Introduction: What Is a Sexual Murder and Who Are Sexual Homicide Offenders?

Abstract

Sexual violence is a serious event and is generally considered to be both a violation of human rights and a public health concern. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), sexual violence is defined as “any sexual act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, unwanted sexual comments or advances, or acts to traffic, or otherwise directed, against a person’s sexuality using coercion [i.e., physical force, psychological intimidation, or threats of physical harm], by any person regardless of their relationship to the victim, in any setting, including but not limited to home and work”. In addition, sexual violence can be distinguished as being either instrumental or expressive in nature. Instrumental violence is often invoked when an individual is interested in having something that he/she currently lacks but that another individual possesses (e.g., physical assaults in the context of robbery). Expressive violence, in contrast, is largely a reaction to anger or provocation, with the ultimate intention being to injure the victim (e.g., a bar brawl). The nature of violence is even more severe when cases of sexual assault eventually lead to the death of the victim.