Exploring the relationship between strip clubs and rates of sexual violence and violent crime

Aims We examined whether (a) the number of strip clubs per capita and (b) the proportion of clubs with “high‐risk characteristics” were significantly associated with rates of sexual violence (SV) and other violent crime at the county level. Methods Using large, public data sets, we tested effects across 926 counties (13 U.S. states), controlling for percent below the poverty line and alcohol outlets per capita. Results We found that rates of strip clubs were significantly associated with violent crime, but not SV, in all but one model (accounting for Saturday hours). Counties with greater proportions of “high‐risk” strip clubs (i.e., greater days and hours of operation, drink specials, full‐nudity policies, or private rooms) have higher rates of SV. All models, except the full‐nudity policy model, demonstrated increased rates of violent crime. Conclusions These results provide information for community‐level violence prevention and equips stakeholders with information to create safer communities.