Home Statistics Main Page 2000 UCR Statistics Table of Contents News and Events

Section I Section II Section III Section IV Section V Section VI
           
Section VII Section VIII Section IX Section X Section XI Section XII

           

SECTION XI

Domestic Violence

 

INTRODUCTION

 

The violence within the American domicile has been recognized for decades by elements of government and society with little done to correct the problem. Only recently has this phenomenon begun to receive the attention it deserves. In an effort to understand, identify and treat the incidents of abuse occurring in the home, the State of New Jersey, through its legislature, has provided the means to gain a meaningful insight into this issue.

In 1982, the Domestic Violence Act was instituted to protect battered victims and study the complex problems that spark such aggressive behavior. This legislation also provided the opportunity to identify the causes of violence in the home and put forth a more comprehensive effort to combat the crime of Domestic Violence.

Improvements since the implementation of the Domestic Violence Act are continuing. Pursuant to a change in N.J.S.A. 2C:25-24 enacted, June 9, 1999, arrest data is presented by county. Domestic Violence Restraining Order violations are now captured and reported. Revised investigation and reporting procedures by the police; improved processing of domestic complaints by the courts; mandatory in-service training for police and court personnel have all enabled the victim to come forward and implement the constitutional rights granted to all Americans.

The following pages of narrative and graphics in this chapter are the result of gathered data displaying the complexities of domestic violence found within the State of New Jersey. It is through analysis of this data that, hopefully, the keys to preventing future violence can be found.

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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE STATISTICAL SUMMARY

 

Highlights of the 2000 domestic violence statistics are listed below:

  • There were 77,680 domestic violence offenses reported by the police in 2000, a 4% decrease compared to the 80,681 reported in 1999.
  • Murders decreased 29% in 2000 (39) when compared to 1999 (55).
  • Assaults accounted for 47% (36,602) and harassment accounted for 38% (29,869) of the reported offenses in 2000.
  • Arrests were made in 33% (25,774) of the offenses reported for 2000, a decrease of 2% when compared to 1999 (26,240).
  • The most frequent day of domestic violence occurrences was Sunday (14,298).
  • For the eighteenth consecutive year, the most frequent hours of domestic violence incidents were between 8:00 p.m. and midnight, when 29% (22,386) of the offenses were reported.
  • Children were involved or present during 39% of all domestic violence offenses occurring in 2000. Specifically, 6% (4,800) were involved and 33% (25,786) were present.
  • Wives were the victims in 23% (17,903) and ex-wives were the victims in 3% (2,294) of the reported domestic violence offenses in 2000. Overall, females were victims in 78% (60,377) of all domestic violence offenses.
  • The number of domestic violence complaints that had prior court orders issued against the offender increased from 16,194 in 1999 to 18,987 in 2000. This is an increase of 17%.
  • Alcohol and/or drugs were involved in 32% (24,850) of the reported offenses occurring in 2000. Alcohol involvement alone accounted for 29% (22,195) of the total domestic violence offenses reported.
  • Persons age 60 or over were victims in 3% (2,127) of all reported domestic violence offenses that occurred in 2000. Elderly were the victims in 21% (8) of the domestic violence murders (39).
  • Domestic violence does not occur at a regular frequency, but when viewed as a ratio of its occurrence to a fixed time interval, one act of domestic violence would occur every 6 minutes and 46 seconds.
  • Domestic violence offenses arising from a dating relationship accounted for 13% (9,836) of the state total.
  • There were 3,878 total arrests involving domestic violence restraining orders reported by police in 2000. Of these, 1,789 were arrests for violations of a restraining order only, while 2,089 were arrests for violations of a restraining order with an offense arrest.
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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OFFENSES/ARRESTS 1999/2000

 
Domestic Violence
Offense
Number of Offenses Number of Arrests Percent of Offenses
Involving an Arrest
Homicide 1999 55 38 69
2000 39 21 54
Percent Change -29 -45 -22
Assault 1999 39,474 19,098 48
2000 36,602 18,338 50
Percent Change -7 -4 4
Terroristic Threats 1999 4,851 1,348 28
2000 4,395 1,312 30
Percent Change -9 -3 7
Kidnapping 1999 25 7 28
2000 33 16 48
Percent Change 32 & 71
Criminal Restraint 1999 132 58 44
2000 131 58 44
Percent Change -1 0 0
False Imprisonment 1999 42 20 48
2000 37 17 46
Percent Change -12 -15 -4
Sexual Assault 1999 200 77 39
2000 196 66 34
Percent Change -2 -14 -13
Criminal Sexual Contact 1999 52 16 31
2000 59 18 31
Percent Change 13 13 0
Lewdness 1999 11 3 27
2000 5 - 0
Percent Change & & &
Criminal Mischief 1999 4,712 1,508 32
2000 4,727 1,578 33
Percent Change * 5 3
Burglary 1999 688 186 27
2000 633 215 34
Percent Change -8 16 26
Criminal Trespass 1999 828 369 45
2000 658 271 41
Percent Change -21 -27 -9
Harassment 1999 29,266 3,426 12
2000 29,869 3,789 13
Percent Change 2 11 8
Stalking 1999 345 86 25
2000 296 75 25
Percent Change -14 -13 0
TOTAL 1999 80,681 26,240 33
2000 77,680 25,774 33
Percent Change -4 -2 0

     Incidents are reported soon after they occur; therefore, arrests made after that time are not included.

    &   Percent not calculated due to small volume.

    * Less than one-half of one percent.

 
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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OFFENSES/ARRESTS BY COUNTY

 
County Year Homicide Assault Terroristic Threats Kidnapping Criminal Restrai False Imprison-ment Sexual Assault Criminal Sexual Contact Lewdness Criminal Mischief Burglary Criminal Trespass Harassment Stalking County Total Percent Change Arrests
Atlantic 1999 3 1,984 234 - 2 2 8 2 1 227 27 27 2,572 17 5,106 -2 1,257
200 2 1,979 194 3 5 2 14 1 - 201 35 27 2,513 14 4,990 1,505
Bergen 1999 5 2,462 380 2 7 6 10 7 - 206 35 109 2,523 35 5,787 -2 1,606
200 1 2,338 368 1 12 2 11 5 2 215 29 92 2,594 28 5,698 1,688
Burlington 1999 6 1,931 95 - 5 - 9 2 - 214 26 42 1,499 6 3,835 -13 2,070
200 2 1,599 89 1 4 3 6 3 - 199 13 37 1,389 2 3,347 1,938
Camden 1999 5 4,028 285 4 12 5 25 3 1 550 114 69 2,687 38 7,826 -5 2,984
200 2 3,861 272 4 10 4 21 6 - 544 83 60 2,507 23 7,397 2,902
Cape May 1999 1 634 48 - 1 - 2 - - 78 4 27 739 4 1,538 -9 521
200 1 557 41 1 2 2 3 - - 68 4 22 689 5 1,395 485
Cumberland 1999 - 1,520 81 3 11 1 8 2 - 217 30 17 620 7 2,517 5 995
200 1 1,553 99 2 10 - 6 1 1 190 28 30 718 5 2,644 1,064
Essex 1999 11 4,803 978 7 20 5 27 7 - 395 112 53 919 52 7,389 -23 2,534
200 5 3,488 684 4 17 1 27 6 - 351 77 36 960 45 5,701 2,113
Gloucester 1999 1 1,402 108 - 10 1 5 1 - 192 13 40 1,060 4 2,837 -4 954
200 1 1,251 113 - 2 1 4 4 - 200 19 35 1,096 11 2,737 909
Hudson 1999 3 3,431 518 4 12 3 10 4 2 278 64 22 1,683 42 6,076 -1 1,637
200 - 3,316 509 7 6 5 18 9 1 295 72 16 1,713 40 6,007 1,536
Hunterdon 1999 - 181 16 - - 1 - - - 18 - 10 252 2 480 6 118
200 - 169 28 1 4 - 1 1 - 16 - 10 279 1 510 123
Mercer 1999 1 1,613 47 - 5 4 8 1 1 295 33 45 1,103 16 3,172 9 1,007
200 4 1,713 60 - 10 3 13 - - 246 41 28 1,320 14 3,452 1,024

 
County Year Homicide Assault Terroristic Threats Kidnapping Criminal Restraint False Imprison-ment Sexual Assault Criminal Sexual Contact Lewdness Criminal Mischief Burglary Criminal Trespass Harassment Stalking County Total Percent Change Arrests
Middlesex 1999 2 2,551 436 - 11 2 14 1 1 369 42 51 1,805 12 5,297 -3 1,663
200 2 2,442 378 3 4 2 17 5 - 393 48 42 1,785 19 5,140 1,715
Monmouth 1999 5 2,587 286 1 8 1 12 - 2 386 40 61 2,469 18 5,876 -6 2,004
200 1 2,317 267 1 13 4 5 3 - 397 33 52 2,406 19 5,518 1,731
Morris 1999 2 1,001 148 - 7 - 1 2 - 159 16 49 1,026 13 2,424 3 786
200 4 919 170 - 8 3 5 2 - 157 13 28 1,175 12 2,496 758
Ocean 1999 1 2,114 406 - 2 4 7 1 1 304 46 87 2,390 24 5,387 6 1,243
200 3 2,179 403 4 3 3 6 3 1 333 33 53 2,660 17 5,701 1,336
Passaic 1999 4 2,473 456 3 9 3 20 8 - 210 41 25 1,096 30 4,378 -1 1,525
200 4 2,537 410 - 7 1 14 5 - 231 40 21 1,031 14 4,315 1,569
Salem 1999 - 472 24 - - 1 - - - 62 7 13 352 3 934 -23 366
200 - 373 20 - 2 - 1 - - 66 1 11 244 1 719 307
Somerset 1999 1 912 37 1 1 2 9 2 1 130 9 22 1,469 7 2,603 -2 665
200 - 828 23 - 2 - 6 2 - 169 11 15 1,489 6 2,551 694
Sussex 1999 - 378 51 - 3 - 4 1 - 69 1 9 544 5 1,065 3 314
200 1 377 53 - - - 2 - - 66 1 7 581 4 1,092 291
Union 1999 3 2,635 183 - 4 1 20 5 - 299 27 40 2,004 7 5,228 * 1,710
200 4 2,455 181 1 7 1 14 3 - 325 51 30 2,136 10 5,218 1,860
Warren 1999 1 362 34 - 2 - 1 3 1 54 1 10 454 3 926 14 281
200 1 351 33 - 3 - 2 - - 65 1 6 584 6 1,052 226
TOTAL 1999 55 39,474 4,851 25 132 42 200 52 11 4,712 688 828 29,266 345 80,681 -4 26,240
200 39 36,602 4,395 33 131 37 196 59 5 4,727 633 658 29,869 296 77,680 25,774
 

* Less than one-half of one percent.

 
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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OFFENSES/ARRESTS

1996 Through 2000

 
Domestic Violence Offense 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
Offenses Arrests Offenses Arrests Offenses Arrests Offenses Arrests Offenses Arrests
Homicide 43 25 50 38 62 47 55 38 39 21
Assault 43,017 20,947 41,738 20,461 40,727 19,453 39,474 19,098 36,602 18,338
Terroristic Threats 5,057 1,294 4,922 1,306 4,712 1,254 4,851 1,348 4,395 1,312
Kidnapping 22 6 37 13 41 18 25 7 33 16
Criminal Restraint 121 45 121 42 126 53 132 58 131 58
False Imprisonment 27 15 31 18 37 19 42 20 37 17
Sexual Assault 176 73 185 62 198 69 200 77 196 66
Criminal Sexual Contact 67 30 56 20 59 15 52 16 59 18
Lewdness 10 4 20 4 14 2 11 3 5 -
Criminal Mischief 4,522 1,461 4,631 1,550 4,744 1,504 4,712 1,508 4,727 1,578
Burglary 647 177 651 184 665 173 688 186 633 215
Criminal Trespass 765 330 786 368 772 379 828 369 658 271
Harassment 30,191 3,555 29,054 3,553 28,949 3,413 29,266 3,426 29,869 3,789
Stalking 353 77 345 67 348 73 345 86 296 75
TOTAL 85,018 28,039 82,627 27,686 81,454 26,472 80,681 26,240 77,680 25,774

Stalking was first reported in 1995.
  • Arrests for domestic violence offenses decreased 2%.
  • The violent crimes of homicide (39), aggravated assault (1,764) and sexual assault (196) accounted for 3% of reported domestic violence offenses (77,680).
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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OFFENSES BY TYPE OF WEAPON

AND EXTENT OF INJURY

1999/2000


Extent of Injury
Type of Weapon Aggravated
Serious
Non-Aggravated
Minor
None TOTAL
Gun 1999 131 42 103 276
2000 45 42 200 287
Percent Change -66 0 94 4
Knife 1999 756 672 282 1,710
2000 484 552 587 1,623
Percent Change -36 -18 108 -5
Other Dangerous Weapon 1999 730 1,346 207 2,283
2000 477 1,199 490 2,166
Percent Change -35 -11 137 -5
Hands, Fists, Feet, etc. 1999 1,184 26,603 7,822 35,609
2000 844 20,397 12,457 33,698
Percent Change -29 -23 59 -5
None 1999 - - 40,803 40,803
2000 - - 39,906 39,906
Percent Change - - -2 -2
TOTAL 1999 2,801 28,663 49,217 80,681
2000 1,850 22,190 53,640 77,680
Percent Change -34 -23 9 -4

* Less than one-half of one percent.
  • Thirty-one percent (24,040) of all domestic violence complaints resulted in injury. This is a 24% decrease when compared to the 31,464 that occurred in 1999.
  • Of all the domestic violence offenses involving weapons (37,774), hands, fists, feet, etc. were used in 89% (33,698) of these offenses.
  • Domestic violence offenses involving a gun increased 4% when compared to 1999.
  • Serious injuries were reported in 1,850 offenses, a 34% decrease when compared to the 2,801 reported in 1999.
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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OFFENSES BY TYPE & SEX OF VICTIM 2000

 
Type of Offense Relationship of Victim to Offender

Total Number
of
Offenses
Spouse Ex-spouse Co-parent Relative Friend Ex- friend Total
Homicide Male 1 - 1 7 5 - 14 39
Female 9 1 2 4 6 3 25
Assault Male 2,261 178 1,133 1,663 2,704 528 8,467 36,602
Female 7,911 526 5,654 2,729 8,931 2,384 28,135
Terroristic Threats Male 160 38 81 181 122 113 695 4,395
Female 1,123 235 621 355 649 717 3,700
Kidnapping Male - - - - - - 0 33
Female 4 1 10 1 10 7 33
Criminal Restraint Male 1 1 1 1 1 4 9 131
Female 32 3 22 9 35 21 122
False Imprisonment Male 1 - - - - - 1 37
Female 9 - 6 2 15 4 36
Sexual Assault Male - - - 1 5 2 8 196
Female 44 5 18 10 68 43 188
Criminal Sexual Contact Male - - - - 2 1 3 59
Female 15 3 6 9 18 5 56
Lewdness Male - - - 1 - - 1 5
Female 1 - - 1 2 - 4
Criminal Mischief Male 247 43 196 220 351 248 1,305 4,727
Female 846 89 567 555 935 430 3,422
Burglary Male 8 14 12 30 28 29 121 633
Female 82 31 87 70 78 164 512
Criminal Trespass Male 17 17 17 24 29 31 135 658
Female 95 51 92 83 99 103 523
Harassment Male 1,916 407 770 951 1,529 941 6,514 29,869
Female 7,677 1,322 3,464 2,255 5,033 3,604 23,355
Stalking Male 1 5 4 1 3 16 30 296
Female 55 27 22 4 37 121 266
TOTAL Male 4,613 703 2,215 3,080 4,779 1,913 17,303 -
Female 17,903 2,294 10,571 6,087 15,916 7,606 60,377
GRAND TOTAL 22,516 2,997 12,786 9,167 20,695 9,519 - 77,680

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ANALYSIS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

(Alcohol or Drugs Involved)*

2000

 
Domestic Violence
Offense
Total Number of Offenses Substance Involved Total Alcohol and Drugs Percent of Offenses Involving Alcohol
or Drugs
Only Alcohol Only Drugs Both Alcohol and Drugs
Homicide 39 13 - 2 15 38.5
Assault 36,602 12,675 626 802 14,103 38.5
Terroristic Threats 4,395 831 116 115 1,062 24.2
Kidnapping 33 5 1 5 11 33.3
Criminal Restraint 131 31 6 6 43 32.8
False Imprisonment 37 8 2 1 11 29.7
Sexual Assault 196 46 5 9 60 30.6
Criminal Sexual 59 20 - 1 21 35.6
Lewdness 5 - 1 - 1 20.0
Criminal Mischief 4,727 1,455 83 96 1,634 34.6
Burglary 633 101 33 9 143 22.6
Criminal Trespass 658 159 7 8 174 26.4
Harassment 29,869 6,824 360 356 7,540 25.2
Stalking 296 27 3 2 32 10.8
TOTAL 77,680 22,195 1,243 1,412 24,850 32.0

*  Indicates alcohol or drug use by either victim or offender.
 
  • Drugs or alcohol were involved in 38% (15) of domestic violence homicides.
  • Thirty-two percent (24,850) of the reported acts of domestic violence (77,680) involved the use of drugs or alcohol.
 
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OFFENSES AGAINST ELDERLY VICTIMS

(60 Years of age or over)

2000

 
Domestic Violence Offense Total Number of Offenses Relationship of Victim to Offender
Spouse Ex- Co- Relative Friend Ex-friend
M F M F M F M F M F M F
Homicide 8 - 3 - - - - 2 2 1 - - -
Assault 812 82 169 3 3 8 11 161 237 59 63 10 6
Terroristic Threats 157 2 29 - 3 1 3 30 59 9 14 2 5
Kidnapping 0 - - - - - - - - - - - -
Criminal Restraint 2 - - - - - - - 2 - - - -
False Imprisonment 0 - - - - - - - - - - - -
Sexual Assault 2 - 2 - - - - - - - - - -
Criminal Sexual 1 - 1 - - - - - - - - - -
Lewdness 1 - - - - - - 1 - - - - -
Criminal Mischief 155 5 7 - - 3 - 31 86 6 11 2 4
Burglary 25 - - - - 2 - 4 14 1 1 1 2
Criminal Trespass 31 - 1 1 - 1 - 8 15 - 3 2 -
Harassment 932 60 184 3 9 5 14 161 364 51 50 12 19
Stalking 1 - - - - - - - - - - - 1
TOTAL 2,127 149 396 7 15 20 28 398 779 127 142 29 37
 
  • Assaults accounted for 38% (812) of all domestic violence offenses for victims 60 years old or over.
  • Females age 60 or over were the victims in 66% (1,397) of the 2,127 elderly abuse offenses.
  • Persons age 60 or over were the victims in 3% (2,127) of all the reported domestic violence offenses during this period.
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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OFFENSES BY TIME OF DAY

1999/2000

 
 
  • During 2000, 29% (22,386) of the reported domestic violence offenses occurred between 8:00 p.m. and 12 midnight.
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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OFFENSES BY DAY OF WEEK

1999/2000

 
 
  • Sunday recorded the highest number of occurrences in 2000 with 14,298 offenses.
  • During 2000, 36% (27,608) of the reported domestic violence offenses occurred during the weekend (Saturday and Sunday).
 
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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OFFENSES BY MONTH OF YEAR

1999/2000

 
 
  • In 2000, the highest number of domestic violence offenses occurred during the month of July.
  • During 2000, the month with the lowest number of reported domestic violence offenses was November.
 
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RESTRAINING ORDER ARRESTS BY COUNTY

2000

 
Domestic Violence Restraining Order Only Domestic Violence Restraining Order with Offense Arrest Total Arrests Involving Domestic Violence Restraining Orders
ATLANTIC 98 137 235
BERGEN 83 244 327
BURLINGTON 89 108 197
CAMDEN 195 326 521
CAPE MAY 49 58 107
CUMBERLAND 78 69 147
ESSEX 119 132 251
GLOUCESTER 95 101 196
HUDSON 98 108 206
HUNTERDON 13 9 22
MERCER 68 84 152
MIDDLESEX 93 95 188
MONMOUTH 91 86 177
MORRIS 73 59 132
OCEAN 160 101 261
PASSAIC 116 93 209
SALEM 41 30 71
SOMERSET 87 44 131
SUSSEX 22 19 41
UNION 87 176 263
WARREN 34 10 44
STATE 1,789 2,089 3,878
 
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