District of Columbia

State Overview - State Summary - State Projects
Available Reports - Sample Data Collection Forms - Available Data - Links

State Overview

Domestic Violence Legislation:	Yes (16-1051)
NIBRS Status:	Developing
Additional IBR Elements:	Yes
Law Enforcement DV System:	Incident-based
Service Provider DV System:	Incident-based
Service Provider SA System:	Incident-based

State Summary

The District of Columbia has legislation in place that defines domestic violence, including same-sex romantic relationships. The DC Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) collects incident-based data but does not report NIBRS data to the FBI. The DC Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD), on the other hand, is NIBRS certified and provides incident-level information. The MTPD does collect data elements in addition to what is required by NIBRS.

The MPD reports incidents that have been identified as domestic violence cases. When an incident is flagged as domestic, a supplemental report is completed, which includes various information about the offense, victim, and suspect. Only sexual assault and stalking arrests are tracked in the arrests database, however. A specialized unit of MPD, the Domestic Violence Unit, summarizes the number of domestic violence cases and provides the information in an annual fact sheet. Similarly, the Sexual Assault Unit compiles forcible rape statistics using the Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP) system. This unit also submits a daily morning report on sexual assault incidents to each district and an annual report to the Mayor.

The Domestic Violence Unit of the District of Columbia Superior Court manages all domestic violence cases that come through the criminal justice system. The unit submits monthly and annual reports to the Executive Office, which publishes the information in its annual report. The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice's Office of Victim Services administers state funds to crime victim service providers. In return, those agencies provide OVS with counts of the number of clients seen on a monthly basis. These data are not currently provided to the public.

The DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence collects incident-based data that are reported to the Office of Victim's Services. The DC Rape Crisis Center also collects incident-level data on hotline calls and shelter visits. Currently, this information is only for internal use.

State Projects

Survivors and Advocates for Empowerment (SAFE) Program
The DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence helps domestic violence victims through the criminal justice process. With the US Attorney's Office and Women Empowered Against Violence, the program provides court escorts, information, and referrals to victims and their children.

Coalition Building Project
The DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence is working to build alliances between service providers, educators, lawyers, advocates and victims to reduce the provision of duplicate services, identify service gaps, and determine what services could be provided jointly.

Available Reports

General Crime

Metropolitan Police Department. (Monthly). Crime and activity statistics.

Domestic Violence

DC Court System. (Annual). Annual report.
DC Metropolitan Police Department. (2005). Domestic violence fact sheet.
Steketee, M. W., Levey, L. S., and Keilitz, S. L. (2000). Implementing an integrated domestic violence court: Systemic change in the District of Columbia. National Center for State Courts

Sexual Assault

DC Court System. (Annual). Annual report.
Metro Transit Police. (Annual). Year-to-date crime report.

Sample Data Collection Forms

The Metro Transit Police Department uses this form to collect information about reported offenses:

Event Report

This is the sexual assault report presented daily to the Metropolitan Police Department's Chief, Assistant Chiefs, and Office of the Superintendent of Detectives Commanding Officer:

Year-to-Date Sexual Assault Unit Statistics

These are the hotline and intake forms used by the DC Rape Crisis Center:

This is the data entry screen used by the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence:

New Client Entry Form

Superior Court collects information from victims applying for compensation using this form:

Application for Crime Victims Compensation

Available Data

General Crime Statistics

Metropolitan Police Department (Annual). Annual Index Crime Totals, 1993 - Present.
Metropolitan Police Department (Annual). Monthly Preliminary Crime Statistics.