Introduction
Sexual violence involves extensive arrays of behaviours committed against both adults and
children (Australian Bureau of statistics, 2018). Consistent attempts within the last 30 years have
amplified individuals perceptions about sexual violence by confronting the conception that it is
merely a personal matter (Australian Bureau of statistics, 2018). Sexual assault is a dominant
issue that is becoming more prevalent and it is the central element of sexual violence (Australian
Bureau of statistics, 2018). This essay will focus on sexual assaults and attempted sexual assaults
that transpire in numerous Suburban and Northern parks in Australia; the assaults that occurred
during winter and summer season will also be discussed; elaborating on ways in which these
explicit assaults can be prevented and minimised using crime patterns, and crime prevention
theory with the objective to alter crime opportunities.
A crime can be described as an offence which can be justified through punishment or community
condemnation, generally through incarceration or fine (Legal services commission of South
Australia, 2022). Approximately, about one in five women are expected to experience rape in
their lifespan, with the highest rate occurring at the age of 25 (Senn, Barata, Eliasziw, Hobden,
Radtke, Thurston, & Newby-Clark, 2022). Sexual assault is considered as a form of sexual
violence that entails the intention to physically contact, normally one that is sexual in nature
committed against the person’s choice, utilising intimidation, physical force or coercion
(Australian Institute of health and welfare, 2020). It may be aggravated type which comprises
indecent assault, rape, assault with the presence of a weapon, penetration using objects, sexual
activity by force where penetration did not occur, efforts to force an individual into sexual
activity; or it could be non-aggravated kind which involves indecent assault with the absence of
aggravation or intimidation of sexual activity (Australian Institute of health and welfare, 2020).
Sexual assault that is aggravated is generally non-consensual, whereby the victim does not issue
consent to that explicit activity or the victim may be too young to legitimately give consent
(Australian Institute of health and welfare, 2020). With regard to non-aggravated and aggravated
sexual assault, both are regarded as serious offences according to the Territory and state criminal
code (Australian Institute of health and welfare, 2020). Sexual assault is considered as one of the
foremost leading issue impacting the health and welfare of various women both in Australia and
, worldwide (Australian Institute of health and welfare, 2020). For numerous victims, the
repercussions can be extensive and lifelong; they endure prolonged mental health issues,
physical injuries and disturbance in relation with their activities for instance sleeping and eating
practices (Australian Institute of health and welfare, 2020). In accordance with the Australian
Bureau of Statistics (ABS), results from individual safety survey shows that about 2 million
Australian adults reported 1 form of sexual assault from the age of 15 based on the 2016 data
(Australian Institute of health and welfare, 2020).
There were more than 200,000 Australian adults who had experience sexual assault with the
previous 12 months before the survey commence which was about 1.1% compared to the 0.7%
statistics from 2012 (Australian Institute of health and welfare, 2020). Sometimes, dangerous
situation is something that cannot be eluded and resisting in the most constructive manner may
result in no change (Allen, & Meadows, 2017). However, utilising assertive physical strategy
such as running away, being hostile and using verbal resistance for example yelling stop, these
schemes are interlinked with higher probability of evading completed rape in comparison with
using passive tactics and diplomatic strategies for example pleading or reasoning, thus the use of
bodily violence against the perpetrator is the most successful strategy when opposing sexual
assault (Allen, & Meadows, 2017).When a woman is threatened by an acquaintance this is when
she integrates challenging relationship goals, concerns and safety goal in relation with their
social status when choosing resistance approaches (Allen, & Meadows, 2017).
Conforming to research studies, knowing the perpetrator can lead to ineffective use of diplomatic
strategies as a result of trying to safeguard the relationship, however having the capacity to be
confident in one’s ability can result in effective resistance by being verbally and physically
dominant (Allen, & Meadows, 2017). Data illustrates that this phenomenon is an issue that is
experienced by countless women signifying that sexual assault does not recognise gender, age or
racial boundaries (Mason, & Lodrick, 2013). About 87% of those circumstances, the perpetrator
is well-known to the victim (Cripps, 2021). The repercussions occurring post-trauma effects the
victims ability report; approximately 9 out of the 10 instances that involve sexual assault goes
unreported; even when some of those instances are reported less than 30% of these cases lead to
indictment, arrest, citation or even litigation (Cripps, 2021). The magnitude of sexual assault
experienced by Indigenous people has been the topic of focus that necessitates inquiries from
both national and international perspective (Cripps, 2021). Furthermore, according to literature
review, crimes tend to occur as result of various seasonal patterns for example, crimes such as
motor vehicle, household larceny and burglary and various forms of violence such as robbery,
sexual assault, aggravated assault, rape and simple assault (Lauritsen, & White, 2014). Other
Sexual violence involves extensive arrays of behaviours committed against both adults and
children (Australian Bureau of statistics, 2018). Consistent attempts within the last 30 years have
amplified individuals perceptions about sexual violence by confronting the conception that it is
merely a personal matter (Australian Bureau of statistics, 2018). Sexual assault is a dominant
issue that is becoming more prevalent and it is the central element of sexual violence (Australian
Bureau of statistics, 2018). This essay will focus on sexual assaults and attempted sexual assaults
that transpire in numerous Suburban and Northern parks in Australia; the assaults that occurred
during winter and summer season will also be discussed; elaborating on ways in which these
explicit assaults can be prevented and minimised using crime patterns, and crime prevention
theory with the objective to alter crime opportunities.
A crime can be described as an offence which can be justified through punishment or community
condemnation, generally through incarceration or fine (Legal services commission of South
Australia, 2022). Approximately, about one in five women are expected to experience rape in
their lifespan, with the highest rate occurring at the age of 25 (Senn, Barata, Eliasziw, Hobden,
Radtke, Thurston, & Newby-Clark, 2022). Sexual assault is considered as a form of sexual
violence that entails the intention to physically contact, normally one that is sexual in nature
committed against the person’s choice, utilising intimidation, physical force or coercion
(Australian Institute of health and welfare, 2020). It may be aggravated type which comprises
indecent assault, rape, assault with the presence of a weapon, penetration using objects, sexual
activity by force where penetration did not occur, efforts to force an individual into sexual
activity; or it could be non-aggravated kind which involves indecent assault with the absence of
aggravation or intimidation of sexual activity (Australian Institute of health and welfare, 2020).
Sexual assault that is aggravated is generally non-consensual, whereby the victim does not issue
consent to that explicit activity or the victim may be too young to legitimately give consent
(Australian Institute of health and welfare, 2020). With regard to non-aggravated and aggravated
sexual assault, both are regarded as serious offences according to the Territory and state criminal
code (Australian Institute of health and welfare, 2020). Sexual assault is considered as one of the
foremost leading issue impacting the health and welfare of various women both in Australia and
, worldwide (Australian Institute of health and welfare, 2020). For numerous victims, the
repercussions can be extensive and lifelong; they endure prolonged mental health issues,
physical injuries and disturbance in relation with their activities for instance sleeping and eating
practices (Australian Institute of health and welfare, 2020). In accordance with the Australian
Bureau of Statistics (ABS), results from individual safety survey shows that about 2 million
Australian adults reported 1 form of sexual assault from the age of 15 based on the 2016 data
(Australian Institute of health and welfare, 2020).
There were more than 200,000 Australian adults who had experience sexual assault with the
previous 12 months before the survey commence which was about 1.1% compared to the 0.7%
statistics from 2012 (Australian Institute of health and welfare, 2020). Sometimes, dangerous
situation is something that cannot be eluded and resisting in the most constructive manner may
result in no change (Allen, & Meadows, 2017). However, utilising assertive physical strategy
such as running away, being hostile and using verbal resistance for example yelling stop, these
schemes are interlinked with higher probability of evading completed rape in comparison with
using passive tactics and diplomatic strategies for example pleading or reasoning, thus the use of
bodily violence against the perpetrator is the most successful strategy when opposing sexual
assault (Allen, & Meadows, 2017).When a woman is threatened by an acquaintance this is when
she integrates challenging relationship goals, concerns and safety goal in relation with their
social status when choosing resistance approaches (Allen, & Meadows, 2017).
Conforming to research studies, knowing the perpetrator can lead to ineffective use of diplomatic
strategies as a result of trying to safeguard the relationship, however having the capacity to be
confident in one’s ability can result in effective resistance by being verbally and physically
dominant (Allen, & Meadows, 2017). Data illustrates that this phenomenon is an issue that is
experienced by countless women signifying that sexual assault does not recognise gender, age or
racial boundaries (Mason, & Lodrick, 2013). About 87% of those circumstances, the perpetrator
is well-known to the victim (Cripps, 2021). The repercussions occurring post-trauma effects the
victims ability report; approximately 9 out of the 10 instances that involve sexual assault goes
unreported; even when some of those instances are reported less than 30% of these cases lead to
indictment, arrest, citation or even litigation (Cripps, 2021). The magnitude of sexual assault
experienced by Indigenous people has been the topic of focus that necessitates inquiries from
both national and international perspective (Cripps, 2021). Furthermore, according to literature
review, crimes tend to occur as result of various seasonal patterns for example, crimes such as
motor vehicle, household larceny and burglary and various forms of violence such as robbery,
sexual assault, aggravated assault, rape and simple assault (Lauritsen, & White, 2014). Other
