FACTS ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN NORTH DAKOTA

January – December 2005

• 4,370 new victims (new = unduplicated for calendar year) received services from crisis intervention centers in North Dakota. This number reflects a 6% increase from 2004.
• 5,062 incidents of domestic violence were reported to crisis intervention centers in North Dakota.  This reflects a 13% increase from 2004.
• At least 4,961 children were directly impacted by these incidents.
• 180 women (4% of total new victims) were pregnant at the time they were assaulted. This reflects a 24% increase over 2004.
• 94% of the victims were women.
• At least 40% of the victims were under the age of 30. At least 2% were under the age of 18.
• 14 percent of the new victims were disabled. Of those disabled, 16% were developmentally delayed and 35% were physically disabled.
• 30% of victims were self-referred to domestic violence programs. 23% were referred by law enforcement.
• Weapons were used in at least 14% of the cases identified. Guns were used in 25% of the cases involving weapons and knives were used in 25% of the cases involving weapons.
• Law enforcement officers were called to respond in 52% of the incidents. In at least 40% of these incidents, an arrest was made.
• At least 71% of victims served were physically abused.
• 1,272(29%) victims served were abused by a former spouse or former partner.
• Alcohol use by abuser only was indicated in 34% of the new cases. Alcohol use by both victim and offender was indicated in 9% of the cases.
• The abuser had a history of abusive behavior with other adults, including prior partners in at least 45% of the cases.
• Domestic violence programs provided victim assistance with 812 emergency protection orders, as compared to 804 in 2004.

In 2005 there were 13 homicides in North Dakota 5 of these homicides were domestic violence related according to the Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

Domestic Violence Statistics are compiled by the ND Council on Abused Women’s Services

Coalition Against Sexual Assault in ND for the State Health Department

418 E Rosser Avenue #320 Bismarck, ND 58501

701-255-6240