The prevalence and nature of violent offending by females

Author: Koons-Witt, B. A. / Schram, P. J.
Publication: Journal of Criminal Justice
Topics: Crime Criminology Ethnicity Gender
Keywords: Violence co-offending gun crime violent offence
Bibliographic information +

The authors examined the nature and prevalence of violence crimes by females and the relationship between co-offending and type of offense, using National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) data from 1998. Females, especially those who commit their crimes alone, are more likely to be involved in aggravated assaults compared with robberies and murder. When females have a partner in crime, they are more likely to commit robberies. Females alone are more likely to be involved in violent crimes where either personal weapons or knives are used, but with male partners, their involvement in gun crimes becomes more likely. Black females were more likely to commit violent offenses with other females, whereas White females were more likely to commit violent offenses with males.