Insights from Offender Narratives: A Qualitative Analysis to Understand Factors Behind Rape

Abstract

A steady increase in occurrence of sexual offense cases has been observed, prompting a need to better understand the underlying psychological factors behind sexually offensive behaviour. The study has a qualitative design, with interviews conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire. 23 respondents convicted of rape participated in the study. Responses were analyzed through narrative and thematic analysis. Six major themes emerged revealing prevalent negative attitudes like victim blaming, a tendency to deny or minimize actions, narcissistic and impulsive tendencies. Additionally, the respondents shared their thought processes behind committing the crime and their perceptions of the punishment they received. This work sheds light on how lack of personal accountability, combined with narcissism, impulsive behaviour, and victim blaming creates a culture in which sexually offending behaviour thrives. It underscores the need for education of real consent, and understanding the legal implications of behaviour. The findings emphasize the urgent need to effectively address systemic social bias against victims of sexual violence in particular and women in general. This study is among the few globally in which convicted perpetrators were asked to address the cause behind their crimes. It has a qualitative design, with verbatim data that gives us first-hand insight into criminal behaviour.