Defining Sexual Assault Nationally

National Incident-Based Reporting System

Both UCR and the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) measure crimes reported to police. As of July 2006, 11 states participated in NIBRS, with another 9 going through a testing and implementation process. Due to the limited number of states under this system, the detailed NIBRS information is actually incorporated into the more limited UCR definitions for national reporting purposes.

NIBRS defines sex offenses as the following:

• Forcible rape: The carnal knowledge of a person forcibly and/or against that person's will, or not forcibly or against that person's will if the victim is incapable of giving consent because of age or because of his or her temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity. This offense includes both male and female victims and threats and attempts.
• Forcible sodomy: Oral or anal sexual intercourse with another person, forcibly and/or against that person's will, or not forcibly or against that person's will if the victim is incapable of giving consent because of age or because of his or her temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity.
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Implementing the National Incident-Based Reporting System: A Project Status Report Identifies significant barriers to full NIBRS participation and promising and cost-effective approaches.

• Sexual assault: Unlawful penetration of the genital or anal opening of the body of another person, forcibly and/or against that person's will, with an instrument or object.
• Forcible fondling: Touching the private body parts of another person forcibly and/or against that person's will. The same limitations apply with respect to victims incapable of giving consent.