TPD Sees Increase In Reported Rapes Against Homeless Women

The Tulsa's sex crimes unit said, recently, they're seeing an increase in the number of homeless women reporting rapes. They said they've seen half a dozen cases in the past two weekends.

Police said, from time to time, they do see victims who are transient or homeless, but they've really seen a spike in those cases recently, and that has them concerned.

Sergeant Brian Carlisle with Tulsa police said, "These suspects, they're predators, and one of the things they look for is vulnerable victims."

Few people are more vulnerable than women living on the streets and those with mental illness - they're often walking or are in isolated areas, which make them easier to grab.

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Unlike most rapes in Tulsa, where the victim knows her attacker, these rapes are almost always committed by a stranger.

Carlisle said, "Most common, what we see is it starts as a casual encounter - they offer them a ride or a cigarette, stop and talk to the victim to start to build rapport or a relationship."

Police said it's really important to stay in shelters where there are large groups of people.

They said if you have to be out and about, then remember there is safety in numbers - don't go by yourself walking, have somebody with you. Also, as tempting as it is, don't accept a ride from a stranger.

Police said rapists often think homeless women won't report the crime, and if they do they won't be believed, but, we've seen men arrested recently for preying on these types of victims.

Detectives encourage women to report the crime and encourage citizens to be on the lookout for what might seem like a scuffle or a woman being forced into a vehicle and report that too.

Police in the sex crimes unit and the district attorney special victims unit said these women will be listened to and believed, and their cases will be prosecuted whenever possible.