Worcester, MA (February 15, 2012) - The forcible rape statistics recently release by Worcester Police Department has resulted in some requests for additional information. It is important to have a clear understanding that the statistical data represents only reported incidents and meet a strict definition of forcible rape. Forcible rape is defined by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Uniform Crime Report (UCR) as the carnal knowledge of a female, forcibly and against her will. Attempts or assaults to commit rape by force or threat of force are also included in this definition of rape; however statutory rape (without force) and other sex offenses are excluded.

In 2011, detectives investigated approximately 280 sexual assault cases in which 41 fell within the definition of forcible rape as defined in the UCR. The remainder of the cases did not meet the strict definition. These cases did involve other criminal sexual assaults to include, but not limited to, Assault with Intent to Rape, Open and Gross Lewd Behavior, and Rape by Drugging. These serious violations of the Massachusetts General Laws were fully investigated and cases were prosecuted.

The initial reporting of forcible rape to the FBI was delayed because of a backlog of cases. The Worcester Police Department had a large number of cases last year that required a supervisory review before submitting the data to the FBI. The department needed to insure, through thorough evaluations that these cases fit the UCR definition of forcible rape. Therefore, there was a slight delay in the initial submission of statistical data to the FBI and the data was incomplete at the time required for UCR publication.

The forcible rape statistics recently released to the public for the calendar year 2011 are accurate and complete. Furthermore, the Worcester Police investigative report conforms to FBI classifications of forcible rape as defined in the UCR.

It is anticipated that the reported number of forcible rapes as defined by the UCR will increase when the FBI changes the UCR definition of rape. The new definition will count men as victims for the first time and drop the requirement that victims must have physically resist their attackers.

It is a priority for the Worcester Police Department to thoroughly investigate all cases of sexual assault. The department recognizes that there are incidents of sexual assault that go unreported. The public should have confidence that the Worcester Police Department fully investigates all reported incidents of sexual assault.