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New Definition of Rape Changes Crime Reporting Standards

The history of sexual assault was changed in 2012 when Attorney General Eric Holder authorized a revised definition of rape. The previous definition, created in 1927, was “the carnal knowledge of a female, forcibly and against her will.” This definition was limited in sex of the victim and the type of physical attack. The new definition is “the penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim.” This definition, while more graphic than the previous one, covers the breath of possible victims as well as types of attacks.

First, by characterizing the victim as a person instead of a female, the new definition now includes men. The second change to note is the “without the consent” part of the definition. The previous definition indicated that rape was forcible and without consent, which is common in stranger rape, but is not always the case in acquaintance rape when a person is incapacitated. The new definition now includes victims that are influenced by drugs or alcohol, mental capacity, or age.

So what does this new definition mean? This definition will be used for the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report, which releases annual information on serious crimes committed in the United States. Since the new definition expands the category of victims and types of victimization, it allows for a more accurate reporting of the number of occurrences of rape each year.

All of the information in this blog came from the Department of Justice blog, which can be found here.  For more information on rape and sexual assault, visit RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network) at www.rainn.org.

Taking Neighborhood Watch to a New Level

Neighborhood Watch (NW) is a proven, recognizable, and structured way for communities to make and keep themselves safe.  It can build community spirit, camaraderie with neighbors, stronger relationships with law enforcement and area businesses, and safer homes and streets. NW has been around for decades, but since 9/11, communities with active NW programs have been encouraged to assist and provide support to homeland security efforts.  Communities have been encouraged to develop an evacuation plan, create a neighborhood directory with phone numbers and email addresses, help neighbors develop emergency preparedness plans, discuss local warning systems and the location of temporary shelters in case of emergencies, and discuss potential terrorist targets in or near the community.

If your NW group is thriving and looking to take its activities to the next level, consider this new approach for your NW group.  First responders make up only 1 percent of the U.S. population.  When disasters strikes, such as tornadoes (Tuscaloosa and Joplin, spring 2011), hurricanes (Katrina, 2005 and Irene, 2011), flooding (Mississippi River, 2011) and snow (Alaska, 2012), the first responders and agencies such as FEMA and the Red Cross can be overwhelmed. Your NW group could assist in recovery efforts by partnering with Citizen Corps and be trained in the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) curriculum, which includes fire safety, first aid/triage, emergency preparedness, disaster psychology, organization, and terrorism.  Citizen Corps was created to support the Department of Homeland Security to mobilize the country against threats to national security and assist in the recovery after a disaster or terrorist attack. 

Your NW group can be a vital player in assisting Americans during their time of need. Your group can undertake activities such as creating partnerships with the local business owners to create a directory similar to one developed for your NW community and planning activities year-round to correspond with Crime Prevention Month events in October. NW can organize around may topics, not just crime.  Your group could consider seasonal needs, including weather events or tourist season; year-round celebrations, including Celebrate Safe Communities, www.celebratesafecommunities.org, events; terrorism prevention; and medical emergencies (don’t forget to check on the elderly in your community.)  To learn more about Citizen Corps visit www.citizencorps.gov.  To find assessments and information to enhance your NW , visit NCPC’s home and neighborhood safety pages under the “Resources” tab.

To find out more about taking your NW group to a new level and partnering with Citizen Corps program, download this podcast interview with Tami Wyrick, executive director of the Virginia Crime Prevention Association.

Monopoly Money

Let’s face it; in times of economic hardship, we could all use just a little bit more money.

Something to set aside, something to pay the bills, or even, dare I say, something to splurge on a vacation. In a society where money makes the world go around, many of us have been standing still for quite some time. So, when you need more money, what do you do? Get another job? Work a few hours of overtime? Or how about removing the ink on a five dollar bill and reprinting it as a one-hundred dollar bill? One of these things is not quite like the others, but sadly, it’s still true.

Throughout the United States, and most recently in the Milwaukee Metro area, businesses have been victims of counterfeit currency transactions. Perpetrators are bleaching five dollar bills clean of ink, and then printing over the real money with larger denominations such as twenty, fifty, or even one-hundred dollar bills. Unfortunately, what’s fast money for some is hard earned money for others and not just the businesses, but every employee that works for them.  Thankfully, there are a few tips and precautions that business operators and clerks can take to prevent themselves from falling victim to counterfeiters.

  • Now that you’re aware, be on the lookout for any suspicious bills.
  • In addition to the standard security pen test, hold the bill up to the light and look for the watermark on the right hand side of the bill every time.
  • Don’t be afraid to contact your local police department or manager if you’re unsure about a suspicious looking bill.

For more information about counterfeit money, visit www.wiccrimeprevention.com.

An Inside Look at Reentry

Reentry is a widespread term used to refer to concerns related to the transition of offenders from prison and other institutions to community supervision.[i] Crime prevention practitioners further expands the concept of reentry to include the use of programs targeted at promoting the effective reintegration of offenders back to communities upon release from institutions, such as community-based detention, rehabilitation and recovery programs, prison and jail. Reentry programming, which often involves a comprehensive case management approach, is intended to assist offenders in acquiring the life skills needed to succeed in the community and become law-abiding citizens. A variety of programs are used to assist offenders in the reentry process, including pre-release programs, drug rehabilitation, vocational training, and work programs.

Nearly 650,000[ii] people are released from state and federal prison yearly and arrive on the doorsteps of communities nationwide. Far greater numbers reenter communities from local jails, and for many offenders and defendants, this may occur multiple times in a year. According to a Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) study of 15 states, more than two-thirds of state prisoners released from incarceration were re-arrested and more than half returned to prison within three years of their release. Over the past three decades, the correctional population has increased from approximately 1.8 million in 1980 to more than 7.2 million in 2009, with the majority (70 percent) under the supervision of community corrections (probation or parole). The total national-, federal-, and state-level direct expenditures for corrections (including community corrections) were $74 billion in 2007.

While these numbers are astounding, law enforcement professionals, government officials, and communities around the nation are committed to developing programs and strategies to reduce the recidivism amongst non-violent offenders by addressing these barriers—education/skills, medical care/substance abuse treatment, employment, housing, and family reunification. A recent response to these efforts is the passage of the Second Chance Act by Congress, which will restore funding to continue to develop and implement initiatives central to offenders’ personal and skill development. With all of these entities working together, we can be successful in addressing the reentry challenges that non-violent offenders have and help them to make a successful transition back into society.

 

[i] Center for Court Innovation

[ii] Bureau of Justice Statistics

Holiday Decorations Are Up and So Are Charity Scams

The holidays are known as “the giving season.” It is a time when the amount of donations to charities and organizations increase. People are often more soft-hearted about giving during the holidays than any other time of year. Donations range from clothing, money, and sometimes even property. While donating is a great way to give back, donors should use caution when deciding to whom and what to donate. The holiday season is a time when criminals prey on the generosity of donors. Charity scams are the highest during this season. Criminals use this opportunity to set up money scams and even fake charities, leaving donors clueless and resulting in lost profit for a charity in need.

Here are five ways to avoid charity scams this holiday season:

  • Research the charity- Be sure that it is a charity that you can trust or a charity that is familiar to you. Consider asking friends and family for suggestions, but still do your homework by calling or checking out the website. Look for past accomplishments and years in business. The larger the donation, the longer you should think about it before transferring funds to a charity.
  • Don’t give in to pressure to give on the spot- Do not give on the spot, whether it is by phone, with a credit card, or a runner coming to get the donation. The charity that needs your gift today will welcome it tomorrow. Ask for a pledge card instead, this will give you time to do your research.
  • Never give out credit card information over the phone- If a solicitor claims that the charity will support a local organization that you are familiar with, this is not a green light to give all of your information. Do not give your credit card or any other banking information over the phone. Call the charity in question directly to verify the claim. Phony charities will use familiar names of charities that are located in the area code that donors are calling from so that it appears that contributions are going to support local causes. People like to help their neighbors, especially during the holidays, and scam artists won't hesitate to exploit a donor’s kindness.
  • Make your monetary contributions by check- When giving a monetary donation, use a check instead of cash. This is the most secure method of tracking your donations. Be sure to make your checks payable to the charity and not to an individual.
  • Check the IRS and Better Business Bureau-. Most states require charities to register and file annual reports showing how they use donations. Ask your state or local consumer protection agency how to get this information. The Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance also offers information about national charities. You can check www.give.org  for more information.