Profiles of Perpetrators of Intimate Partner Sexual Violence, Their Sentencing Outcomes, and Risks in Recidivism

Abstract

Historically, intimate partner sexual violence (IPSV) is characterized by more physical violence and coercive behaviours and is often categorized as either intimate partner violence (IPV) or sexual violence (SV; Thomas et al., 2022). Thus, when IPSV cases are enveloped with other sexual assaults perpetrated by non-partners, they are often treated less seriously (Lynch et al., 2019). Even if the case leads to possibly prosecuting the perpetrator, there are many legal challenges (e.g., absence of witnesses, perceived credibility of the victim; Lynch et al., 2019), and the sentencing outcome is often considerably less harsh than seen in cases not involving intimate partners or SV (Bielen et al., 2022). As such, the current study aims to examine whether 1) there are differences in the characteristics of the index offence and perpetrator, sentencing features (i.e., aggravating and mitigating circumstances), sentencing outcomes, and level of risk in reoffending of SV, IPV, and IPSV perpetrators; and 2) whether some of these factors are associated with the severity of sentencing decisions more than the other factors. It is hypothesized that IPSV perpetrators will have committed more severe/violent offences, have more aggravating circumstances (e.g., no remorse), and are more likely to reoffend than SV and IPV perpetrators. The findings of this study will add to the growing body of literature investigating IPSV. Given that previous research suggests that IPSV cases tend to receive lighter sentences, we hope to identify and uncover any factors that may bias the judge’s sentencing decisions and, therefore, address or mitigate such bias.

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sandy Jung