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Women’s Policy Action Summit April 24, 2004. Memphis Area Women’s Council. Women’s Health & Health Care. Issue: Violence Against Women Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault. Domestic Violence : Facts & Figures . Shelby County has 6 th highest rate of domestic homicide in the country
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Women’s Policy Action Summit April 24, 2004 Memphis Area Women’s Council
Women’s Health & Health Care Issue: Violence Against Women Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
Domestic Violence: Facts & Figures • Shelby County has 6th highest rate of domestic homicide in the country • 700-800 cases of domestic violence are reported every month • Just of fraction of cases are reported
Domestic Violence: Facts & Figures • 70% of domestic violence victims are women with a male perpetrator • 86% of victims report prior violence by same perpetrator • 77% of victims never received counseling or support
Domestic Violence: Facts & Figures • Nationally, alcohol is involved with majority of domestic violence reports • Locally cocaine appears to be a significant additional factor • Although batterers intervention may be mandated for perpetrators, dropout rate is high
Sexual Assault: Facts & Figures • 450 adult women likely to report being raped each year • 145 reports per 100,000 women in Memphis • Probably less than 30% reporting
Domestic Violence: Facts & Figures • Young women 13-17 years old at highest risk • Women 13-29 almost twice the risk of older women: 250 reports per 100,000 • Among adult women in Memphis who report, strangers involved half the time
Domestic Violence: Facts & Figures • Non-stranger cases typically not “date rape” • Predatory or opportunistic victimizations by known – but not intimate –perpetrators • 87% “clearance rate” includes cases where victim – for whatever reason – signs a “no-prosecution” form
Violence Against Women: Key Issues • Many cities and states have established protocols for investigation and prosecution of domestic violence and sexual assault • “Family Justice Centers” provide integrated support for survivors • Domestic Violence Courts model best practices • Best practice models for investigation; lethality assessment for DV cases
Violence Against Women: Key Issues • Best practices for training and continuing legal education • VAWO developing national protocol for sexual assault forensic examination
Violence Against Women:Call to Action • Support Shelby County Domestic Violence Council, Memphis Sexual Assault Resource Center and other advocates for sexual assault victims • Pursue reliable criterion and outcomes-based data on “clearance” and “dual arrest” • Check www.memphiswomen.org for updates • Advocate for institutionalization of DV Court • Action Alert coming soon! • Volunteer as DV Court observer • Sign up today!
