Downtown Phoenix saw a rise in sexual assault cases reported in October 2021 compared to the numbers reported in October 2020.
According to the Phoenix Police Department’s crime map Lexisnexis, a total report of 15 sexual assault cases were reported in the downtown area in 2020. Four were declared rape cases.
In 2021, 17 cases were reported but the number of rape cases declared jumped to 11, a 38% increase.
The rise in numbers leave valley residents concerned, especially for the safety of students attending Arizona State University’s downtown campus.
The Public Information Officer at ASU’s Police Department, Adam Wolf, expressed the importance of keeping the students on campus safe, regardless of the crime.
Police presence provided by ASU PD remains consistent but the number of officers provided at each campus fluctuates. During non-pandemic times, ASU PD offers self-defense courses and in-person training to help prevent sexual assaults.
“Even a single sexual assault is too many. However, when the incidents do occur, we strive to provide the best possible service and support to the victim,” Wolf said. “This includes working with ASU Counseling to provide victim advocates as soon as a report is received.”
When it comes to sexual assault, Wolfe explained the equal attention and importance of providing necessary services and support to victims who do experience sexual assault.
In ASU’s annual report, a total of four sexual assault cases were reported in both October 2020 and 2021, all located at Tempe campus housing. None were declared in downtown campus residences.
As the annual report showcased only reported cases, many sexual assaults go unreported, but ASU states they do whatever they possibly can to help keep their students safe.
Sexual assault is just one tier of domestic violence.
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 42.6% of Arizona women and 33.4% of Arizona men experience intimate partner physical and/or sexual violence.
Victims raped by an acquaintance stand at 46.7% of female and 44.9% of male victims.
From those numbers, 45.4% of female rape victims and 29% of male rape victims were raped by an intimate partner.
Maricopa County Human Services Department announced the county’s plans to invest over $15 million in human services from the American Rescue Plan Act on Sep. 28 in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October.
The investment provided the much needed support for individuals and families who have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
The funding remained a crucial asset to help provide domestic and sexual violence intervention and prevention, in response to increased needs for services as a result of the pandemic.
“I cannot imagine the anguish that the women, as well as men, have experienced in their domestic and sexual violence experiences, the traumatic disruption to their lives,” Jacqueline Edwards, director at Maricopa County Human Services Department said.
According to a newsletter released by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, in 2020, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office filed over 1,400 cases with at least one charge of domestic violence. The number continued to remain a little over 1,000 cases as the year comes to an end.
Jenna Panas, CEO of Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence expressed the significance of the investment will allow the survivors to receive the much needed services “to heal and ultimately reclaim their lives.”
“We stand with survivors, we amplify their voices, and make sure that our policy leaders and our systems of support, here in Arizona, truly support what survivors need,” Panas said.“We hope that you recognize the impact of domestic violence impact in your lives and support your community as well.”
The county dedicated a portion of the funds for specific assistance to help survivors pay rent, be safe in homes, and allow survivors to leave their abusers and seek a better life.
Awareness raised for domestic violence and sexual assault goes further than the month of October. Maricopa County continuously fights to help provide a safe and welcoming community for valley residents.
Contact the reporter at araraiza@asu.edu
