Domestic Violence Division
Domestic violence is a complex issue and one that many times crosses over into other family and societal dynamics such as: Child/Elder/Mental/Sexual Abuse, Drug/Alcohol Abuse, Animal Cruelty, Bullying, Stalking, Cyber Crimes, Human Trafficking/Prostitution and other various Criminal Activities.
It takes a collaborative effort between Victims, Police, Courts, various Metro Departments, Citizens, Clergy, Businesses, Athletes/Coaches and Profit/Non-Profit Agencies in order to be successful in ending the cycle of violence and holding offenders accountable.
Studies have shown that 1 in 4 women will experience intimate partner violence in her lifetime and 1 in 5 women are raped in their lifetime. The majority of rapes are by someone that is known and is one of the most under reported crimes.
Every 9 seconds in the U.S. a woman is assaulted or beaten. Although we know that women are the majority of our victims we are also aware that men are impacted from these crimes as well:1 in 71 men in the United States have been raped in their lifetime and 1 in 7 men have been victims of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. Additionally, 1 in 15 children are exposed to intimate partner violence each year and 90% of these children are eyewitnesses to this violence. Without help, boys who witness domestic violence are far more likely to become abusers of their partners and/or children as adults, thus continuing the cycle of violence in the next generation.
It takes a collaborative effort to be positive role models in order to “Change a Culture" - a culture that is portrayed as tolerating violence against women. Please join us in making an effort to "Change the Culture."
Captain Michelle Richter
MNPD Domestic Violence Division
Domestic Violence Division's Most Wanted