Reported Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Way Up

Posted by Melissa McEwan, Shakesville at 11:00 AM on December 22, 2008.

Holy hell:

A new government report showing huge increases in the incidences of domestic violence, rape and sexual assault over a two-year period in the United States deserves immediate attention from lawmakers and the incoming administration, Human Rights Watch said today. The statistics show a 42 percent increase in reported domestic violence and a 25 percent increase in the reported incidences of rape and sexual assault.

The National Crime Victimization Survey, based on projections from a national sample survey, says that at least 248,300 individuals were raped or sexually assaulted in 2007, up from 190,600 in 2005, the last year the survey was conducted. The study surveyed 73,600 individuals in 41,500 households. Among all violent crimes, domestic violence, rape and sexual assault showed the largest increases.

And these numbers reflect only reported domestic violence and sexual assaults, which continue to be the most underreported crimes.

Sob.

Please note that increased reporting may have something to do with these increases, although it is extremely unlikely to be the primary (or even a significant) factor, given the enormity of the increases. Also note that every other crime surveyed has decreased in the same period, except for simple assault, which increased 3 percent.

The number of violent crimes against men by intimate partners also went down. Only violent crimes against women by intimate partners increased.

This shit doesn't happen in a void. There is a reason violent crimes against women are increasing. This blog documents that shit every day. This shit doesn't happen in a void.

Tagged as: violence, rape, crime, domestic violence

Melissa McEwan writes and edits the blog Shakespeare's Sister.