Descriptive Analysis of Sexual Assaults in Anchorage, Alaska

January 2000

Descriptive Analysis of Sexual Assaults in Anchorage, Alaska

Alaska generally and Anchorage specifically have been plagued by the incidence of sexual assaults. As the data below demonstrate, Anchorage routinely ranks among cities with the highest incidence of forcible rape and sexual assault. This study is an initial effort to begin the process of understanding sexual assault in Anchorage so that criminal justice practitioners, service providers, and policy makers might have a more complete understanding of this scourge. We trust that improved understanding will provide a foundation that leads to more effective crime prevention and service delivery.

This report describes the findings of a review of sexual assault incidents (N=541) that were reported to the Anchorage Police Department during the period between January 2000 and December 2001. The report is descriptive in that it describes the gravity of the problem by comparison to other jurisdictions, the characteristics of victims and suspects, the nature of the relationship between victim and suspects, and characteristics of the assault. The aim for the report is to provide an initial description of the problem as a guide for future inquiry.

Gravity of the Problem: How Does Anchorage Compare?
As defined in the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program, forcible rape is “the carnal knowledge of a female forcibly and against her will” (Crime in the United States, 2001). Attempted forcible rapes are also included in the UCR’s measure. Figure 1 displays the rates of forcible rape from 1982 to 2001 for the United States, Alaska, and Anchorage.

In 2001, the state of Alaska had the highest rate of forcible rape among the 50 states (78.9 per 100,000) and Anchorage had the fifth highest rate of forcible rape among metropolitan statistical areas in the U.S. (79.7 per 100,000; Crime in the United States, 2001). From 1982 to 2001, the average rate of forcible rape per 100,000 in Anchorage was 82.01 (s = 14.49) while the average rate in the United States was 39.95 (s = 3.27). Stated differently, the rate of forcible rape per 100,000 in Anchorage was, on average, 122.39 percent higher than the U.S. rate (s = 0.37). ..more.. by André Rosay -and- Robert H. Langworthy