Jun

9

2007 Preliminary Uniform Crime Report (UCR) Data Released by FBI

Filed Under Uncategorized | By Karen Amacker 

…and for the third straight year, the data shows a decline in reported forcible rape across the nation, down 4.3 percent. The trend is not as strong across the entire country – southern states showed only a 2.9 percent decline, and of Texas cities with populations over 100,000 – there are 29 of those in all – 16 actually showed an increase in the number of sexual assault reports in 2007 compared to 2006. The preliminary data can be accessed online here.

TAASA and other rape victim advocacy organizations tend to take UCR data with a grain of salt. The way the FBI tracks it, “forcible rape” includes only reports made to law enforcement of the following type of act:

“Carnal knowledge of a female [gained] forcibly against her will. Assaults or attempts to commit rape by force or threat or force are also included; however statutory rapes (without force) and other sex offenses are excluded.”

On the upside, that UCR data has utilized the same parameters to define “forcible rape” over many, many years makes it easy for advocates, law enforcement and others to compare this data from year to year. On the other hand, this means the data is limited by the following factors:

  • Only rapes reported to law enforcement are included – only one in five Texas rapes are reported to police
  • Excludes sexual assault with penetration by fingers or foreign objects, oral or anal sex
  • Does not include sexual assault of men or boys – one in 20 men in Texas will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime
  • Excludes drug or alcohol facilitated sexual assaults
  • Excludes statutory cases

It is possible that the downward trend in reported forcible rapes is accurate. Several years ago, the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control dramatically increased funding for sexual violence prevention efforts, so it may not be unreasonable to expect that those efforts are beginning to make a tangible difference.

At the same time, while TAASA is hopeful that instances of sexual violence actually are on the decline, we remain concerned that UCR data alone gives an incomplete picture of sexual assault victimization rates across our state or across the country. Much additional research is necessary to monitor sexual violence victimization in Texas and the United States, and we’re hopeful that the Texas Legislature and Congress will recognize and fund these efforts, ensuring that what dollars exist to prevent these violent acts can be spent in the places of greatest need on programs with proven effectiveness.

Finally, as victim advocates, this really begs the question – are rapes really going down, or are fewer being reported?

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Comments

One Response to “2007 Preliminary Uniform Crime Report (UCR) Data Released by FBI”

  1. Charli Schauseil on June 9th, 2008 5:14 pm

    “Finally, as victim advocates, this really begs the question – are rapes really going down, or are fewer being reported?”

    There are fewer reported which is the problem in most areas that advocates deal with including domestic abuse/violence and stalking. I don’t know that there are really reliable figures for domestic abuse/violence and stalking. Many times police officers don’t even file a report.

    Sexual assault or rape of a man of course is considered either pedophilia if they are minors or just a “gay thing” if they are adults. In the case of pedophilia, the victmizer is sent to prison. In the case of the “gay thing” the victim is a “guilty victim.”

    You do have to wonder who comes up with the standards if they do not consider forcible anal intercourse to be rape. It is probably the most violent form of rape.

    Reality is so few rapes are reported in Texas because so few are ever prosecuted particularly in the minority communities.

    Until attitudes change, nothing else will.