Violent adult female offenders and their victims

Arrests of women for violent crime have increased while men’s have decreased. The increase is significant because it confirms a trend in an important measure of women’s serious involvement with the criminal justice system. In addition, we do not know if the increase is associated with arrests for offending not typically perpetrated by women, offenses in which their victims are emotionally closest to them: their children, other family members, or intimate partners. To better understand women who resort to violence, this research examined trends and patterns in arrests of women for violent offenses and their victims from 2000-2010. It was found that in the United States and the state of Maryland, surprisingly large percentages of victims of women’s violence do not fit the stereotype suggested by previous research and public perceptions of violent women.Violent Adult Female Offenders and Their Victims Michele Livojevic-Davis Ph.D. Behavioral and Social Sciences, School of Undergraduate Studies, University of Maryland University College, Adelphi, MD 20783 Abstract Women’s increased arrests Analysis Women’s Murder Victims Victim’s Relationship to Offender Analysis confirms a continuation of a trend in UCR data from the 1990’s. From 2000 to 2010 women in the nation as a whole accounted for 17% to 18% of arrests for violent crimes. An increase for females during these 10 years is attributable to the .045% increase in arrests of adult women. While slight, the increase is remarkable because violent arrests decreased for juvenile females as well as juvenile males and adult males. Since 2000 there has also been a 22% increase for women incarcerated in federal and state prisons (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2010). The majority of adults murdered by women were between the ages of 18 and 45. There were 33% more victims 18-25 than any other age cohort within that adult majority The most vulnerable are at risk from homicides by women: Infants and children under 4 are children at most risk of being killed by women in the U.S. and Maryland. For the nation as a whole, people 65 and over are at greater risk than children 7-18. Women are as likely or more likely to kill those who are not closest to them - victims who are not family members or partners. Arrests of women for violent crime have increased while men’s have decreased. The increase is significant because it confirms a trend in an important measure of women’s serious involvement with the criminal justice system. In addition, we do not know if the increase is associated with arrests for offending not typically perpetrated by women, offenses in which their victims are emotionally closest to them: their children, other family members, or intimate partners. To better understand women who resort to violence, this research examined trends and patterns in arrests of women for violent offenses and their victims from 2000-2010. It was found that in the United States and the state of Maryland, surprisingly large percentages of victims of women’s violence do not fit the stereotype suggested by previous research and public perceptions of violent women. 1 | P a g e Fact Sheet Violent Female Offenders & Their Victims, Michele Livojevic-Davis Adult Female Homicide Offender Characteristics Offenders’ Age Women in the U.S. and Maryland are more likely to be arrested for murder if they are between the ages of 18-45 85% to 96% of adult women arrested for murder are between the ages of 18 and 45 and one in three are between 18 and 25. Offenders’ Race/Ethnicity When race is reported as “known” 53% to 60% of women arrested for murder in the U.S. were white. A disproportionate percentage of women 38% to 46% were black. Less than 1% were Hispanic. A majority, 52% to 82%, of women arrested for murder in Maryland were Black from 2000 to 2008. However, the percentage of Black women arrested for murder in Maryland dropped to 44% in 2009. Maryland does not report ethnicity. Weapons Used in the Offense Women used hand guns, knives, or their bodies (hands, feet) when murdering their victims. U.S. Hand guns were used most often, knives or the offender’s bodies were the second and third most often used weapon. Maryland In Maryland hand guns followed by knives, body, or blunt objects were the most often used weapon. Analysis based on Uniform Crime Report Supplementary Homicide Data 2000-2009, FBI, U.S. Department of Justice. 2 | P a g e Violent Female Offenders & Their Victims, Michele Livojevic-Davis Homicide Victim Characteristics U.S. Victims’ Age Children Nearly twice as many children under four than four and over were murder victims. Three of four child victims were under seven. After age seven the percentage of victims decreased to 11% rising to 13% for adolescents 14-17. Adults The majority of adult murder victims were between the ages of 18 and 45. However, there were 33% more victims 18-25 than any other age cohort within that adult majority.1 After age 45 adult murder victims decreased until age 66. The number of victims 66 and over rose to exceed by 20% children and adolescents ages 7 to 17 murdered by women. Maryland Children Although victims’ numbers are small, like the finding for the U.S., infants and toddlers are at most risk among youth and children. Adults 18-25 year-olds were more likely to be adult victims. Maryland’s 66 and over age group did not exceed victim age groups under 18. Victims’ Sex Women murdered more males than females. 1 Adult age cohorts were divided into intervals of three to five years until the age of 65. 3 | P a g e U.S. From 2000-2009 two to three times more males than females were murdered by women. Maryland With the exception of 2005, when male and female victims were equal, males were 2 to 4.6 times more likely to be murdered by women. Victims’ Race and Ethnicity U.S. In the U.S. Black victims ranged from 38% (2007) to 46% (2001). If victims of “unknown ethnicity” are excluded, Hispanic victims ranged from 17% (2001) to 46% (2008). If victims of “unknown ethnicity” are included, possible Hispanic victims could range from .04% (2001) to .08% (2008). Maryland Black victims ranged from 51% (2000) to 94% (2001) Only designates victims as “ethnicity unknown”. Victims’ Relationship to Offender U.S. In the U.S. 45% to 55% of victims were not family members or partners. In 6 of 10 years, the percentage of victims who were not family members or partners equaled or exceeded those who were family members or partners. If the category “friends” are added to the count for victims who were not family members or partners, the gap between the two victim groups is further narrowed.2 Maryland 48% to 61% of victims were not family members or partners. For all 10 years the percentage of victims who were not family members or partners either equaled or exceeded those who were family members or partner