In 2007, a total of nine cases of domestic violence were reported on UK’s campus. There were seven reported cases of sexual abuse and three reported cases of non-forcible rape.
In 2008, campus saw these numbers decrease. Domestic violence was reported five times. One case of sexual abuse and two reported cases of non-forcible rape were reported.
But what do these numbers mean?
The numbers are a direct reflection to an initiative on campus that has been covering students in Green Dots since they first arrived just more than four years ago.
The Violence, Intervention and Prevention Center seeks to eliminate power-based personal violence, such as partner violence, sexual assault and stalking.
In a Sept. 29 Kernel article, UK Police reported the 2008 crime statistics, with Interim Police Chief Maj. Joe Monroe saying UK Police works closely with the VIP Center to decrease violence.
“Some people go there for resources to make sure reports get filed … it seems to be successful,†he said.
Sally Evans, educational program and volunteer coordinator, said the center’s work with UK Police has been a great partnership, calling the police incredible allies.
While the numbers are decreasing, elimination should be the goal. The VIP Center’s use of resources and student outreach has made an impact on this campus. That impact needs to continue. Funding from the university needs to continue to go toward the VIP Center to ensure the elimination of power-based personal violence.
As a result of the funding from the university, support from Student Government and grants from the departments of Education and Justice, the VIP Center has been able to expand, allowing them to hire additional staff and employees.
“Funding is essential,†Evans said. “UK has made (the VIP Center) a priority on campus.â€
The Sept. 29 Kernel article also stated UK Police reported an increase in traffic citations given out during 2008.
While many students may find this number to be a sign of what some may consider a nuisance, the amount of traffic violations UK Police has cited and the number of potential accidents they’ve stopped can only be a benefit for this campus.
In 2007, there were 1,412 traffic citations given out. In 2008, that number rose to 2,352 — a difference of 940.
The reason? Funding. Monroe said the increase in citations is directly related to the increased enforcement allowed by a grant UK Police received from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This grant has enabled UK Police to have more officers focusing on traffic patrol, allowing UK Police to also focus on ticketing impaired drivers.
The result? A nearly 100 percent increase in drunken driving arrests between 2007 and 2008, Monroe said. In 2007, UK Police arrested 119 individuals for driving under the influence. In 2008, they arrested 215 individuals.
Working together, these two departments have created a significant impact on campus. It’s as simple as looking at the numbers to realize that with the university’s support, these two services on campus will continue to make a difference.
As the VIP Center continues to reach out to students, through its SEEDS program and the Green Dot strategy, more and more students will feel more comfortable reporting a crime.
Yet just because the numbers are down does not mean every student who has had something happen to them is reporting their incident. Nor does it mean every student is taking charge as a bystander and stepping up to influence and prevent a situation.
The numbers show change, but this change must continue.
Funding must continue for both the VIP Center and UK Police so they can make a difference on our campus for current and future students each and every day.
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