Sexual Abuse

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Of the 64,124 cases reported in FY 2023, 1,395 involved sexual abuse. Sexual abuse offenses have increased by 19.7% since FY 2019.[1], [2]

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Individual and Offense Characteristics

 

  • 93.8% of individuals sentenced for sexual abuse were men.
     
  • 55.4% were White, 16.0% were Black, 14.0% were Hispanic, 12.3% were Native American, and 2.2% were Other races. 
    • 72.7% of individuals in cases involving production of child pornography were White.[3] 
    • 50.0% of individuals in cases involving travel for prohibited sexual contact were White and 27.9% were Black.
    • 64.9% of individuals in cases involving criminal sexual abuse (rape) were Native American.[4]
    • 65.2% of individuals in cases involving abusive sexual contact were Native American.
    • 90.7% of individuals in cases involving statutory rape were Native American.
       
  • Their average age was 38 years.
     
  • 96.2% were United States citizens.
     
  • 68.5% had little or no prior criminal history (Criminal History Category I);
    • 8.6% were CHC II;
    • 9.3% were CHC III;
    • 4.6% were CHC IV;
    • 6.1% were CHC V;
    • 2.9% were CHC VI.
       
  • 11.1% of individuals sentenced for sexual abuse were convicted at trial, compared to 2.7% of all other federally sentenced individuals.
     
  • The top five districts for individuals sentenced for sexual abuse were:
    • Middle District of Florida (45);
    • District of South Dakota (42);
    • Eastern District of Virginia (39);
    • Northern District of Texas (37);
    • Eastern District of Michigan (36, tie);
    • Western District of Missouri (36, tie);
    • District of Utah (36, tie).
       

 

Punishment

  • 99.5% of individual sentenced for sexual abuse were sentenced to prison; their average sentence was 213 months.
     
  • The average sentence for individuals convicted of production of child pornography was 272 months:
    • 79.9% of these individuals were convicted of an offense carrying a mandatory minimum penalty; their average sentence was 304 months. The average sentence without a mandatory minimum was 146 months.
       
  • The average sentence for individuals convicted of travel to engage in prohibited sexual conduct with a minor was 155 months:
    • 74.5% of these individuals were convicted of an offense carrying a mandatory minimum penalty; their average sentence was 182 months. The average sentence without a mandatory minimum was 76 months.
       
  • The average sentence for individuals convicted of criminal sexual abuse (rape) was 212 months:
    • 27.7% of these individuals were convicted of an offense carrying a mandatory minimum penalty; their average sentence was 360 months. The average sentence without a mandatory minimum was 156 months.
       
  • The average sentence for individuals convicted of abusive sexual contact was 37 months.
     
  • The average sentence for individuals convicted of statutory rape was 48 months.
     

 

Sentences Relative to the Guideline Range

 

 



 

  • 50.3% of individuals sentenced for sexual abuse were sentenced under the Guidelines Manual:
    • 38.6% were sentenced within the guideline range.
       
    • 5.4% received some other downward departure.
      • Their average sentence reduction was 40.1%.
    • 5.1% received a substantial assistance departure.
      • Their average sentence reduction was 46.4%.
    • 1.2% received an upward departure.
      • Their average sentence increase was 40.7%.
  • 49.7% received a variance; of those individuals:
    • 45.2% received a downward variance.
      • Their average sentence reduction was 34.0%.
    • 4.6% received an upward variance.
      • Their average sentence increase was 33.7%.
         

 

[1] Individuals sentenced for sexual abuse are those convicted of Criminal Sexual Abuse – Rape (§2A3.1), Statutory Rape (§2A3.2), Criminal Sexual Abuse of a Ward (§2A3.3), Abusive Sexual Contact (§2A3.4), Promoting a Commercial Sex Act (§2G1.1), Travel to Engage in Prohibited Sexual Conduct with a Minor (§2G1.3), Production of Child Pornography (§2G2.1), or Child Exploitation Enterprises (§2G2.6).

[2] Cases with incomplete sentencing information were excluded from the analysis.

[3] Production of Child Pornography does not include cases where individuals were convicted of Trafficking in Material Involving the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor; Receiving, Transporting, Shipping, or Advertising Material Involving the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor; Possessing Material Involving the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor with Intent to Traffic; Possessing Material Involving the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (§2G2.2). 

[4] Under the Major Crimes Act (18 U.S.C. § 1153), the federal government has jurisdiction over sexual assault crimes committed by Native Americans in Indian Country.

SOURCE: United States Sentencing Commission, FY 2019 through FY 2023 Datafiles, USSCFY19-USSCFY23.

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