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Rape: the statistics (7/8)

 
© Juliette Michel
Photo : Juliette Michel

At least 25.000 cases of rape in France each year
Only a few more than 8.000 are counted "officially"
(Reportage, July 2000, ARTE)

Below, you will find some additional statistics from the Bulletin 2000 of the Collectif Féministe contre le Viol (1998 statistical report) who hosts the toll-free number SOS Viols 0.800.05.95.95.

In 1998, 1.865 rapes and other sexual aggressions were denounced to this help line. The following data stems from the statistical analyses of these calls (plus ministerial statistics).


Age of the victims at the time of the aggression
(not necessarily at the time of the call)

Adults (> 18) = 32,7 %
Adolescants (15-18) = 11,9 %
Children (< 15) = 45,9 %
Unknown = 9,5 %

Numerous victims who call are adults who talk about an incident that happened when they were children (a fact equally documented by emails exchanged on this website). In 40,9 % of cases, the aggression happened in the past year; in 59,1 %, it happened more than one year ago.

By crossing the relative data about age and sex, we find that :

@ 41% of the victims are girls
@ 10,8 % are adolescents
@ 30,2 % are adult women
@ 4,3 % are boys
@ 1,1 % are adolescents
@ 2,5 % are adult men
to which is added 9,5 % of unknown sex or age


Sex of the victim
Females: 91,2 %
Males: 8,8 %
The average age and the exterior appearance meaning attractive (beauty) or seductive (miniskirt, makeup, high heals ...) are in no way determining factors in the choice of victims by the aggressor (no more than their socio-economic status: contrary to stereotypes, all situations are represented.

Additionally, in 74 % of cases, the victim knows or knew her aggressor (percentage which of course includes rapes against minors - generally committed by someone in the circle of family or friends - but also sexual aggressions committed by the abuse of trust, blackmail, threat, surprise, violence by people that the victims knew - spouse, work colleague, family relation, doctor or caregiver, etc.). As a consequence, the aggressor is a stranger in only 26 % of cases ...


Place of the agression

Home of the victim or the aggressor: 67,7 %
Street: 3,7 %
Woods, highway: 2,2 %
Public transportation: 1,5 %
Parking garage: 0,6 %
Educational Institution: 3,3 %

Sexual aggressions are committed during the day in 45,7 % of cases, at night in 54,3 % of cases.

And the aggressors?

People accused
(1997 Interior Ministry statistics)
Men: 96,3 %
Women: 3,7 %

 In 1996, condemnations for rape and other sexual aggressions counted 14,1 % minors and 5,5 % over 60 years old (Justice Ministry).
Convicted people
(1996 Justice Ministry statistics)
Men: 99 %
Women: 1 %
Studies show that most aggressions are premeditated; a reality which invalidates the claim that rape corresponds to an "irrepressible and uncontrollable impulse ".

  91 % of convicted people are of French nationality

16,8 % belong to medical and paramedical professions
 13,1 % work in education, youth group leaders or young children's activities
 14,8 % are managers (CEO, engineer, politician, bar manager, entrepreneur, department head, ...)
 12,7 % work in law and order (police, military, sheriff, parliamentary attaché, etc.)
... adding up to 57,4 % of convicted people.


The rapist is not mostly a foreigner, or single (living alone), or asocial, or impulsive. In most cases, he is perfectly integrated into society, married (or living with a woman) and with children.

The socio-economic status is not at all a determining factor.


See also Women's Rights 1999 National Study by clicking here
 

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