BOONE, Iowa—The Boone County Board of Supervisors joined with County Attorney Dan Kolacia, members of law enforcement and supporters and advocates of victims during the annual recognition of Crime Victims Rights Week and Sex Assault Awareness Month during April.
The Supervisors recently acted on the proclamation which was read on the first floor of the Boone County Courthouse Wednesday.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
PROCLAMATION
HONORING CRIME VICTIMS RIGHTS WEEK FROM APRIL 9 to 14, 2018
HONORING SEX ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL
The Board recognizes that violence occurs in all places around the country.
In 2015 there were an estimated 1,197,704 violent crimes committed around the United States.
In 2015, there were 15,399 murders committed around the United States.
In 2015 property crimes around the nation resulted in losses estimated at $14.3 billion.
In 2015, there were 8,936 violent crimes in the State of Iowa and 72 murders throughout the State.
There were 63,957 incidents in property crimes throughout the State of Iowa in 2015.
According to a recent survey in 2010 at some point during their lifetime 36 percent of women (approximately 42 million) were victims of assault, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner.
Intimate partner violence has caused 6 of 10 female and 1 of 6 male victims to be concerned for their safety.
According to a study one in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused before they turn 18 years old.
Despite these staggering numbers, 63% of sexual assaults are not reported to police and only 12% of child sexual abuse is reported to authorities.
In 2017 Boone County law enforcement responded to over 61 calls in which a victim has experienced sexual assault.
In 2017, Boone County law enforcement responded to over 482 calls in which a victim has experienced domestic assault.
Since 2013 Boone County law enforcement and those who support victims and survivors have banded together to make Boone County safer for those who are subjected to domestic and sexual trauma. The County has started a Sex Assault Response Team and the County has increased the number of victims served. Through the efforts of law enforcement and members of the Boone County Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence the convictions of offenders have increased. Boone County has seen conviction rates for domestic violence increase from once 39% or below to 75% in 2017. Sex assault cases Boone County has seen a conviction rate of 93%. These stakeholders have come together to show victims and survivors of crime that Victim’s Rights will be honored in Boone County.
NOW THEREFORE, The Boone County Board of Supervisors, Boone County Attorney’s Office, and the Boone County Sheriff’s Office recognizes that the week of April 9th – April 14th, 2018 will be recognized in the County as National Crime Victims’ Rights week. The Boone County Board of Supervisors recognizes that the month of April as Sex Assault Awareness Month. In honor of the victims of crime and Crime Victims Rights Week the Board will allow the Banner outlining Crime Victims’ Rights Week to be hung on County Property.
The proclamation is only part of the recognition planned by organizers. Boone County Attorney Dan Kolacia says the public is encouraged to an event in Celebration of Victims Rights, which will be held Friday, April 13th at DMACC.
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