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Sexual Assault in North Dakota and Montana: Impact of Oil Development  


Author:  Dheeshana Jayasundara.; Elizabeth Legerski.; Fran S. Danis.


Source: Volume 10, Number 04, Spring 2018 , pp.63-72(10)




Family & Intimate Partner Violence Quarterly

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Abstract: 

The enhanced income and improved tax base that oil and gas development projects bring to rural communities come with a price, including an increase in violent crimes like sexual assault. This article provides data from a study conducted in the Bakken region of North Dakota and Montana, which asked participants to report on their perceptions of increases in sex and other crimes in those geographic regions between 2002 and 2014. Unsurprisingly, the respondents reported seeing a rise in a variety of crimes, including sexual assault. The authors also describe what participants stated about what caused those crimes, for example, the gender radio imbalance—since far more males than females live in these communities--substance abuse, lack of affordable housing, and other features characteristic of oil-boom towns.

Keywords: Changes in Sexual Assault Patterns Due to Oil Impact; Service Provider Capacity Issues

Affiliations:  1: California State University; 2: University of North Dakota; 3: University of Texas at Arlington.

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