Sexual Offences and Partner Assault

Violent offences can result from a range of motives, which sometimes appear to be of a relatively simple and fairly obvious nature. That applies particularly to offences that are reactive, the result of expressive or emotional aggression: a person who is provoked or threatened responds almost automatically. In other situations, motives may be wholly instrumental: individuals plan to use violence, or are prepared to use violence, to achieve other ends. In many more cases, however, there is a complex mix of these two patterns. This chapter will focus on serious crimes that entail some form of aggression towards or disregard for others, and in which the offences committed take a number of particular forms, usually combining reactive and instrumental aggression. In the course of the chapter we will focus on a succession of offence categories, including: rape, sexual assault and related offences against adults and children; domestic or intimate partner violence; and harassment and stalking.