The real reason August is the worst month for sexual assaults

The real reason August is the worst month for sexual assaults. August. 01, 2012 06:10. neo@donga.com.

Most sexual assaults occur in summer, with August typically having the highest incidence. More often than not, this leads to the misunderstanding that women must take partial responsibility because of the revealing clothes they wear.

Experts say, however, that the higher sexual assault rate in summer has little to do with provocative clothes but more with seasonal factors since many people stay outside at night.

○ Sexual assaults in summer double that of winter

Among 19,839 sexual assault cases in 2010, 2,263 occurred in August, followed by 2,211 in July. These two months accounted for 22.6 percent of the year`s sexual crimes, double the 11.6 percent for January and February combined. The combined figure in June, July and August was 1.2 times that in spring time and 1.3 times that in autumn.

Between 2006 and 2010, sexual assaults in summer accounted for the lion`s share of 31 percent, followed by 25 percent in spring, 24 percent in autumn, and 18 percent in winter.

Sexual assaults against children and those in their teens are also known to peak in summer. Last year, among sexual assaults against people under age 13, 37 percent occurred in summer, followed by 26 percent in autumn, 24 percent in spring, and 11 percent in winter. Those over age 13 also had the highest rate of sexual offenses in summer at 33.8 percent, double the rate for winter at 17.8 percent.

Violent crimes such as murder and robbery have little to do with seasonal factors. In 2010, 26 percent of murder cases in Korea happened in summer, showing a similar level as that in spring and autumn and 1.2 times that in winter. Robbery cases in summer accounted for just 22.6 percent, the lowest among the four seasons.

○ A season where targets are easily picked

Experts say sexual assaults are especially high in summer because offenders can easily search for targets. More sunshine enables people to stay longer outside, and women are less scared to stay out at night. As for offenders, they have more time to observe targets and take action. Sex offenders attack vacationers at beaches and parks who stay there until late at night. This situation often causes offenders to feel motivated.

Lee Woong-hyeok, a public administration professor at Korea National Police University, said, "Sex offenders have distorted sexual fantasies, and when they meet factors that drive their desire, they take impulsive action."

Sexual crimes are likely to happen more in summer also as people open their windows or doors to beat the heat. Sex offenders target homes where women live alone or low-income families who cannot afford air conditioners.

Lee Su-jeong, professor of physical sciences at Kyonggi University, said, "Sexual crimes are closely related with security conditions, not women`s revealing clothes, adding, "Women living in the affluent areas in southern Seoul wear revealing clothes more, but sexual crimes occur the most in northern Seoul areas where low-income households are concentrated."

To avoid the heat at night, many Koreans sleep in tents at parks or are careless about locking their doors when sleeping away from home. To sex offenders who are always looking for chances, this environment is very appealing.