4. Information on the Timing of Victimizations

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Incident-Based Reporting System, 2011, data from 15 complete reporting states

NIBRS data includes information about the time when the victimization occurred. It also allows for comparisons between when the victimization took place and other variables such as the victim’s age. The figure above plots the ages of sexual assault victims against the time of day when their sexual victimization occurred. For all sexual victimizations reported to NIBRS in 2011,¹ there are distinct time periods when the majority of children and adults are victimized. For children under age 18, more than 57 percent of violent sexual assaults took place between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., with peaks occurring around possible meal or snack times (8 a.m., 12 p.m., and 3 p.m.) After 4 p.m., the frequency of violent sexual assaults of juveniles steadily declined. For adults (age 18 and over), time periods of peak victimization were between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m. By using the data that NIBRS provides regarding victim age, time of victimization, and type of crime, victim service providers and law enforcement officers can develop effective strategies for responding to and preventing these crimes.

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