2007 Maine Marks |
Indicator: Domestic Violence
Why This is Important
Families are not safe when there exists the threat or presence of any form of domestic violence. Domestic violence is an insidious problem that tears apart families and exists among the silence of enabling friends, family members and communities. Domestic violence includes a wide range of behaviors where one individual controls another through verbal, physical, sexual, emotional, or psychological maltreatment.
Where We Stand
Law enforcement data shows that domestic violence assaults continue to be a significant problem in Maine. The total number of reported incidents dropped irregularly from 1995 to 1998, before rising again in following years. In 2004, there were more than 14 instances of such violence in households each day (one domestic assault every 1 hour and 36 minutes, on average). These figures likely understate the amount of domestic violence in the state, since they are based only on reports made to the police; some victims are reluctant to report such incidents.
Male assault on females continues to be the most common form of domestic violence in Maine, though its percentage of all domestic assault offenses dropped from 68% in 1995 to 59% in 2005. Female assault on males represented 16% of all assaults in 2005.
Data Source and Context
The domestic assault data is generated as part of the National Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program. This program is administered by the State Police in Maine, and all crime data from the UCR is published annually in Crime in Maine. The data is available on-line at http://www.state.me.us/dps/cim/crime_in_maine/cim.htm.