The recent Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) Report Intimate Partner Violence in the United States (December 2006) indicates that intimate partner violence has declined between 1993 and 2004. In fact, the story is much more complex than originally reported.
The domestic violence movement has been making great strides towards ensuring the safety, health and justice of battered women for more than a quarter of a century by directly impacting the lives of women and children and improving public policy. Among numerous accomplishments, the movement substantially supported the passage of Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (VAWA) and its reauthorization in 2000 and 2006, which has provided funding to enhance investigation and prosecution of the violent crime perpetrated against women, increased pre-trial detention of the accused, provided for automatic and mandatory restitution of those convicted, and allowed civil redress in cases prosecutors chose to leave unprosecuted.
“VAWA and other national, statewide and local efforts have positively impacted the rates of domestic violence. Although we celebrate initial evidence that our collective response to domestic violence is effective, we must now increase our efforts of supporting battered women and their families who seek direct services, and continue to make systematic changes,” stated Christy Moore, Executive Director of the Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence (AzCADV).
Domestic violence continues to affect women and children in epic proportions. In fact, nearly one-third of American women report being raped and/or physically assaulted by a current or former boyfriend at some point in their lives, according to a 1998 Commonwealth Fund survey. In an effort to demonstrate the severity of domestic violence, AzCADV compiles a list of Arizona domestic violence related deaths. The list indicates that more than 90 Arizonans were killed due to domestic violence in 2006.
According to statistics provided by the Arizona Department of Economic Security and the Arizona Department of Health Services, almost 2 out of 3 requests for shelter service in Arizona were unmet during July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2004. Moore stated, “As we continue to train our community about domestic violence and raise awareness, more and more victims come forward each year.” Throughout the nation, domestic violence reports to the police have increased by 50% and calls to the National Domestic Violence Hotline increase an estimated 18% annually.
In a study conducted by the Maricopa Association of Governments Regional Domestic Violence Council, survivors reported that most pressing needs for the domestic violence system include more affordable housing options after leaving emergency shelter, better public transportation to reach service providers and employers, more general public awareness about domestic violence, better training for police officers and court officers who address domestic violence, better access to affordable childcare, easier ways to access information about what services are available, and more assistance throughout the legal process.
Moore stated, “The domestic violence system must be improved – we can not stop supporting victims of domestic violence. Instead, we must continue to enhance and expand vital programs and services that directly impact victims of domestic violence, and continue to improve systems that ensure safety, health and justice for all battered women.”
For more information about domestic violence, the Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence, or ways that you can help, log on to www.azcadv.org, or call 602-279-2900.
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