In the past we typically average between 21 - 26 reported sexual assaults a year at the ER. Currently, however, we have responded to 32 sexual assaults for the year 2008. This is a 30% increase. Even more startling, 25 of these assaults happened in the last six months of this year, 19 in the last 3 months of the year.In every month of the last 6 months reported sexual assaults have been double what they were in the corresponding months last year. This is a highly unusual time to see a spike in numbers since winter is typically the quietest time of the year for sexual assaults.
These assaults correlate closely in time to the economic downturn. The National Institute of Justice recently completed research that indicates under financial strain crimes in families triple and after bouts of unemployment they quadruple. As we know, more than 70% of sexual assaults are committed by someone the victim knows, typically a relative.
Although unemployment in the core of Hancock County does not appear to be much changed there is still significant financial strain across the board, and the general pessimistic mood and constant fear about finances is creating an unprecedented strain in families.
These numbers are such a significant increase that they may be indicative of not just an increase in reports but an actual increase in assaults.
In addition to responding to the ER we sheltered 4 of these clients and helped 11 with protection orders. Nineteen of the 32 were over the age of 18; 13 of them were between 13 - 17 years of age.
We are working on some community trainings and discussions with other service providers and first responders throughout the system to try to understand root causes and how best to respond to this growing issue.
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