Does Gender Change Things? Analysis of the Difference Between Male and Female Violent Crime for Solo and Co-Offenders

Abstract

The narrowing of the gender gap among violent male and female offenders has led to inquiry of the relationship between gender and violent co-offending relationships. This study examines the relationship between offender/offense and victim characteristics to offender categories: solo or co-offender, offender categories according to number and gender, and the presence of a female offender (no female, one female, or two females) using official National Incident-Based Reporting System data. The findings indicate that co-offenders were significantly more likely than solo offenders to have multiple victims. Incidents involving at least one female offender are more likely to have multiple victims and at least one female victim. Several factors were significantly related to incidents involving more severe offenses: a lack of the presence of a female offender, co-offenders, suspected weapon use, an offender who is a minority, male victim, victim is not related to the offender(s), and a solo victim. As the gender gap among violent offenders continues to narrow, this relationship indicates that the number of female victims of violent crime is likely to increase.