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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-04-29 Recommendation~~GQ~ r ~.._.®~~ 1 ~®/~~ ~~ CITY OF IOWA CITY Task Force on Violence Against Women Final Report Apri128, 2008 Vision Statement A community that supports safety for all people will include specific efforts to end violence against women through prevention services; community education; support for victims; and accountability of perpetrators. Background On September 18, 2007, over 100 University of Iowa students and concerned citizens converged en force to the Formal City Council meeting to deliver a petition that was signed by more that 5,000 Iowa City residents, including students, faculty, and staff of the University of Iowa. (See Attachment # 1) This petition was sponsored by the University of Iowa Student Government and the University of Iowa Panhellenic Council as one response to an alarming number of street assaults against women that had occurred in Iowa City over the previous 12 month period. This petition called on the City Council to establish a task force to consider the following: "create a Neighborhood Watch/Patrol Program, increase resources of the Iowa City Police Department, educate the public on current initiatives and services being provided, and evaluating current street lighting and exploring further options. " According to police reports there had been approximately 29 assaults reported. As of Apri128, 2008, the Iowa City Police Department has received 35 reports of street assaults' against women in the downtown and near downtown neighborhoods of Iowa City. As a result of this outpouring of citizen concern and mobilization, on September 26'" the City Council hosted a "Public Meeting on Safe Streets," and on October 16`", 2007, the Iowa City City Council passed a resolution that established the Task Force on Violence Against Women to develop recommendations to address this issue of great concern to the community. (See Attachment # 2) Goals and Objectives The Iowa City Council identified the following goals and objectives for the Task Force: Goals: To decrease the incidence of violence against women -including sexual assault and other assaults - in Iowa City. To propose accountability of perpetrators of violence against women. ~ The street assaults that have occurred have all been perpetrated against women by male perpetrators; common characteristics of these assaults have included groping of a sexual nature and physical assaults on women who were walking or running alone. The Rape Victim Advocacy Program has received additional reports of street assaults against women that were not reported to the police. Ciry of Iowa City Task Force on Violence Against Women Page I of 8 Final Report • To support efforts of the community -both men and women -that promote a community climate that does not tolerate violence against women. Objectives: • To review current community responses to violence against women -including sexual assault, rape, and attempted sexual assault - in Iowa City • To explore efforts to strengthen or expand current community responses • To consider new options for prevention, education, and intervention to end violence against women • To address specific suggestions from the petition presented by University of Iowa students to the Iowa City Council. By resolution, the Task Force was charged with presenting, within 6 months, specific recommendations to the Iowa City Council -and the wider community -that have the potential to reduce sexual assaults and other assaults against women. Members of the Task Force Amy Correia -Iowa City City Council Abigail Volland - University of Iowa Student Government City Council Liaison Alan Cosby -University of Iowa Interfraternity Council and Student Government Anne Barber -University of Iowa Panhellenic Council and Student Government Belinda Marner - University of Iowa Student Services and Liaison to the UI Parent's Association Beth Bewley-Randall - Englert Theater and Downtown Association Bob Hartman -Iowa City Police Department (ICPD) Carole Peterson - University of Iowa Student Government (UISG) Chuck Green -University of Iowa Public Safety (UII'D) Diana Harris - University of Iowa Council on the Status of Women Diane Funk -Rape Victim Advocacy Program (RVAP) Janet Lyness -Johnson County Attorney Karla Miller -Rape Victim Advocacy Program (RVAP) Kristie Doser -Domestic Violence Intervention Program (DVIP) Marcia Klingaman - City of Iowa City Neighborhood Services Monique DiCarlo -Women's Resource and Action Center (WRAC) Ron Logsden -Iowa City Transit Barb Morck -Iowa City Transit Sam Hargadine -Iowa City Police Department (ICPD) Sarah Milani -University of Iowa Panhellenic Council and Student Government Summary of Content Discussed & Reviewed December 17, 2007 -Services/Programs Presentations X Johnson County Sexual Assault Response Team (multi-agency representation) x Sexual Assault Investigation Team (multi-agency representation) x Domestic Abuse Response Team (multi-agency representation) x Domestic Abuse Investigation Team (multi-agency representation) X Johnson County Coalition Against Domestic Violence (multi-agency representation) x Victim Witness Coordinator (Johnson County Attorney's Office) Ciry of Iowa City Task Force on violence Against Women Page 2 of 8 Final Report X Domestic Violence Intervention Program x Women's Resource and Action Center including Women's Resource and Action Center, Men's Antiviolence Council (WRACMAC) x UI Anti-Violence Coalition/Project x Regents' Gender Violence Prevention Task Force (federal grant supporting efforts at UI, UNI, ISU, and includes the State Sexual Assault Coalition) x Rape Victim Advocacy Program x Batterer's Education Program x University of Iowa Council on the Status of Women x University of Iowa Student Government Women's Safety Forum X University of Iowa Interfraternity Council -hosted programs January 7, 2008 -Transportation Presentations x Discussion of services/programs x Cy-Ride (Ames, IA) x Iowa City Transit x Iowa City subsidized cab program for workers x NITE RIDE x Cambus - SafeRide January 28, 2008 Neighborhood Watch/Police Resources Presentation x Presentation by Chief Hargadine about Neighborhood Watch Programs (Iowa City does not currently operate a Neighborhood Watch Program, but has in the past) x Information shared by Chuck Green, UIPD, about UIPD crime prevention programs, including RAD (Rape Aggression Defense) x Information shared by Marcia Klingaman about the Iowa City Neighborhood Association Program X General discussion about police department staffing levels February 18, 2008 -Updates and Discussion X NITE RIDE expansion, costs, and security x University of Iowa Anti-Violence Coalition and Statewide Campus Coalition grant reapplication, training RA's and public safety or police officers, and having a Campus Advocate x University of Iowa Greek System independent programs including walking women home, sober drivers, increasing lighting around houses, and future workshops on safety x University of Iowa Student Government distribution of glow light key chains with Nite Ride logo and phone number March 10, 2008 -Neighborhood Lighting Presentation x Lighting presentation by Jeff Davidson (City of Iowa City) and Marcia Klingaman (City of Iowa City) x Began discussion of strengths, gaps and recommendations City of Iowa City Task Force on Violence Against Women Page 3 of 8 Final Report March 31, 2008 * Discussion of "informal" lighting assessment conducted by Amy Correia, Abbie Volland, and Sarah Milani Continue brainstorm of strengths, gaps, and recommendations Apri121, 2008 and Apri128, 2008 * Finalize recommendations Recommendations The Task Force determined early to focus discussion of issues by topic area. What follows is an analysis of identified strengths & gaps as well as recommendations follow. The Task Force members acknowledge that ending violence against women will take a concerted, sustained, and coordinated effort across disciplines, that no one solution will provide absolute safety in any or all circumstances, and that the ultimate responsibility for ending violence against women must be placed on perpetrators of such violence. It is important for all men and women, including those in leadership positions, to be actively involved in efforts to end violence against women. In our efforts to achieve safety for women, both men and women can mobilize to stop violence perpetrated by men, hold perpetrators accountable, support personal safety and against minimization and blame of those who are harmed. SERVICES STRENGTHS • NITE RIDE • Resources are available to victims • Prevention education programs are available -especially for 1St year UI students • Collaboration is occurring RECOMMENDATIONS • Unsure about what is available to Kirkwood students • Lack of sex offender treatment for offenders not in jail • Cuts to victims services from the federal government • Lack of consistent community messages about the responsibility everyone has to interrupt violent and offensive behavior • University of Iowa to develop a certified victim advocate response protocol (as used by local law enforcement and health care providers) for use when students report an assault to University officials (RAs, Academic Advisors, Faculty advisors, etc.) and provide funding to support this response. • Student Government at Iowa to work with local service agencies and public safety organizations to fund and utilize new technology in order to increase student knowledge of local services (social services and public safety agencies), including Facebook, Web-Sites, UI Parent Association web-site • Public safety and Social Service agencies to make an increased effort to reach students with information about services available, for example increased web access to the Domestic Violence Intervention Program "Tool Kit." • UI web site to improve search results for stalking, dating violence and sexual assault GAPS City of Iowa City Task Force on Violence Against Women Page 4 of 8 Final Report • City of Iowa City to review www.ic og vorg for links to resources for victims of stalking, dating violence, domestic violence, and sexual assault. • City Council and University of Iowa to increase local funding support for victim service agencies, for example, to consider on-campus advocates to work with victims of dating violence TRANSPORTATION STRENGTHS GAPS • UI NITE RIDE program • IC Transit service hours are limited, • Cambus "Safe Ride" Late night no late night service & no Sunday service on red and blue routes service • Adequate access to cab companies • IC Free Shuttle doesn't go into late • Funding for Job Access Reverse evening hours, is not serving many Commute (JARC) program student residential areas received by Iowa City Transit • Price of cabs is high • Individual Greek System chapter • Lack of adequate bicycle parking Safe Walk Programs downtown • Commitment of Panhellenic and • Lack of consistent funding for NITE Interfraternity, and National Pan- RIDE Hellinic Council to initiate "Greek Walk" RECOMMENDATIONS • City of Iowa City and UI to work together to adequately fund the UI NITE RIDE program • City of Iowa City to expand hours of IC transit, including adding Sunday service, as well as increasing hours and expanding route of IC Transit Free Shuttle • City of Iowa City to create a process for receiving regular input from UI students on transportation issues/needs (for example, utilize UISG liaison to the Council) • City of Iowa City and UI to provide additional bicycle parking, including that which is well lit, clean, and covered • City of Iowa City to partner with UISG Women's Safety Forum • City of Iowa City Police Department to provide customer safety training and/or informational brochure to cab drivers. City of Iowa City Task Force on Violence Against Women Page 5 of 8 Final Report NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH/POLICE RESPONSE STRENGTHS ~ GAPS • Responsive UIPD and ICPD - investigating sexual assault has been a priority and the two departments are working together • UIPD Crime Prevention Program & RAD (Rape Aggression Defense) • UII'D NITE Ride • When there was outreach to the community with information, the community responded by calling the police departments with information • Mutual aid is freely offered between public safety departments No neighborhood watch program in Iowa City No witnesses to the street assaults, makes investigation difficult Long-term funding for new programs, i.e. NITE RIDE, is uncertain RECOMMENDATIONS • City of Iowa City to re-establish and fund a Neighborhood Watch Officer/Program • City of Iowa City Neighborhood Services Department and ICPD Community Services Officer for crime prevention will actively recruit in the downtown and near downtown neighborhoods to establish Watch programs in those neighborhoods. (For example, work with the UI Student Services and UI Panhellenic Council to build neighborhood leadership on an annual basis.) • City of Iowa City and UI to follow established best practices for personnel levels for public safety departments. (See Attachment #3) • City of Iowa City to actively promote its "E-subscription" program (www.icgov.or~/default/subscribe.asp) to encourage organizations & individuals to receive press-releases from ICPD that can then be shared on their respective web-sites, list-serves, and and/or forwarded on to their members. • The City of Iowa City and UI to develop multi-year funding strategies to stabilize crime prevention efforts, such as UI NITE RIDE, UI RAD, and City of IC Neighborhood Watch. Iowa City and UI to collaborate to assist with stabilized funding for crime prevention efforts. • The County Attorney's Office to strengthen coordinated responses to gender violence by providing continued cross-training and collaboration among law enforcement, victim service agencies, County Attorney's office, and UI judicial hearing/complaint officers, to support coordinated responses. City of Iowa City Task Force on Violence Against Women Page 6 of 8 Final Report LIGHTING STRENGTHS • Iowa City has a policy regarding lighting of streets • Iowa City residents can request an increase in street lighting • Iowa City has a plan in place to increase pedestrian lighting in City Park in FY 09 • Iowa City has created a new set-. aside of $100,000 in FY 09 for pedestrian lighting • Iowa City has been responsive to resident concerns in the past regarding balancing lighting/over- lighting RECOMMENDATIONS • No pedestrian (sidewalk) lighting policy for public right of ways in Iowa City • Bushes and other landscaping will impact any pedestrian lighting efforts • Lack of public awareness of who to contact when streetlights are not operating correctly • If pedestrian lighting programs require neighborhood involvement, it maybe difficult to engage those neighborhoods with high resident turnover • Perceived lack (or actual lack) of coordination response to lighting among Iowa City, MidAmerican, Renters. Homeowners • City of Iowa City to make neighborhoods aware of the ability to have more street lights (for example, through Neighborhood Association newsletters and inserts in City of Iowa City water bills) • The City of Iowa City & others (for example the University of Iowa, MidAmerican Energy, etc.) to encourage landlords, sororities, fraternities, churches, public entities, etc. to assess for adequate outdoor lighting on buildings and surrounding private property to increase lighting spill-over into pedestrian walkways • City of Iowa City to identify a source for technical assistance on addressing recommendation listed above (candle strength, positioning, etc.) • City of Iowa City to create a pedestrian lighting program (similar to traffic calming and sidewalk infill program) • The greater community to contribute to increasing pedestrian lighting, for example to keep porch lights on, install landscaping lights, address landscaping that inhibits safe sidewalks, and the City of Iowa City to assist with outreach efforts through Neighborhood Associations, advertising, etc. • MidAmerican Energy to calculate and communicate the actual cost of adding lights to private property (motion lights, front porch lights, etc.) • The City of Iowa City to review Code requirements for lighting to address pedestrian lighting needs • UI Panhellenic Council and UI Interfraternity Council to establish a Greek System lighting program to assist chapter houses with installation of outdoor lighting GAPS City of Iowa City Task Force on Violence Against Women Page 7 of 8 Final Report COORDINATION OF PUBLIC EDUCATION STRENGTHS • 1St year education ofUI students with sexualassault.edu • RVAP, DVIP, WRAC expertise and training • State of Iowa law K-12 health curriculum requirement for domestic violence/antiviolence • Many media resources/tools to assist with education on non-violence • Community and University based coalitions organized to address education needs; many constituencies represented and committed • UI developing acampus-wide respect campaign. RECOMMENDATIONS GAPS • Lack of awareness of public education services provided by DVIP, RVAP, WRAC • Sexualassault.edu only reaches 1St year UI students (limited material on domestic violence and stalking available) • UI mandatory education and other programming doesn't reach graduate, transfer, and non-traditional students • K-12 health curriculum requirements in ICCSD are not fully implemented • Agencies (RVAP, DVIP, WRAC) do not have sufficient financial resources for comprehensive community education • Lack of community coordination of public awareness campaigns (i.e. a collaboration with agencies, City Council, UI, Downtown Assoc) • The City of Iowa City to work with UI and others to have an ad campaign about non-violence • The City of Iowa City to fund male based prevention programs using research based practice • The City of Iowa City to encourage UI student leaders to provide education on gender violence. • Iowa City Council to convene a group of community leaders, especially men in positions of influence, to participate in a training program for serving as allies in ending violence in women's lives. • Iowa City Council to work with ICCSD for report on compliance with the state anti- violence health curriculum requirements; and to work with ICCSD to identify additional ways to educate K-12 students. • Iowa City Council members and City employees, especially department heads, to attend training with gender violence national speakers (i.e. Jackson Katz). • The City of Iowa City and ICCSD to collaborate on UI respect campaign. • ICPD, UIPD, Student Government at UI, and RVAP to continue to collaborate to provide public education about safe strategies for traveling as a pedestrian. City of Iowa City Task Force on Violence Against Women Page 8 of 8 Final Report Attachment 4~1 Petition by University of Iowa Students Sponsored by University of Iowa Student Government and Panhellenic Council This is a petition for the immediate creation of a task force made up of various stakeholders (law enforcement, students, University administrators, Iowa City residents, Council members, and others). The purpose of the task force is to look into what is currently being done to address the increase in sexual assaults, possible options for further prevention, and education of Iowa City residents. Task Force Objectives include, but are not limited to: 1. Create a Neighborhood Watch/Patrol Program. 2. Increase resources of the Iowa City Police Department. 3. Educate the public on current initiatives and services being provided. 4. Evaluating current street lighting and exploring further options. We are not asking for detailed information on current law enforcement initiatives. We understand this is currently their number one priority. We are asking for this Task Force to be created in response to their request for assistance (See 9/13 Information Packet). Safety in Iowa City is larger than just a University issue, an Iowa City Police issue, or a City Council issue. We believe acommunity-wide effort is necessary to prevent further attacks in the Iowa City Community. We ask that this proposal be included in next week's (Monday, September 24`") Work Session or that an additional meeting be set up. Carole Peterson Vice President of Student Body (319) 335-3860 Carole-peterson@uiowa.edu Anne Barber President, Panhellenic Council UISG Senator 07-08 (319) 290-8969 anne-m-barber@uiowa. edu Sarah Milani VP of Panhellenic, Delta Gamma Sorority UISG Off-Campus Housing Senator 07-08 (815)988-8723 Sarah-milani@uiowa.edu Attachment ~~2 Prepared by: Marian Karr, City Clerk, 410 East Washington St., Iowa City, IA 52240; 319-356-5041 RESOLUTION NO. 07-311 CONSIDER RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE TASK FORCE TO ADDRESS VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN WHEREAS, on September 18, 2007, the City Council received a petition signed by 5000 citizens requesting the formulation of a task force to address the increase in sexual assaults, possible options for prevention, and provide education to Iowa City residents; and WHEREAS, as a response to overwhelming citizen concern regarding an increase in street attacks against women between September 2006 & September 2007; and in response to a 20% increase in rapes reported to the Rape Victim Advocacy Program, the City Council wishes to create atime-limited task force. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF IOWA CITY, IOWA: That a 6 month task force to address violence against women be created with the following goals: ^ To decrease the incidence of violence against women -including sexual assault, other assaults - in Iowa City. ^ To promote accountability of perpetrators of violence against women. ^ To support efforts of members of the community -both men and women - to promote a community climate that does not tolerate violence against women. 2. That the objectives of the 6 month task force to address violence against women be established as follows: ^ To review current community responses to violence against women -including sexual assault, rape, and attempted sexual assault - in Iowa City. ^ To explore efforts to strengthen or expand current community responses. ^ To consider new options for prevention, education, and intervention to end violence against women. ^ To address specific suggestions from the Petition by University of Iowa Students to the Iowa City Council That the 6 month task force to address violence against women will be comprised of not more than twenty (20) individuals representing the following groups and/or agencies: Iowa City Police Department; Downtown Association; Englert Theatre; Chamber of Commerce; Johnson County Attorney's Office; University of Iowa Police Department; Rape Victim Advocacy Program; Women's Resource and Action Center; Johnson County Coalitions Against Domestic Violence; University of Iowa Student Government (UISG); Panhellenic Council; Interfraternity Council (IFC); City of Iowa City Neighborhood Services; Iowa City Transit; University Parent Association; Domestic Violence Intervention Program; University Counseling Service; and University of Iowa Council on the Status of Women. The task force shall be co-chaired by City Council Member Amy Correia and UISG Representative Abbie Volland. Resolution No. 07-'~ 1 L Page 2 4. That members of the 6 month task force to address violence against women shall within 6 months present specific recommendations to the City Council, and the wider community, that have the potential to reduce sexual assault and other assaults against women; and members shall serve until the City Council considers the recommendations forwarded by the task force. 5. All meetings of the task force shall be public meetings. Agendas shall be posted, and minutes shall be kept, in accordance with State law and City Council. Passed and approved this 16th day of octoh~r _, 20 07 ATTEST: ~ 1/}tiy.t~3~ • 6Llif.~ CITI~-CLERK ~VIAYOR Appr by ~~ City Attorney's Office It was moved by Correia and seconded by Bailey the Resolution be adopted, and upon roll call there were: AYES: NAYS: ABSENT: x x ~_ X ~- x x Bailey Champion Correia Elliott O'Donnell Vanderhoef Wilburn Clerlc/res/taskforcewomen.doc Attachment ~~3 219374 U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Campus Law Enforcement, 2004-05 Among schools with 5,000 or more students, private campuses had more law enforcement employees per capita than public campuses During the 2004-05 school year, the 750 agencies surveyed had more than 25,000 full-time employees, including about 13,000 sworn personnel. These agencies served more than 8 million students. The average number of full-time employees was 34, with a range of 96 on the largest private campuses to fewer than 20 on the smallest campuses. Campuses had on average 3.8 full-time campus law enforcement employees per 1 000 students Private campuses averaged 4.7 officers per 1,000 students compared to 3 3 per 1 000 on public campuses Among schools with 5 000 or more students, private campuses had more law enforcement employees per capita than public campuses. Campuses using sworn officers employed on average 2 3 full-time officers per 1 000 students. Private campuses averaged 3 sworn officers per 1 000 students compared to 2 1 sworn officers per 1,000 students on public campuses. On campuses of 5,000 or more students, private campuses had a higher ratio of sworn officers to students than public campuses. Full-time agency employees increased from 2.8 to 3 per 1,000 students between 1994-95 and 2004- 05 Campus law enforcement agencies included in both surveys increased the ratio of full-time employees to students between the 1994-95 and 2004-05 school years. The overall law enforcement staffing ratio increased from 2 8 per 1 000 students to 3 per 1,000 students. Among campus agencies using sworn officers the overall ratio of officers to students increased from 1.7 to 1.8 per 1,000. In addition to total student enrollment, the number and type of employees in campus law enforcement agencies may be influenced by other factors such as campus land area, number of buildings, type of facilities (e.g., medical centers, stadiums, and arenas), number of full-time students, number of campus residents, number of school employees, characteristics of surrounding city and neighborhoods, and legislative statutes. * The above attachment is from the most recent Department of Justice statistics and I have underlined the most salient information. Our ratio is approximately one officer per 1,000 students at the U of I. Even if Chief Hargadine cannot submit supporting information, I want my information included. It really illustrates how far we are behind the national average. Chuck Green, University of Iowa Public Safety POPULATION AND PER CAPITA The City's current staffing ranking among other Iowa cities law enforcement agencies illustrates the low number of officers per resident grouping. The following information is taken from the 2007 National Directory of Law Enforcement Administrators (43rd Edition). CITIES POPULATION OFFICERS OFC PER 1000 Des Moines 198,000 374 1.89 Cedar Rapids 120,000 202 1.68 Davenport 98,226 159 1.62 Sioux City 80,505 124 1.54 Waterloo 68,000 117 1.72 Iowa City 63.000 73 1.16 Dubuque 57,546 93 1.62 Council Bluffs 57,082 116 2.03 Ames 53,284 51 .96 West Des Moines 50.000 63 1.26 Avg. = 1.5 UNIVERSITIES POPULATION OFFICERS OFC PER 1000 University of Iowa 40,000 31 .78 Iowa State Univ. 25,263 33 1.31 Avg. _ .98 The average number of officers for police departments in communities with populations of 50,000 to 99,999 in the West North Central region (includes Iowa} of the U.S. is 1.4 officers per 1,000 population. The sample is from 411 cities. This information is taken from the 2005 Crime in the United States, published by the U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigations. The 2006 report should be released soon. The average number of officers for police departments in communities of 50,000 to 99,999 nationwide is 1.8 per thousand. Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Department of Justice. The above information is an excerpt from information which was handed out to the Iowa City City Council at the 01-08-08 budget work session meeting by Sam Hargadine, City of Iowa City Police Chief.