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Domestic violence down since 1995, but not much in past decade
Key Excerpts from Article on Website of San Francisco Chronicle/Associated Press
Posted: October 8th, 2014
http://www.sfgate.com/nation/article/Domestic-violence-down-...
Domestic violence committed by intimate partners current or former spouses, boyfriends or girlfriends has declined by more than 60 percent since the mid-1990s, according to Justice Department figures. Yet the dramatic decrease from 1995 through 2004 has largely stalled, with the numbers stabilizing at a level that appalls people in the prevention field. The latest federal figures for serious intimate partner violence sexual assault or aggravated physical assault showed 360,820 such incidents in 2013, or roughly 1,000 per day. The sharp decline in domestic violence began soon after the 1994 enactment of the federal Violence Against Women Act, which toughened penalties for offenders, expanded training for law enforcement and improved services for victims. However, that drop in domestic violence coincided with a comparable drop in virtually all types of violent crime. Most law enforcement agencies have vastly improved their handling of domestic violence over the past 20 years, while public attitudes and understanding have lagged behind.
Note: The dramatic decrease in all forms of violence crimes over the past 20 years is one of the most underreported stories out there. For more on this wonderful development, see this article. Explore a treasure trove of concise summaries of incredibly inspiring news articles which will inspire you to make a difference.