NCJ Number
114910
Journal
Journal of Quantitative Criminology Volume: 4 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1988) Pages: 275-288
Date Published
1988
Length
14 pages
Annotation
Although rape is commonly viewed as a street crime, a substantial proportion of rapes occurs inside homes following an unlawful entry. Because rape and burglary share a common locus in the home, it is hypothesized that they will exhibit a similar opportunity structure.
Abstract
Thus, characteristics that place a particular type of home or householder at risk of burglary also should place (female) residents at greater risk of rape. An analysis of uniform Crime Report rates and census-derived opportunity variables for 155 standard metropolitan statistical areas supports this conclusion. Rape and burglary rates were correlated across areal units. Opportunity variables related to the one offense were also related to the other (e.g., housing units built before 1940, female householders, housing with more than five units), and controlling for such opportunity variables reduced the correlation between the two crimes. It is concluded that home-intrusion rape is a violent crime with the opportunity structure of a property crime. 2 tables and 32 references. (Author abstract modified)