Insights and analysis into weapon-enabled sexual offending

Dawson, Paul (2015). Insights and analysis into weapon-enabled sexual offending. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

This thesis aims to investigate the empirical contribution of weapons within sexual offending with an aspiration of informing the two assumptions of offender profiling (e.g., homology and consistency). Chapter 1 explores the weapon literature before adopting offender profiling (broadly themes of 'planning' and 'violence') as a lens to interpret the phenomena. Chapter 2 focuses upon 1618 one-off single-offender single-victim serious sexual assaults. Twenty percent were weapon enabled. Comparing weapon versus non-weapon offenders, findings suggest no demographic differences although numerous around offence conduction. Chapter 3 adopts whether the weapon was found or brought as an innovative test of the homology assumption. There were no demographic differences, but many behavioural between the groups in particular around victim age. Chapter 4 presents a theory led conceptualisation of weapon-enabled sexual offending, results support the focus upon 'planning' and 'violence'. Chapter 5 investigates escalation and consistency of weapon violence within serial sexual offenders. One third of offenders are defined as increasing their use of violence over their series with key variables associated with this increase reported. There was mixed evidence around consistency - although linked 'crime pairs' were more consistent in weapon-related behaviours. The thesis concludes with a discussion of the theoretical and practical implications.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):