72, 2 (summer): 714-726.
14.
Greenberg, D.F.1979Mathematical Criminology. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press.
15.
Hindelang, M.J.1976Criminal Victimization In Eight American Cities . Cambridge,Mass: Ballinger.
16.
Hindelang, M.J., M.R. Gottfredson, and J. Garofalo1978Victims Of Personal Crime: An Empirical Foundation For A Theory Of Personal Victimization. Cambridge, Mass : Gallinger.
17.
Klecka, W.R.1980Discriminant Analysis. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage Publications.
18.
Lindquist, J.H. and J.M. Duke1982The elderly victim at risk. Criminology20, 1 (May): 115-126.
19.
Medea, A. and K. Thompson1974Against Rape. New York: Ferrar, Straus, and Giroux.
20.
Messner, S.F. and K. Tardiff1985The social ecology of urban homicide: An application of the "routine activities" approach. Criminology23, 2 (May): 241-268.
21.
Miethe, T.D., M.C. Stafford, and J.S. Long1987Social differentiation in criminal victimization: A test of routine activity/lifestyle theories. American Sociological Review52 (April): 184-194.
22.
O'Brien, R.M.1988Exploring the intersexual nature of violent crimes . Criminology26, 1 (Feb): 151-170.
23.
Russell, D.E.H.1982Rape In Marriage. NY: Macmillan Publishing Co.
24.
1984Sexual Exploitation: Rape, Child Sexual Abuse, And Workplace Harassment. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
25.
Sanders, W.B.1980Rape And Woman's Identity. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
26.
Schram, D.D.1978Rape. In Jane R. Chapman and Margaret Gates (eds.), The Victimization Of Women. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
27.
Short, J.F. and F. Strodtbeck1965Group Process And Gang Delinquency. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
28.
Skogan, W.G.1976The victims of crime: Some National Survey findings . In Anthony L. Guenther (ed.), Criminal Behavior In Social Systems. Chicago: Rand-McNally.
29.
1981Assessing the behavioral context of victimization. Journal Of Criminal Law And Criminology72,2 (summer): 727-742.
30.
Skogan. W.G. and M.G. Maxfield1981Coping With Crime. Beverly Hills, CA : Sage.
31.
Sparks, R.F.1982Research on victims of crime: Accomplishments, Issues, and New Directions. U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. Rockville, MD: NIMH.
32.
Stafford, M.C. and O.R. Galle1984Victimization rates, exposure to risk, and fear of crime . Criminology22, 2 (May): 173-186.
33.
U.S. Department Of Justice1981Criminal Victimization In The United States, 1979. A National Crime Survey Report. Washington, D.C.
34.
Weis, K. and S. Borges1973Victimology and rape: The case of the legitimate victim . Issues In Criminology8, 2 (Fall): 71-115.
35.
Wolfgang, M.1958Patterns In Criminal Homicide. Philadelphia : University of Pennsylvania Press.
