WISCONSIN SEXUAL ASSAULTS IN 1995NUMBER AND KIND OF ASSAULTS
An estimated 6,101 sexual assaults were reported to law enforcement. This represents a decrease of 7.0% from 1994.
Of all sexual assaults, 32% were the most serious types of offenses (forcible rape, forcible sodomy or assault with an object).
The most common reported offense was forcible fondling at 51% of reports.
17% of all sexual assault offenses were statutory rape.
Four percent of assaults were committed by multiple offenders.
ASSAULT DEMOGRAPHICS
GENDER
Males committed 93.3% of offenses. 84% of victims were female.
67.9% of assaults against males were committed by other males; 32.1% by females.
98.1% of assaults against females were committed by males; 1.97% by other females.
AGE
Seventy-five percent of all sexual assault victims were under 18. Over 68% were 15 years old or younger.
The average age of sexual assault offenders was 25, 10 years older than the average victim.
RACE
The majority of victims (80%) and offenders (71%) were Caucasian.
Intraracial assaults were the most common. Caucasians assaulted Caucasians 87.8% of the time; African-Americans assaulted African-Americans 87% of the time.
RELATIONSHIP
92% percent of all assaults were committed by someone known to the victim, while 8% were committed by strangers.
Family members committed 21.3% of assaults.
Sexual partners committed 13.2% of reported assaults.
57.7% were acquaintances or other known individuals. The remaining 7.7% were strangers.
LOCATION
Sixty percent of assaults took place in the victim's or offender's home.
An additional 9% took place in another residence.
13.3% occurred outdoors or in a vehicle.
5.1% of reported assaults took place at schools or colleges.
DISPOSITION BY LAW ENFORCEMENT
An offender was arrested in 57% of cases.
88% of apprehended offenders were referred to criminal or juvenile court.
Some notes on these statistics:
All of the above statistics are taken from Sexual Assaults In Wisconsin 1995, a May 1996 publication of the Wisconsin Office of Justice Assistance Statistical Analysis Center, 222 State Street, Second Floor, Madison, WI 53702, (608) 266-3323.
These statistics do not encompass any reports deemed "unfounded" by law enforcement agencies. Unfounded does not necessarily mean untrue, rather it means there is insufficient evidence for a finding of assault. According to the FBI, there are no more false reports of sexual assault than of any other crime.
Sexual assault continues to be the most underreported crime, it is estimated that only 5% - 20% of assaults are reported.
This information sheet was compiled in 1997 by the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault (WCASA). WCASA is a membership organization of sexual assault centers, other organizations and individuals throughout Wisconsin who are working to end sexual violence. For information sheets on other topics or to find out how you can join, contact WCASA, 123 E. Main St., Madison, WI 53703, (608)257-1516. For more information about sexual assault or to receive support with a sexual assault experience, contact your local sexual assault program. This sheet may be reproduced.
