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Columbia Rapes Reported More Than Triples in Past Decade

Columbia Police plan to increase patrols in the city following recent shootings.
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Columbia Police plan to increase patrols in the city following recent shootings.

The number of rapes reported in Columbia has more than tripled in the last 10 years. According to Columbia Uniform Crime Reporting data, in 2007 there were 30 rapes reported. In 2016 there were 111 rapes reported.

Experts say there’s not necessarily more incidents. Instead, they say assaults may be reported more frequently. Jennifer Carter Dochler, public policy director from the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence says assuming there is more assaults occurring is not necessarily true. Carter Dochler explains how there is additional funding going into rape crisis centers to help them advertise and expand their services.

“I don’t think it would be an accurate statement to say rapes themselves have been increasing. I think people are feeling more comfortable reaching out requesting assistance. I think that there is a lot more community awareness.” said Carter Dochler.

Elizabeth Herrera is the executive director at True North, which helps victims of sexual assault in Columbia. Herrera says True North has changed its approach on how it serves its victims and offers additional services. The shelter is trying to look at the person and really address all of the barriers that the person may be facing from different angles.

“We are providing a little bit more counseling services. We’re doing something called a holistic approach where we’re trying to look at the person and try to really address all of the barriers that that person may be facing from different angles. And really eliminating a lot of those barriers.” said Herrera.

True North also offers support groups, additional education, counseling, and court advocacy. Herrera says the number of victims willing to come forward has increased but the cause of the willingness is unclear.

In May 2017, the Columbia Police Department implemented the ‘You Have Options’ program, aimed at encouraging victims to report sexual assaults. The program allows victims to report the incident or ask for an investigation, while also promising complete confidentiality between police and the victim. So far in 2017, there have been 65 rapes reported from January to August, which is up from 56 reported in the same time frame last year.