Leveraging Geo-Profiling to Address Rape as a Public Health and Criminal Epidemic in the United States

Abstract Rape, as a pervasive societal issue, transcends the boundaries of public safety, criminal justice, legal jurisprudence, and public health, casting a long shadow of fear, trauma, and profound consequences across communities. This article delves into the multifaceted nature of rape, recognizing it not solely as a criminal phenomenon but as a complex public health crisis demanding comprehensive intervention. In response to the imperative of addressing rape and serial rapists as a criminal and public health epidemic, this study introduces an innovative approach that harnesses the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and geo-profiling. Through synthesizing criminological and epidemiological insights, this research elucidates the transformative role of geo-profiling in understanding, preventing and solving rape crimes. Geo-profiling data analytics capabilities are harnessed to dissect the intricate details, patterns and dynamics of rape incidents, offering a data-driven foundation for preventive strategies. Moreover, integrating geo-profiling techniques empowers law enforcement and public health agencies to map high-risk behaviors, areas and optimize resource allocation geographically. This holistic approach advances our understanding of rape as a public health crisis and informs targeted, evidence-based interventions to reduce its prevalence. In a contemporary landscape marked by the imperative of innovation and interdisciplinarity, this article contributes a nuanced perspective to the discourse surrounding rape. By unifying law enforcement, criminal justice, legal, and public health paradigms and harnessing geo-profiling as a powerful tool, we embark on a path to address rape comprehensively, recognizing its profound impact on individuals and society.