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A Dutch study has revealed that women in same-sex relationships are 56% more likely to be suspected of committing crimes than their counterparts in heterosexual relationships. On the flip side, men in same-sex relationships have 32% lower odds of being suspected of criminal activity compared to heterosexual men. The findings were published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior.
Sexual minorities face heightened risks of various forms of adversity. Research consistently shows they are more vulnerable to childhood abuse, crime victimization, substance use issues, and mental health disorders. Tragically, they are also more likely to experience suicidal tendencies.
Interestingly, individuals predisposed to criminal behavior and antisocial actions tend to have higher rates of these same challenges. This suggests a potential link between being part of a sexual minority and being involved in criminal or antisocial activities.
The study, led by Steve G. A. van de Weijer, aimed to explore the relationship between same-sex relationships and criminal activity. The researchers sought to understand whether this connection is general or applies to specific types of crimes. In particular, the study questioned whether people in same-sex relationships might commit certain crimes more or less frequently than those in heterosexual relationships.
Starting from the premise that sexual minorities experience more stress during their upbringing, the researchers hypothesized that these individuals would have a higher likelihood of committing crimes compared to their heterosexual peers. They also theorized that, due to the effects of sexual hormones like testosterone, women in same-sex relationships might have a higher chance of committing crimes, while men in same-sex relationships might have a lower likelihood.
The team used data collected by Statistics Netherlands, a government institution responsible for gathering statistical information. The data included information on whether individuals were in same-sex or heterosexual relationships, as well as their criminal behavior. The study analyzed information from over 3.5 million people, with 2% of them having been in a same-sex relationship at some point (about 75,000 individuals). Between 1996 and 2020, 15% of the participants were suspected of a crime at least once, and 90% of those accused were found guilty or fined.
The results revealed that 22% of men in heterosexual relationships were suspected of a crime at some point, compared to only 14% of men in same-sex relationships. In contrast, 7% of women in heterosexual relationships were crime suspects at least once, while just under 9% of women in same-sex relationships were suspected.
This pattern held true for all crime categories except drug-related offenses. Only 0.5% of women in both heterosexual and same-sex relationships were accused of drug crimes.
“The findings indicate that men in heterosexual relationships are more likely to be suspected of crimes compared to men in same-sex relationships. However, women in same-sex relationships are more likely to be suspected of crimes than their heterosexual counterparts,” the study’s authors concluded.
This research sheds light on the complex relationship between sexual orientation and crime. However, the findings may also depend on cultural and societal contexts, which can differ significantly across regions. Furthermore, not all crimes result in legal consequences, meaning there may be a gap between crimes committed and those prosecuted. This distinction could have influenced the study’s results.
The paper, “Same‑Sex Relationships and Criminal Behavior: A Total Population Study in The Netherlands,” was authored by Steve G. A. van de Weijer, Sjoukje van Deuren, and Brian B. Boutwell.
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