An Overview of Adult Rape in Nashville

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An Overview of Adult Rape in Nashville
Presented by The Adult Sex Abuse
Unit Metropolitan Police Department Nashville,
Tennessee
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Introduction

• Rape - a frightening crime.
• Who are the victims of rape?
• Who commits the crime of rape?
• When and where do most rapes occur?
• What are the truths about rape what are the
  myths?

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Month, Day Time

• You can be the victim of rape any time of the
  year.

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• Rape occurs every day of the week.

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Rape can occur at any time of day, but occurs
with greater frequency during the late evening
and early morning hours.
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Weapons

• Weapons are used in only 10 of reported rapes.

Cutting Instrument8.47
Firearms1.4
Force or Coercion89
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Reporting Drug Use Relationships

• 29 of those who reported rapes did so over 24
  hours after the incident.
• Drug or alcohol use was indicated in 26 or the
  rapes reported to the Adult Sex Abuse Unit.
• The Victim and the Suspect had some form of
  acquaintance in 69 of the rapes reported.

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Location
74
126
80
83
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Numbers of Rapes by Patrol Zone
West
East
South
Central
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About the Victim
Other
African American
Caucasian
Hispanic
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• Average age of our victims was 29.

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About the suspects
Other
African American
Caucasian
Hispanic
Unknown
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The estimated average age of our offenders was
23.47 years old.
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Summary

• Rape can happen any time of year, with a possible
  increased risk in the fall.
• Rape happens every day of the week, with an
  increased risk on weekends.
• Rapes are most likely to occur during hours of
  darkness, with the greatest number occurring near
  midnight.

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Summary (cont)

• 29 of rapes were reported over 24 hours after
  the incident.
• Only 10 or reported rapes are facilitated by
  weapons. Physical force, trick or intoxication
  are used 89 of the time.
• In 69 of the rapes reported to the Adult Sex
  Abuse Unit the victim and the suspect were
  acquainted to some degree.
• Drugs or alcohol were a factor in 26 of the
  rapes reported to our unit.

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Lowering Your Risk of Being a Victim of Rape

• At Home
• In Public
• Dating and Social Situations
• What To Do If You Are the Victim of a Rape

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At Home

• Never open your door to a stranger.
• Never let a stranger into your home. Utility
  workers, police officers and similar workers will
  not mind if you call to confirm their identities.
• Do not put your name on your door or mailbox.

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Home (contd)

• Be aware of your surroundings as you enter and
  leave your home.
• Install outdoor lighting.
• Install deadbolt locks on all doors. Secure
  windows with track locks.
• Get acquainted with your neighbors - watch out
  for each other.
• If in doubt about safety - call the police.

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In Public

• Walk with purpose and with a confident air.
• When necessary, wait for an escort.
• Avoid blind corners and shrubbery.
• NEVER accept rides from strangers.
• If you suspect someone is following you, go to a
  busy, well lit area.

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In Public (cont)

• Always keep your car locked.
• Park in well lit areas.
• Stay sober and alert.
• Do shopping, etc. during day or early evening
  hours.
• Trust your instincts. If a person or place feels
  dangerous, it probably is. Dont stop and get
  away.

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Dating or Social Situations

• Never tell a blind date or someone you really do
  not know where you live. Meet them at a safe
  place. Always drive your own car.
• Stay sober.
• Do not do drugs.
• Dont leave your drinks unattended. Keep your
  drinks with you or dump them.

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Dating or Social Situations (Cond)

• Dont accept a beverage someone brings you unless
  you watched it being made or you open it
  yourself.
• Go out in groups of friends, and dont leave
  anyone behind.
• Do not go home with strangers or new
  acquaintances, no matter how nice they seem.
• Dont tell strangers or new acquaintances where
  you live.

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What to do if you are a victim of rape.

• Go to a safe place, but if at all possible (only
  if safe) stay at the crime scene (area where rape
  occurred) and wait for police to come to you.
• Dial 911 immediately.
• Do not shower, drink, smoke, or change clothing.

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What to do(cond)

• Do not clean up or alter room / area in any way.
• If you are going straight to the hospital, try to
  bring a change of clothes.

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What Happens After You Dial 911

• A uniformed officer will most likely be the first
  to come to your location.
• If reported within 72 hours of the assault, a
  detective will be called. He or she may come to
  where you are, or directly to the hospital.
• A report will be made to document what has
  happened.

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• A counselor who specializes in assisting victims
  of rape will be called out to talk
  with you.
• If the report is made within 72 hours of the
  rape, a medical legal examination will
  be performed at either Metro General
  or Baptist Hospitals. The exam is
  conducted by specially trained nurse
  practitioners. The purpose of this exam is to
  collect evidence of the rape and to attend to
  your health needs as a result of the assault
  (STDs / pregnancy / injuries sustained). Since
  clothing may have evidence, the
  nurse will most likely collect your clothing.

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• A detective will talk to you at length about
  the assault and may request that you write out
  a statement. The decision whether or not to
  prosecute lies primarily in your hands. Just
  because a report is made, does not mean that
  you have to prosecute.
• Follow up with the detective will be done as
  the case necessitates, including attempting to
  identify the suspect.
• If you have any questions or comments, please
  feel free to call our office at 862-7540.