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CAWS North Dakota Releases 2023 Statistics on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault in North Dakota

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[BISMARCK, N.D.] — Each year, CAWS North Dakota, the state coalition working to end domestic and sexual violence, gathers data from 19 victim advocacy centers across the state to put together annual fact sheets that give a snapshot of how many victims of domestic violence and sexual assault are reaching out for help and what kinds of violence they are facing.

The latest fact sheets show that 6,131 victims of domestic violence and 1,288 victims of sexual assault were served by advocacy centers in 2023.

CAWS North Dakota says that domestic and sexual violence can happen to anyone, but women and girls are most commonly victimized. Of the domestic violence victims served in 2023, 83% were women. In cases of sexual assault in 2023, at least 1,042 of the 1,288 victims served were women. 

People with disabilities in North Dakota were also highly impacted. In 2023, 18% of the domestic violence victims served were people with disabilities. Of the sexual assault victims served, nearly one third, 31%, were people with disabilities. 

While the annual data does give insight into how many people are reaching out for help, CAWS North Dakota says that it doesn’t represent the full scope of the problem. 

“7,419 total victims served in 2023 is a shocking reminder of how prevalent domestic violence and sexual assault are in our communities,” said Seth O’Neill, CAWS North Dakota’s Executive Director. “That’s around the size of the entire population of Devils Lake, and it’s just the start of the problem.”

The number of victims served in 2023 is only a fraction of the people experiencing violence they say, as many cases go unreported, not every victim reaches out for support, and some may get help from sources other than DV/SA advocacy centers.

Nonetheless, CAWS North Dakota says that advocacy centers work tirelessly to provide essential, life-saving services to victims who are looking for help. According to the 2023 fact sheet, over 20,000 services were provided by advocates to victims of sexual assault from January to December. Domestic violence advocates provided victim assistance with 431 emergency protection orders in 2023.

The coalition says that if you or someone you know has experienced domestic or sexual violence, free and confidential help is available 24/7 in North Dakota. Those seeking help can find an advocacy center near them by visiting the Find Help page on CAWS North Dakota’s website.

View the 2023 Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault fact sheets here. 

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CAWS North Dakota is North Dakota’s state domestic violence and sexual assault coalition. They support and present a unified voice for 19 victim advocacy centers across North Dakota. From training and educational materials, to public awareness and legislative policy change, CAWS North Dakota works to provide communities with the best information in order to end domestic and sexual violence and prevent future violence from occurring.

Report: Many Voices ND, A Needs Assessment on North Dakota’s Response to Domestic Violence

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From January to September 2023, Global Rights for Women conducted a needs assessment on North Dakota’s response to domestic violence on behalf of CAWS North Dakota. Under the guidance of CAWS ND and the project Planning Committee, Global Rights for Women interviewed survivors and advocates to identify survivors’ needs and assess systems’ responses. 

In total, 27 survivors and 32 advocates shared their insights.

Domestic violence service providers (i.e. advocates) in the state were overwhelmingly identified as life lines for finding safety and rebuilding lives.

At the same time, significant gaps in resources, staffing, and competency of some involved in the response to domestic violence exacerbate the challenges survivors face. 

Click to read the full report or two-page summary below. We hope the voices of survivors and advocates shared in this needs assessment can facilitate meaningful action toward increased accountability for domestic violence offenders and success in reaching and liberating more survivors.

Click to view the full report.
Click to view the 2-page summary.

Career Opportunity: Community Advocate

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View PDF for position here.

The Rape and Abuse Crisis Center provides crisis intervention, advocacy, counseling and education to victims of domestic and sexual violence and prevention programming to the community. To enhance these essential services, RACC has the following opportunities available:

Community Advocate

The Community Advocate will provide crisis intervention and ongoing case management for individuals who have experienced elder abuse, human trafficking, exploitation, domestic violence, and sexual assault. This position will be responsible for intensive case management, crisis intervention, and outreach to multiple sites. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with law enforcement, social services, and other system professionals. Experience working with vulnerable populations beneficial. Must be able to work independently, engage with a multi-disciplinary team, and provide community presentations. 

This position requires an understanding of dynamics related to human trafficking, domestic violence and sexual assault. A Bachelor’s degree in social work, criminal justice, or other human service related field required. 

To view the full job description visit raccfm.com 

For confidential consideration, please send cover letter and resume to the Rape & Abuse Crisis Center, Attn: Chief Program Officer, PO Box 2984, Fargo ND 58108 or email employment@raccfm.com. No calls please. Postmark deadline 10/26/20. 

Career Opportunities: Rape & Abuse Crisis Center

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View online job listings here.

The Rape and Abuse Crisis Center provides crisis intervention, advocacy, counseling and education to victims of domestic and sexual violence and prevention programming to the community. To enhance these essential services, RACC has the following opportunities available:

 Advocacy Supervisor (Full Time) 

The Advocacy Supervisor will ensure the provision of direct services within the Advocacy Department to clients in a professional manner consistent with the agency’s mission. Responsibilities include program coordination, advocacy, management and supervision, community relations and leadership. Experience working with vulnerable populations, ability to work independently, engage with multi-disciplinary teams and provide community presentations is necessary. This position requires an understanding of the dynamics related domestic violence, sexual abuse and child sexual abuse. A Bachelor’s degree in human service field required, Master’s degree preferred. Crisis intervention, trauma-informed care knowledge and supervisory experience desired. 

For confidential consideration, please send cover letter and resume to the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center, Attn: Chief Program Officer, PO Box 2984, Fargo ND 58108 or email employment@raccfm.com. No calls please. Postmark deadline is 7/20/20. 

Prevention Education Supervisor (Full Time) 

The Prevention Education Supervisor will ensure that the community receives education and training, coordinate measurement of education and training impact, and develop / design various curricula while incorporating the strategic direction and mission of the organization. Responsibilities include program coordination, public outreach and education, management, community relations, leadership and supervision. Experience providing education and training, ability to work independently, engage with multi-disciplinary teams and provide community presentations is necessary. This position requires an understanding of dynamics related to domestic violence and sexual abuse. 

A Master’s degree in education, counseling, social work or related field with education / training and supervisory experience preferred. 

For confidential consideration, please send cover letter and resume to the Rape & Abuse Crisis Center, Attn: Chief Executive Officer, PO Box 2984, Fargo ND 58108 or email employment@raccfm.com. No calls please. Postmark deadline 7/20/20. 

Development Director (Full Time) 

The Development Director will ensure that the agency remains fiscally strong and that agency messaging is congruent with organizational values and beliefs. This position requires knowledge of Donor Engagement / Stewardship, Marketing / Messaging and Event Planning. This position is crucial in engaging stakeholders, donors and the overall community. 

For confidential consideration, please send cover letter and resume to the Rape & Abuse Crisis Center, Attn: Chief Executive Officer, PO Box 2984, Fargo ND 58108 or email employment@raccfm.com. No calls please. Postmark deadline 07/20/2020. 

Fargo Police Chief David Todd featured in NYT Opinion Video on Gun Rights and Domestic Violence

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FARGO – Fargo Police Chief David Todd has entered the gun debate on the national stage.

In a video on The New York Times’ website and Facebook page, Todd shares his views on gun rights and gun control, and discusses the death of officer Jason Moszer. “Even as a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, I have a red line. Individuals with violent records like domestic violence should never be allowed to own a gun,” Todd says in the video.

Interspersed with Todd providing his views, The New York Times video plays images and police radio recordings from the night officer Moszer was shot after Moszer and other officers responded to a domestic violence call.

“My biggest fear is losing one of my police officers,” Todd said in the video.

“Statistically, these (domestic violence calls) are the most deadly calls we get, and the trend is rising,” he added. Todd states in the video that the man who shot Moszer was a convicted felon with a history of domestic violence and who was able to legally own a gun because 10 years had passed since his release from prison.

“It does not have to be this way,” Todd said. “Domestic abusers should not be allowed to have guns.”

According to Todd, federal laws have loopholes when it comes to domestic abusers and guns and he said only 17 states require anyone with a domestic violence restraining order to turn in their firearms. On the other hand, in 2017, eight governors from both parties ignored pressure from the gun lobby and closed some loopholes, Todd said in the video.

“I understand criminals will always find ways to hurt people, but we can still take reasonable steps to prevent deadly acts by people who already have a violent record with firearms,” Todd said.

“We all want fewer people to die from domestic violence and we want our police officers to go home at the end of their shift to be with their families,” he added.

In an interview with WDAY, Todd said he agreed to record the video provided that it was done carefully. “I was not interested in being used as a pawn in a political agenda, so we worked through what my concerns were and I wanted it to be a common-sense message,” Todd said in the interview.

The New York Times contacted Todd, knowing the 2016 shooting death of officer Moszer was still fresh in the minds of people in the community.

“Gun ownership is a part of life here and that is a right we need to preserve, but there are common-sense things we need to look at when we have people convicted of violent crimes or domestic violence that perhaps they lose the right to own that gun,” Todd said in the video.

Millions of New York Times readers saw Todd’s video, and many seemed to agree with his statement.

“Watching comments, certainly more cynical outside our region, but the majority agree with what I am saying,” he told WDAY.

To view the video, click here.

ND SAVIN System to be Renovated

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Original article by Daniela Hurtado (KFYR-TV) | Dec 08, 2017
BISMARCK, N.D. – Most crime victims want to know the status of the case against the accused. North Dakota’s statewide automated victim information and notification system or “SAVIN” provides that kind of information.

SAVIN has seen updates in the last three months because of Marsy’s law, which is an expanded list of rights for victims approved by lawmakers last year. As a result of Marsy’s law being approved changes to SAVIN have to be made to better notify victims.

“One of the good things unarguably is that we would be able to provide a lot more information about what’s happened with court cases and with defendents, to give to people who are victims, or even people who are just be interested in the status of certain criminal cases,” said Wayne Stenehjem, North Dakota Attorney General.

The three year long renovation to the system will cost more than $800,000, two thirds of which will come from the state’s general fund and the other part from counties and cities.

“I believe it will be a great benefit to the Bismarck City Attorney’s office and provide us with an updated method of providing notification to victims of crimes,” said Jason Hammes, Bismarck Assistant City Attorney

“We now have completed the upgrade for the municipal courts. We’re rolling that out right now. So, that is something from the municipal courts all the Marsy’s Law notices can be sent automatically as soon as all of the cities have signed up for it,” said Stenehjem.

Other things included in the upgrade are juvenile court, sentencing, pardon board and some jail transfer notifications. The Attorney General says this is a long process but with three months in, the kick off of the update is marching along nicely.