Racial minorities have comprised the overwhelming number of sexual assault victims in Dallas this year.
Accounting for reported rapes, instances of fondling, forcible sodomy incidents, sexual assaults with an object, incest cases, and statutory rapes, black people made up 43.7% and Hispanic individuals made up 37.3% of documented victims, according to the City of Dallas crime overview dashboard.
Of the black and Hispanic sexual assault victims, some 90.4% were women or girls. The youngest victim was a 1-year-old. The median age of such victims is currently 15, per City data.
“Our staff and trained advocates are available to help those impacted by sexual violence navigate the journey of healing in a safe and confidential environment,” reads the Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center’s website. “Sexual violence doesn’t discriminate. We serve all individuals who have been impacted by sexual violence with respect and compassion. This includes women, men, the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants, refugees, and all other survivors of sexual violence.”
District 4, which is represented by Council Member Carolyn King Arnold, has thus far seen the most sexual assault offenses this year, with 71 incidents on the books. The council district with the second-most incidents was District 6, which is represented by Council Member Omar Narvaez.
In total citywide, there have been 541 incidents reported this year: 267 rapes, 168 fondling cases, 70 reports of forcible sodomy, 33 sexual assaults involving an object, two cases of incest, and one statutory rape.
The Dallas Police Department has been having a difficult time getting crime under control amid an ongoing staffing shortage that has hampered the department’s crime-fighting ability. While DPD currently has only 3,200 officers in the field, a prior City analysis suggests a city the size of Dallas requires a force of 4,000 to adequately maintain public safety.
The shortfall is most apparent in Downtown Dallas, which leads Fort Worth’s city center across a number of crime categories. The latter is reportedly patrolled by a dedicated police unit that works alongside private security guards.
