Weapon use and sexual abuse outcomes: A multivariate and conjunctive analysis of sexual offenses against women

Abstract

Weapon use in the commission of crimes and its associated outcomes has received much attention in criminology. However, the empirical literature on the relationship between weapon use and specific sexual abuse outcomes in sexual offenses against women is less abundant and characterized by substantial limitations. Drawing on the rational choice approach in criminology, the aim of this study is to further understand weapon use in sexual offenses against women in relation to outcomes of sexual abuse (that is, performance of penile penetration by the offender and performance of forced sexual behaviors by the victim on the offender). As expected, based on data obtained from offenders, multivariate analyses show that weapon use is positively associated with the performance of sexual behaviors by the victim on the offender. The study also identifies high-risk situational contexts leading to different sexual abuse outcomes.