Domestic Violence A Concern In Fairfax County, Virginia
Dec 20, 2012
Fairfax, VA (Law Firm Newswire) December 19, 2012 – A recent study states that Northern Virginia has seen a dramatic rise in domestic violence arrests.
The study, Domestic Violence in Virginia 2006-2010, just released by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services’ Criminal Justice Research Center, shows an increase of almost 70 percent in domestic violence arrests from 2006 to 2010. The greatest increase in the number of arrests was in Fairfax County: arrests were up by more than 300 percent in the five years studied.
The statics, compiled by the Fairfax County Police, show more than 1,750 domestic assault arrests between July 2011 and June 2012. According to Virginia domestic violence law, police officers responding to a domestic violence call must arrest “the predominant physical aggressor,” unless they find circumstances that indicate an action should be taken other than the arrest of that individual.
As of 2007, one domestic violence detective was assigned to each of the county’s eight district police stations. Their focus is investigating domestic violence claims. The dedicated focus has led to a dramatic increase in arrests, says Fairfax County Domestic Violence Coordinator Sandy Bromley. The multi-district initiative has been cited by Fairfax County Police Chief Dave Roher as proven success, allowing for better training and education of officers in domestic violence issues.
“One in three women in Virginia has been a victim of stalking, assault or rape by their partner, or someone they know,” stated Fairfax divorce attorney Lisa McDevitt.
According to the 2010 National Intimate Partner & Sexual Violence Survey, more than 170,000 women in Fairfax County may be the victim of violence perpetrated within their lifetime by a member of their family or by a spouse or partner. Despite the dramatic rise in arrests, there is no indication that domestic violence is actually on the rise. Also, it is believed that less than half of the incidents of domestic violence ever get reported to law enforcement.
Lisa Lane McDevitt
2155 Bonaventure Drive
Vienna, VA 22181
Phone: 571-223-7642
Toll Free: 866-602-7850
http://www.mcdevittlaw.net/
