The victim-offender overlap in sexual violence : a comparative study among victims, perpetrators, and victim-perpetrators

Abstract

Although extant research has examined the underlying factors of the victim-offender overlap, the complex nature is not fully captured as the factors tend to be more explanatory for perpetration or victimization. Moreover, there is a tendency to focus on broad crime definitions using confidence samples. This paper aimed to distinguish between the characteristics of only-victims, only-perpetrators and victim-perpetrators of hands-on sexual violence to provide a richer understanding of the underlying factors. Based on a Belgian national representative survey, the categories were compared in light of demographic characteristics, resilience, the strength of their social network and mental health. The results indicated that men with a migration background, without a partner, who ever exhibited self-harming behaviors were more likely to be victim-perpetrators than victims. Furthermore, women with higher levels of social contacts were more likely to be victim-perpetrators than only-perpetrators. These results show that mental health and social support (i.e. partner) play an important role in the victim-offender overlap. Hence, social and rehabilitation services should take this into account when organizing assistance for victims, perpetrators and victim-perpetrators. Rehabilitation programs should for example not only focus on lowering recidivism rates, but attention should also be paid to the mental state of (victim-)perpetrators.