Rape in Alabama

Yes, rape is a big problem in Alabama. 

Here are some of the most recent statistics concerning rape in our state and service area:

It is estimated that 1 out of every 9 adult women, or about 200,000 adult women in Alabama, has been the victim of rape sometime in her lifetime.3

Throughout the state there were 1,567 rapes reported to law enforcement in 2002.  This is a 17% increase over 2001.  Of those reported, 44% were cleared by arrest.1

On average, there were 4.3 rapes reported each day.1

Twenty-five (25) percent of rapes reported in Alabama were reported in our service area.  In Jefferson County, there were 334 rapes reported to law enforcement.  Sixty (60) rapes were reported in the other counties served by Rape Response: Blount (11), Chilton (8), St. Clair (11), Shelby (23), and Walker (7).1

The average age of the rape victim was 22 with a range from 2 to 90 years.1

Juvenile female victims accounted for 49% of the cases.  In 11% of the cases, the offender was also a juvenile.1

Of Alabama rape victims, 56% were white, 42% were black, and 2% were of other or unknown race.1

The victim and the offender knew or were related to each other in 69% of the rapes.1

Victims reported no other injuries from the rape in 77% of the cases, and 50% submitted to a medical exam.1

During 2003, the Crisis Center's Rape Response served 622 victims of sexual victimization.  Rape Response also served 166 of the victims' family and friends.2

The Crisis Center's SANE Facility conducted 247 forensic examinations.2

The Crisis Center's Rape Response answered 1,902 calls on the 24-hour crisis line, responded to 294 requests for medical advocacy, 25 requests for criminal justice advocacy, provided 260 individual crisis counseling sessions, and facilitated 35 support groups.  Rape Response also provided 502 presentations to 20,127 people.2

REFERENCES

1 Crime in Alabama, 2002

2 Rape Response, 2003

3 Rape in Alabama: A Report to the State, National Violence Against Women Prevention Research Center, 2003