Nearly 800 sexual assault reports this year to date in Detroit

[lostinblue 1,989]

Nearly 800 sexual assault reports this year to date in Detroit

Posted: Jul 31, 2013 10:48 PM EST Updated: Jul 31, 2013 11:05 PM EST

By Taryn Asher, Fox 2 News - email

DETROIT (WJBK) -

There have been an alarming number of rapes and sexual assaults in the City of Detroit, hundreds upon hundreds of cases so far this year.

To date, Detroit Police are investigating 778 reports of sexual assault in the city. The majority of the cases are rape.

Sources said the numbers are on the rise, and nearly eight months into the year on pace to surpass last year's startling statistic that topped 1,300.

"It's disturbing, it's disappointing, and it's disheartening," said Tracey Helms.

She is the director of Metro Detroit's YWCA Sexual Assault and Advocacy Services and works with the victims during their darkest times. Helms said what is different about Detroit than other cities is that many of the attacks are random.

"For some reason, in Detroit it is a higher instance of stranger rape," she said. "These are women that are minding their business. Provocatively dressed or fully dressed, they should have a right to be able to go to and from without being raped."

Helms attributed the high number of sexual attacks to layers of issues plaguing the city, including the economy, the culture and the living conditions.

What is even more disturbing is the number of Detroit police officers in charge of investigating these cases. We have learned the Sex Crimes Unit has only eleven detectives, a third of what it used to have to solve hundreds of cases and get sexual predators off the streets so they don't strike again.

"I am outraged because it is growing, and I don't see the resources being funneled towards this issue to accommodate the increase that we're seeing," Helms said.

"They want to bring Detroit back, but how can you do that if you don't address the ills of the city, which includes rape."

Detectives are doing their best, but there are just not enough of them.

It should be noted that those hundreds of sexual assault cases do not include the referrals, which are sex crimes involving relatives. There are usually around 400 of those, and we were told the same eleven detectives are also in charge of working those cases.

Detroit Police released the following statement:

"Based on the DPD's database, our crime stats are lower. We are working diligently with victims, however we understand this is an issue. We have partnered with the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, and are utilizing forensic evidence to identify suspects to ensure they are prosecuted."

Read more: http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/story/22984981/nearly-800-sexual-assault-reports-this-year-to-date-in-detroit#ixzz2bsu12Pbt

Barack Obama defeated Governor Mitt Romney by astounding numbers in Detroit, Michigan, amassing 98% of the vote to Romney’s 2%. In a city of over 700,000 people, Mr. Romney was only able to get 6,016 votes according to government tallies.

Is it safe to say the democrats "war on women continues".......in the form of rape.... the majority who were Obama voters.

[GandD 5,966]

Why do republicans define everything as "the War on?" You guys are war obsessed.

"Is it safe to say the democrats "war on women continues".......in the form of rape.... the majority who were Obama voters."

[Darnell 8,479]

We have learned the Sex Crimes Unit has only eleven detectives

smells like a funding issue. It'd be great if they added in 30 interns to handle the administrative stuff - this would make more time for the 11 detectives to actually go out and investigate, not get bogged down in the paperwork required back at the office.

Yes, I said 30 interns. Pass 'the word' to Ms. Helms, when yer able, yes?

Edited August 13, 2013 by Darnell

[lostinblue 1,989]

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/aug/12/feds-granted-15-million-help-women-quit-smoking-br/

Feds grant $1.5 million to help women quit smoking in Brazil

from the article above

I am outraged because it is growing, and I don't see the resources being funneled towards this issue to accommodate the increase that we're seeing," Helms said.

But we can send money to Brazil......

[spookyturtle 9,466]

And spend hundreds of billions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

[lostinblue 1,989]

Why do republicans define everything as "the War on?" You guys are war obsessed.

"Is it safe to say the democrats "war on women continues".......in the form of rape.... the majority who were Obama voters."

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

Why do republicans define everything as "the War on?" You guys are war obsessed.

"Is it safe to say the democrats "war on women continues".......in the form of rape.... the majority who were Obama voters."

It started with the war on poverty, then the stupid spread...

As for this topic..

A bit dramatic and it does not show some of the recovery later.. Still, I am amazed that crime rates are not worse.

[Darnell 8,479]

Hum. Detroit is right across the Canada Border.

I blame the Canadiens coming in for weekend jaunts.

[Karee 4,191]

Maybe the women in Detroit should invest in one of these:

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

Why do republicans define everything as "the War on?" You guys are war obsessed.

"Is it safe to say the democrats "war on women continues".......in the form of rape.... the majority who were Obama voters."

The war on thing is a dem thing LBJ

[Pooky 3,838]

Why do republicans define everythiing as "the War on?" You guys are war obsessed.

"Is it safe to say the democrats "war on women continues".......in the form of rape.... the majority who were Obama voters."

The war on thing is a dem thing LBJ

Especially the "War on Women". In the 2012 Presidential Election, this was front and centre on the Democrat platform. You might want to reassess who has the "War on ..." obsession.

[Danno 1,228]

It started with the war on poverty, then the stupid spread...

As for this topic..

A bit dramatic and it does not show some of the recovery later.. Still, I am amazed that crime rates are not worse.