What if someone were to tell you that the people you are closest to are the ones that can hurt you the most?
In recent years, sexual crimes have been fluctuating: Sex offenses have been on the rise. A reason for that? Growing up, we were taught that strangers were the ones that we had to watch out for. But when it comes to sex offenses, it is your own family and friends. “Stranger danger” does not always apply to sex offenses within your community.
In a study conducted by the Victim Advocate Program with help from Meghan May of Mount Vernon Nazarene University, sexual assault cases from the Knox County Prosecutor’s Office showed that 83% of such crimes were committed by those we consider family and friends. This is an extremely high number for heinous sexual crimes that are committed.
The reason why sexual crimes are family- and friend-oriented is due to the fact that these friends and family members have already gained our trust. We tend to rule these people out because we trust them. But when this act is committed against you, who is the family going to believe? How could your family believe that your own family member did this to you?
In data collected from 2014 to 2019 for adult cases, 40% of sexual crimes were committed solely by family members (fathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers); 43% were committed by friends, significant others or neighbors; 10% were online friends (Facebook/dating apps); 5% were committed by people who were considered acquaintances and 2% were committed by strangers. These percentages were from 63 cases that the Knox County Prosecutor’s Office indicted.
The average age of the person committing the above crimes was between 18 and 30 (32 total cases), with a decline between the ages of 31 to 49 (13 cases) and a rise when the perpetrator was 50-plus (17 cases). The average age for victims was 13–17 (30 cases), while victims who were 0–12 years old appeared in 22 cases. Lastly, there were only 16 cases in which the victim was 18-plus years of age.
In a separate study conducted for juvenile sex offenses committed from 2014 to 2019, 56% of the cases were committed by family members; 36% were committed by friends, significant others or classmates; 4% were committed by online friends and 4% were committed by strangers. This data was also collected from Knox County cases.
In this study, there were only 25 juvenile sex cases. Of the 25 cases, none of them went to trial: Six were dismissed and 19 juveniles pled guilty. The age of the perpetrator was not as distinctive as the adult study. In seven of the cases in the juvenile study, the perpetrator was between 9 and 13 years old, in eight cases the perpetrator was 14–15, and in ten of the cases the perpetrator was 16–17 years old.
What should be very eye opening in the juvenile data is that there were 12 cases in which the victim was between 4 and 8 years old. There were also 12 cases in which the victim was between the ages of 9 and 15, while there were only two cases in which the victim was above 16 years of age.
With the recent rise in sexual offenses, it is important to realize where these offenses manifest. This article is not saying that sexual crimes occur in all families. But it is important to be present in people’s lives.
To the people who are experiencing this, don’t be afraid to reach out. There are many resources that are available within our community.
To parents, this could be happening to your child. What is most important is that you be involved in their life.
To the people of the community, check in with people to see how they are doing. What we do not realize in today’s society is that a simple conversation can make a difference in our lives and way of thinking.
The purpose of this article was to raise awareness of the issues that are happening around us which tend to not be noticed until years later. Be a voice within your community, and let’s raise awareness to help end sexual assault.
The information provided in these studies is from cases brought by The Knox County Prosecutor’s Office. The Victim Assistance Program is a federal- and state-funded program that serves to provide crime victims with the information and emotional support necessary to make their way through the process of seeking justice.
April is Sexual Awareness Month. If you have been a victim, please report it. If you know someone who is a victim, let them know that there are people who can help. For more information, contact Diana Oswalt, director/advocate for the Knox County Victim Assistance Program, via email at dianaoswalt@knox.co.oh.us, or by phone at 740-397-3404.
