Dear Dr Crime Dec 2017

Dear Dr. Crime: We live in a world filled with “sex” and I know the kids are in danger. What is our government doing about sexual harm to kids? Old Fashioned Pop

Dear Pop: The problem has not gone away and the feds are doing something, as are local jurisdictions. In just the past few days a new report was released by the US Department of Justiceⁱ showing that the annual number of persons prosecuted for commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) cases filed in U.S. district court nearly doubled between 2004 and 2013. The number increased from 1,405 to 2,776 cases and I am sure that is not near the number of “events” so we have to do more. Those defendant creeps were almost all white male US citizens without a bad background. Most got time. During that period the average federal sentence for such creeps almost doubled from 70 to 139 months. But, I emphasize, do not let down your guard.

Dear Dr. Crime: I get tired of hearing about race and crime, but if it is a factor let us know. Gentleman of Color

Dear Sir: So good to hear from you and I will try to give you some new information. But first, thanks for not just being mad and being part of the discussion. Some people do not fit that description. Yes, raceⁱⁱ continues to be a factor. The US Bureau of Statistics released a report on national figures for the past few years. Over half (51%) of violent victimizations were intraracial, (same race). That is both victims and offenders were the same race or both were of Hispanic origin. Of real interest was that from 1994 to 2015, white-on-white violence (down 79%) and black-on-black violence (down 78%) declined at a similar rate. There were no differences among white, black, and Hispanic intraracial victimizations reported to police. If we move towards Christian advice of compassion, helpfulness and love we might get this problem licked.

Dear Dr. Crime: Is suicide a problem? Seems we have such a good life no one would want to do that. What is the current story? Kid

Dear Kid: Yes it is a problem, not an isolated event. In factⁱⁱⁱ suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, involving over ½ a million people from 2001 -2015, mostly in rural areas.

Dear Dr. Crime. I am not sure I agree with you about the threat from sexual diseases. All is takes is a bit of care. STDs are not really a problem are they? Dating Girl

Dear Miss: Watch out^iv. A recent report shows such cases hit a record high in America. Last year there were 1.6 million cases of chlamydia, 470,000 cases of gonorrhea and 28,000 of syphilis. They impact all demographic groups.

Dear Dr. Crime: Help. What do I do? I have a case coming up in court and I have no money to hire a lawyer. Innocent Fellow

Dear Fellow: The North Carolina General Assembly created the Office of Indigent Defense Services (“IDS Office”) and its 13-member governing body, the Commission on Indigent Defense Services (“IDS Commission”). Those people are fine professionals. Go to you public library and use the computer to see http://ncids.org/ or Office of Indigent Defense Services, 123 W Main Street, Suite 400, Durham, NC 27701, Telephone: (919) 354-7200, Fax: (919) 354-7201. That is tax money well spent.

i The report, Federal Prosecution of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Cases, 2004-2013 (NCJ 250746), was written by William Adams and Abigail Flynn of the Urban Institute for BJS. The report, related documents and additional information about BJS’s statistical publications and programs can be found on the BJS website at www.bjs.gov/.

ii Rachel E. Morgan, Ph.D., BJS StatisticianOctober 19, 2017    NCJ 250747

iii By Ashley Welch CBS News October 5, 2017, 6:38 PMAmericans living in rural areas more likely to die by suicide

iv By/ Robert Preidt/ HealthDay/ September 26, 2017, 5:18 PM STD cases hit record high in the U.S.