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An Examination of Sexual Offenses Against Women by Acquaintances: The Utility of a Script Framework for Prevention Purposes

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Crime Prevention in the 21st Century

Abstract

Although sexual offenses by acquaintances account for the majority of sexual offenses against women, there is currently little evidence of systematic knowledge regarding the crime-commission process involved. To our knowledge, no empirical crime script has been identified for this particular offense. The purpose of this study is to better understand the crime-commission processes involved in sexual offenses against women by acquaintances and identify key intervention points by using crime scripts. This objective is achieved through a qualitative content analysis of 23 Australian court cases in which a crime script comprising eight stages is identified. Potential prevention measures are also underpinned and summarised according to the problem analysis triangle. Some key areas of focus include the isolation process and guardianship. The adaptation of prevention techniques to specific offender-victim relationships is also recommended.

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Correspondence to Yi-Ning Chiu Ph.D. .

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Appendix

Appendix

List of case numbers used in analysis

Number

Case citation

1

QCA 9

2

QCA 12

3

QCA 26

4

QCA 30

5

QCA 48

6

QCA 61

7

QCA 67

8

QCA 76

9

QCA 100

10

QCA 102

11

QCA 116

12

QCA 125

13

QCA 142

14

QCA 198

15

QCA 211

16

QCA 226

17

QCA 244

18

QCA 265

19

QCA 279

20

QCA 290

21

QCA 339

22

QCA 350

23

QCA 501

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Chiu, YN., Leclerc, B. (2017). An Examination of Sexual Offenses Against Women by Acquaintances: The Utility of a Script Framework for Prevention Purposes. In: LeClerc, B., Savona, E. (eds) Crime Prevention in the 21st Century. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-27793-6_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-27793-6_6

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