Delaware

State Overview

State Summary

The state's domestic violence legislation includes only heterosexual couples who are currently residing together or have resided together in the past. The state is NIBRS-certified and in addition to the required NIBRS elements collects name and date of birth information. Law enforcement agencies submit NIBRS data to the Delaware State Police State Bureau of Identification Uniform Crime Reporting Section. The data are also shared with the Delaware Criminal Justice Information System (DELJIS), which networks the criminal justice system data in the state, including protection orders.

The Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence and CONTACT Delaware, which houses the Sexual Assault Network of Delaware, do not collect data from local service providers. The Coalition Against Domestic Violence does not offer services, only provides resources and referrals to local providers. CONTACT Delaware maintains the Rape Crisis Center and does collect information on clients seen at its facility. The Criminal Justice Council collects aggregate totals from local service providers that receive federal family violence or victims of crime grants. The information is compiled into an annual report to fulfill the Council's grant requirements. A yearly public report is also available upon request.

The Domestic Violence Coordinating Council does not collect data, but rather brings domestic violence service providers and state officials together to identify and implement improvements to victim response through legislation, education, and policy development. The Delaware Attorney General's Office collects statistics for Violence Against Women Act prosecutors in Kent and Sussex Counties. Although no reports are produced, the information is available upon request.

State Projects

Available Reports

General Crime

• Gannon, B. A., Harris, R. J., Hicklin, B. J., and O'Connell, J. P. (2004).  Crime in Delaware 2002. Office of the Budget.
• Violent Crimes Compensation Board. (2003).  Annual report, fiscal year 2002.

Domestic Violence

• Child, Inc. (Annual). Annual program service report.
• Domestic Violence Coordinating Council. (Annual). Annual report.
• Domestic Violence Coordinating Council. (Annual). Fatal incident review report.

Sexual Assault

• CONTACT Delaware. (Annual). Annual program report.

Sample Data Collection Forms

The Criminal Justice Council collects annual aggregate statistics from local service providers using these forms:

•  CJC Subgrant Annual Performance Report, Victims of Crime Act Victim Assistance Grant Program
•  CJC Family Violence Prevention and Services Reporting Form

Child Inc. collects New Castle County aggregate counts using this form:

• Domestic Violence Collection Form

Available Data

Domestic Violence

• Keilitz, S., Hannaford, P. L., and Efkeman, H. S. (1995). Benefits and limitations of civil protection orders for victims of domestic violence in Wilmington, Delaware, Denver, Colorado, and DC, 1994-1995. NACJD Study No. 2557.

Links to State Agencies and Resources

• Delaware Office of the Budget Statistical Analysis Center
• Delaware State Police State Bureau of Identification
• Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence
• CONTACT Delaware
• Child, Inc
• Criminal Justice Council
• Domestic Violence Coordinating Council