The Idaho Statistical Analysis Center releases two new research reports and one new data dashboard on topics related to violent crime victimization in Idaho.

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IDAHO STATE POLICE NEWS RELEASE
Headquarters - 700 S. Stratford Dr., Meridian, ID 83642 (208) 884-7122

For Immediate Release: 08/30/2022 3:45 P.M.
Please direct questions to the Media Line


The Idaho Statistical Analysis Center releases two new research reports and one new data dashboard on topics related to violent crime victimization in Idaho.


MERIDIAN, Idaho - The Idaho Statistical Analysis Center (ISAC) has released two new research reports and one new data dashboard on topics related to violent crime victimization in Idaho.

Offending Patterns Among Domestic Violence Offenders in Idaho presents results from a study of the criminal history records of more than 56,000 individuals who have been charged with a domestic violence crime in Idaho over the last 35 years.

Key findings in the report include:
-The average person arrested on their first DV charge was a male in their early 30s. Nearly half (48%) had previously been arrested for other violent, property, or drug crimes.
-The criminal history database indicates that just over 45% of DV charges ended in a conviction. The remaining cases, for which data was available, ended with charges amended, pled to a non-domestic violence charge, dismissed, or acquittal.
-Data indicates that 17% of DV offenders were rearrested for a new DV charge, with 40% of them offending within one year.
-Almost 40% of DV offenders were rearrested for a new misdemeanor or felony charge within five years of their first DV arrest.
-The findings showed that three factors increased the likelihood of being rearrested for additional DV crimes.
1. Males were nearly twice as likely to be arrested more than once on DV charges,
2. Younger offenders were more likely to be rearrested on additional DV charges, and
3. Those previously arrested for a violent crime before their first DV arrest were 55% more likely to be arrested on DV charges multiple times.

Crime Victimization in Idaho: An Overview of Available Data and its companion data dashboard were developed in partnership with the Department of Criminal Justice at Boise State University (BSU) for their Idaho Victimization Clearinghouse website. BSU and ISAC sought to report on the status of victimization data in Idaho and examine data regarding risk and protective factors that may impact victimization. The data dashboard displays data concerning various types of victimization in Idaho, as well as data regarding services that have been provided to victims in the state.

Key findings in the report include:
-Two measures of violent crime victimization are trending in opposite directions. Both the number and rate of violent crime victims known to law enforcement decreased between 2016 and 2019 (1% and 6%, respectively). However, the number of victims served by federally funded victim service programs in Idaho increased by 38% over the same time. These opposing trends emerged during a time in which Idaho's population grew by 3%.
-There are three major gaps in the existing data:
1. Existing data does not explain why the opposing trends are occurring;
2. Existing data cannot measure how many crime victims never report the crime to law enforcement and why not, leaving the state with a gap in its knowledge about the true prevalence of crime in Idaho; and,
3. Existing data cannot measure how many crime victims never receive services and why not, or how many access services from programs other than those that are federally funded.
-ISAC makes three recommendations for filling these gaps in knowledge:
1. Develop new and expand existing data sources to include more regional and local data;
2. Implement a statewide victimization survey similar to the old Idaho Crime Victimization Survey, last conducted in 2012, and survey on a regular basis; and,
3. Implement a statewide standardized data collection system to collect data on services provided to crime victims.

Both reports are available online in the ISAC Publication Library (https://isp.idaho.gov/pgr/sac/library/). The Idaho Victimization Clearinghouse data dashboard is accessible from both the ISAC Data Dashboard repository (https://isp.idaho.gov/pgr/sac/dashboards/) and the Idaho Victimization Clearinghouse (https://idvch.com/).

The Idaho Statistical Analysis Center (ISAC) is located within the Planning, Grants & Research Department of the Idaho State Police. The mission of ISAC is to disseminate research, data, and statistics related to crime, illegal drugs, victim services, and the administration of justice in Idaho. To learn more about ISAC or to access other data dashboards and publications, visit our website at https://isp.idaho.gov/pgr/sac/.

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