Del Papa: Statistics show 'epidemic' of domestic violence

CARSON CITY -- The evening hours and weekends are the most dangerous times for victims of domestic violence.

In most cases, the assailant used his hands or feet to assault the victim. In 55 percent of the cases, the injuries were minor.

These statistics are included in the first report of Domestic Violence in Nevada, released Monday by state Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa. The study, Del Papa said, shows "we are dealing with a problem of epidemic proportion in Nevada."

"Anything that any one of us can do to break the cycle of violence is important," she said.

The report says 4,250 domestic violence incidents were reported in the first quarter of 1998, for a rate of 2.4 assaults per 1,000 people. Arrests were reported in 54.9 percent of the cases. In 64 percent of the incidents where there was no arrest, the offender had left the scene.

Conviction records were not compiled.

Seventy-six percent of the victims were women. In 23 percent of the cases, women were the assailants. The number of victims and offenders may not be exact, the report notes, because in some incidents there are multiple victims or the aggressor is not determined.

"Victims had a cohabitation relationship in 34.4 percent and were spouses in 28.7 percent of all reported cases," the attorney general said. In 34 percent of the cases, children were present during the assault. And in more than 50 percent, either the offender or the victim had been drinking or using drugs.

White females accounted for 60.9 percent of the victims; black females totaled 13.6 percent; white men 18.5 percent; and black men 2.6 percent.

The report said 36 percent of the incidents occur on Saturday or Sunday.

Twenty-two percent of the attacks take place from 9 p.m. to midnight and 21 percent are from 6 to 9 p.m. during the week. The fewest incidents, 6 percent, are between 6 and 9 a.m.

The statistics show about 70 percent of the incidents took place in Clark County.

Del Papa said it was "important to recognize that many victims of domestic violence do not contact law enforcement."

This first report, she said, was drawn from law enforcement statistics statewide and is one of the most in-depth and comprehensive reviews of the data to date. Copies are being distributed to law enforcement legislators and others interested in domestic violence prevention.

Statistics for the full 1998 year should be available by July 1.

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