Violence Against Women

78% of victims of sexual violence are women, according to the Centers for Disease Control Injury Center. Sexual violence starts very early in life. More than half of all rapes of women (54%) occur before age 18; 22% of these rapes occur before age 12. For men, 75% of all rapes occur before age 18, and 48% before age 12. In 80% of cases, the victim knows the perpetrator.

Several surveys have found that women experience the greatest risk of sexual assault between the ages of 16 and 24.

25% of women who seek medical care for any reason have been battered, reports the University of Michigan Abuse Prevention Initiative

During 2006, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission received 12,025 complaints of sexual harassment in the workplace, 85% of them filed by women. They resolved 11,936 charges and recovered $48,800,000 in monetary benefits for the complaining parties—not including damages or awards victims might have been awarded through litigation.

CEW has a long history of working to combat sexual harassment and violence against women. Currently, CEW is partnering with University Human Resources in leading an initiative to enhance the response to dating and domestic violence within the University community.

CEW staff were instrumental in successfully urging changes to improve the effectiveness of the University’s Policy on Sexual Harassment in the Workplace (SPG 201.89) and supporting creation of the Faculty-Student Relationships Policy (SPG 601.22) and Employee-Student Relationships Policy (SPG 601.22-1).

In addition, CEW Associate Director for Advocacy Susan Kaufmann led the Ann Arbor Mayor’s Task Force on Increasing Safety for Women and the Washtenaw County Task Force on Gender Violence from 1995-2004, which resulted in:

Creation of the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program operated jointly by the University of Michigan Health System and St. Joseph Mercy Hospital to improve nursing care and forensic evidence collection following sexual assaults

Placement of safety phones in Ann Arbor parks and parking structures

Improved coordination among law enforcement, health care, service/advocacy and other organizations.

The Center maintains collaborative relationships with the UM Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center; the UM Office of Institutional Equity, which handles sexual harassment prevention and resolution; and SafeHouse Center, which provides sexual assault and domestic violence services for Washtenaw County.

Other links:
The following is a list of domestic violence and sexual assault service providers in Washtenaw County and five of the surrounding counties. Each of them offers a 24-hour crisis line, emergency shelter, counseling, support groups, legal advocacy and autonomy services—all of which are free and confidential.

Washtenaw County
SafeHouse Center
Crisis line: 734.995.5444
Web address: www.safehousecenter.org

Livingston County
La Casa
Crisis line: 810.227.7100
Web address: www.lacasa1.org

Wayne County
First Step
Crisis line: 888.453.5900
Web address: www.fs-mi.org

Lenawee County
Catherine Cobb DV Program/Family Counseling and Children’s Service
Crisis line: 313.241.2380
Email: ccdvp@dmci.net

Monroe County
Family Counseling and Shelter Services of Monroe County
Crisis line: 313.241.2380
Email: fcssmc@wwnet.net

Jackson County
Aware, Inc.
Crisis line: 517.783.2861
Email: aware@voyager.net

For service providers in other counties or states, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.7233 to find help anywhere in the country 24 hours a day.

Alternatives to Domestic Aggression is a program of Catholic Social Services that serves perpetrators.

The Michigan Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence is a statewide coalition of domestic violence and sexual assault service providers that promotes policy change and offers extensive resources.

The Michigan Domestic Violence Prevention and Treatment Board of the Department of Human Services administers state and federal funding for domestic violence shelters and advocacy services, develops and recommends policy, and develops and provides technical assistance and training relating to domestic violence and sexual assault.

The Family Violence Prevention Fund provides extensive prevention and policy resources.

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence offers resources and takes action on a national policy agenda.

Legal Momentum promotes women’s legal right to live free of violence.