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  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 years old at highest risk  Women 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

Rhonda’s story…

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 for updates  Advocate for institutionalization of DV Court Action Alert coming soon!  Volunteer as DV Court observer Sign up today!

Violence Against Women: Questions and Discussion