Domestic Violence Data

Delaware now has three years of Domestic Violence statistics as we have the data for 2000, 1999, and 1998. A review of the State Bureau of Identifications Domestic Violence statistics for calendar years 2000, 1999, and calendar year 1998 reveals some interesting information. 

Domestic Violence Incidents

• The total number of DV incidents in Delaware in 2000 as reported by the State Bureau of Identification was 26,250. This represents a decline of 5% from calendar year 1999. The total for 1999 represented an increase of 3% from 1998. 
• Referring to the "criminal" incident statistics, the total number of incidents decreased by 3.9% in 2000 from 1999. The total for 1999 represented an increase of 2.8% over 1998. 
• The number of criminal incidents where children were present fell to 25% in 2000. The numbers were 32% in 1999 and 37% in 1998. 
• Also, the number of dual arrests continued to fall in 2000 as they occurred in only 8/10 of 1% in 2000. In 1999 the percentage was 2.5% and in 1998 the percentage was 3.5%. 
• The number of criminal incidents where a victim was injured was 19.9% in 2000 after being 22% in 1999 and 21% in 1998.

While these year-to-year comparisons are interesting, it is felt that caution should be used before citing these statistics as an indicator that Domestic Violence is decreasing. These statistics are the product of all the police agencies providing data to the State Bureau of Identification. There is some indication that the data fields are not defined uniformly by all departments. The Law Enforcement Subcommittee is reviewing these differences.

Protection From Abuse Statistics 

• In calendar year 2000 1,855 Protection From Abuse Orders were issued which is a decrease of about 1% from 1999. The 1,871 PFAs issued in 1999 was a decrease of 4% from 1998. 
• There were 568 ex-parte orders issued in calendar year 2000, which is a 4.6% increase over 1999 which was a 13% increase over calendar year 1998. 
• In 2000, 569 cases were taken to trial and abuse was found in 56% of the cases. In 1999, 554 cases went to trial and there was a finding of abuse 376 times (68%) while in 1998, 545 cases went to trial and there was a finding of abuse 361 times (66%). 
• In 2000, 138 cases were taken to trial for civil contempt and guilt was found in 72% of the cases. In calendar year 1999, 122 cases were brought to trial for civil contempt and a finding of guilt was entered 103 times (84%). In calendar year 1998, 184 cases were brought to trial for civil contempt and a finding of guilt was entered 137 times (74%).

Family Court continues to tabulate and review the Protection From Abuse Order statistics. It also examines and attempts to understand any apparent anomalies that appear in the statistics.

Statewide Shelter Statistics 

• In 2000, there were 3,612 calls to the Hotline, which is a decrease of 4% from 1999 when there were 3,766 calls. In 1999, the 3,766 calls to the Hotline was an increase of 4% over 1998.
• In New Castle County there were 2,637 calls to the Hotline in 2000, which was a decrease of 4% from 1999 when 2,748 calls to the Hotline were made, which was an increase of 9% over 1998. 
• In Kent and Sussex Counties, the calls totaled 975, which is a decrease of 4.2% from the 1,018 calls in 1999, which was a decrease of 6.7% from 1998. 
• In 2000, shelter was provided for 480 individuals, which was a decrease of 20% from 1999 when shelter was provided for 602 individuals. The shelter numbers in 1999 were a 7% increase from 1998. It should be noted that the data from 2000 include the 44 individuals who received shelter from La Esperanza while neither the 1999 nor the 1998 data reflected sheltered individuals from La Esperanza. 
• In New Castle County, 298 individuals were sheltered in 2000, which was a decrease of 35.6% from 1999 when 463 individuals were sheltered. The 463 individuals sheltered in 1999 was an increase of 26% from 1998. 
• In Kent and Sussex Counties, 138 individuals were sheltered in 2000, which is almost exactly the same as the 139 individuals who were sheltered in 1999. The 139 individuals sheltered in 1999 was a decrease of 28% from the number of individuals sheltered in 1998.

* Statistics refer to family violence; which includes, but is not limited to intimate violence