2017 1st Quarter Crime Report

2.2

Crimes Against Persons (NIBRS - Group A) Continued...

In the First Quarter of 2017, the total number of victims assigned to the Special Victims Section in- creased by 12.8 percent compared to the First Quarter of 2016. The number of victims assigned to the Crimes Against Children Unit increased 37.2 percent , the number of victims assigned to the Domestic Violence Unit increased 6.7 percent, and the number of victims assigned to the Sex Crimes Unit increased 15.7 percent in the First Quarter of 2017 compared to the First Quarter of 2016.

The Fort Worth Police Department’s Special Victims Section includes the Domestic Violence Unit, Crimes Against Children Unit (CACU), Sex Crimes Unit, and the Sex Offender Registration and Monitoring Unit. The Domestic Violence Unit investigates incidents of domestic violence in partnership with the various agen- cies collocated under the One Safe Place umbrella (Tarrant County’s Family Justice Center). One Safe Place brings together a multi-agency task force, under one roof, dedicated to providing coordinated services to victims of domestic violence and their children.

The Crimes Against Children Unit’s mandate is to aggressively investigate abuse and sexual abuse of children under 17, as well as homicides of children under the age of six (in partnership with the various agencies under the Alliance for Children non-profit organization). The Sex Crimes Unit (SCU) investigates sexual assault cases, indecent exposures, public lewdness, improper photography, injury to the elderly in care facilities, stalking, and any other crime of a sexual nature involving adults of 17 years old and older.

The Sex Offender Registration and Monitoring Unit is responsible for ensuring sex offenders are in compliance with registration requirements.

The Sex Crimes Unit and the Victim Assistance Section continue to work with patrol officers, hold com- munity meetings, and provide presentations to local colleges on ways to prevent sexual assault. The Sex Crimes Unit along with TCU officials conduct information-exchange meetings to encourage discus- sion on ways to reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim. The Victim Assistance Section continues to provide support services to victims of reported sexual assaults. Cold Case Sexual Assault Detectives have been successful in solving older cases involving multiple victims using DNA from incarcerated indi- viduals. Technology advancements have also led to identifying stranger offenders.

Figure 4 - First Quarter 2017, Special Victims Section

Number of Victims Assigned

Unit

Jan - Mar 2017 Jan - Mar 2016 %Change

Crimes Against Child re n Unit

716

522

37.2%

Domestic Violence Unit

2,247

2,106

6.7%

103

89

Sex Crimes Unit

15.7% 12.8%

TOTAL

3,066

2,717

Section II - NIBRS

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First Quarter (January-March) 2017 Crime Report

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