Increased Services Help Victims Report Rapes, Advocate Says
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) – Recently released crime statistics from the Dallas Police Department show drops in burglaries, murders and car thefts –– but there's also an 11 percent jump in reported rapes.
But victim advocates don't think it's because more are being committed. They think it's because more victims are reporting the crime thanks to an increase in services.
Courtney Underwood Newsome was a victim of sexual assault when she was 15.
"For me, I remember what it was like to know there were no services in Dallas. I was raped by my pastor. So, I was afraid to tell anyone about it," she said.
She helped launch the Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center at Presbyterian Hospital in 2009. The staff went full time in 2010.
For 30 years before that, the only choice for rape victims was Parkland Memorial, the county hospital.
"I think just having a choice makes a person feel better," said Jana Barker.
Barker, DARCC's co-founder, believes that choice has led to the increase in the number of rapes reported.
"I think it is reporting," she said.
DARCC, pronounced like the woman's name 'Darcy,' is compassionate.
"We want to give their self worth back to them," said Tammy Prewitt, one of the center's forensic nurses. "I'm the one that collects the forensic evidence," she said.
Prewitt uses a special forensic camera that picks up marks and bruises the eye can't see.
"We try our very best to get everything we can find on them so that we can find a perpetrator and put them behind bars," she said.
One jailed perpetrator can save many victims.
"Statistics show they will rape nine times before they get caught," Jana Barker said.
But, the center's first concern is the victim.
"We're just here to help," Barker said.
The center's statistics are overwhelming:
- 1 in 4 women will be sexually assaulted in her lifetime.
- 1 in 5 female college students will be sexually assaulted as an undergraduate.
- 1 in 10 men will be sexually assaulted in his lifetime.
- 70 percent of the victims are sexually assaulted by someone they know.
- Nationally, fewer than 18 percent of sexual assaults are reported.
Anyone who needs help can call the Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center or DARCC at (972) 641-RAPE (7273)
For more information or to donate, log onto www.DallasRapeCrisis.org.
