Prevention Works

Do you have nomophobia?

The rise in use of smartphones has resulted in a new fear called nomophobia.  A recent survey by U.K.-based mobile security service provider SecurEnvoy conducted among 1,000 people found that two thirds (66%) of respondents fear losing or being without their mobile phone.  And it is on the rise — up 13% from just four years ago.  Nomophobia also includes the anxiety someone feels when not in the range of a cell tower to receive optimal reception.

If you live in the Washington Metropolitan Area you might be slightly more concerned about nomophobia given recent reports in the media.  Last week the Metropolitan Police Department reported a rise in the theft of smartphones in the District of Columbia.  In a Washington Post article Chief Cathy Lanier said, “It is the single fastest rising crime issue that I’ve seen in a long time.”  Lanier also said 40 to 50 percent of all robberies in the city are smartphone-related.

According to the article, the robberies have been a “snatch, grab, and run” type with the phones being resold quickly.  The average resale value for the phones is estimated to range from $100 - $300.  If this is happening in your area what can you do to protect your smartphone?

NCPC has a few tips:

• Be aware of your surroundings when using your smartphone in public.  Keep your smartphone close to you and do not leave it on a table, desk, or counter.
• Use passwords to lock your phone.
• Do not save your passwords on your smartphone for social media sites, banking, or other personal accounts.
• Know the phone number to report your missing or stolen smartphone.  When you call, the cell phone company can disable the phone remotely.
• Protect your smartphone by using a smartphone security pouch or smartphone security case
• Back up the information on your cell phone in case you lose or have your smartphone stolen.  Most cell phone companies offer backup assistance through your phone plans.
• Download a “find your phone” app or enable a Wipe feature on your phone. If you won’t be able to get your phone back, a Wipe application will clear all the data so your private information won’t fall into the wrong hands.  There is also other technology available that renders the phone useless if stolen.

Do you have any tips to add to this list?

For more information on the survey: http://mashable.com/2012/02/21/nomophobia/

Teen Domestic Violence Month

On February 14^th, of course, we celebrate Valentine’s Day, a day set aside to celebrate and acknowledge those we love. February is also a time to be aware of love gone awry, especially among an increasing number of teens. In 2010, response to the millions of high school students nationwide who experience abuse from a dating partner each year, Congress designated each February as Teen Domestic Violence Month.

Teen domestic violence isn’t just about hitting. It also includes yelling, threatening, or acts of possessiveness or harassment, such as constant phone calling or paging. A recent proclamation by President Obama highlights the severity of the problem--one in 10 high school students nationally report abuse by a boyfriend or girlfriend. Even more high school girls (one in five) experience sexual abuse by a dating partner. When we add reports of verbal or emotional abuse, like shaming or threats, the number increases to one in three teens.

Teens who are in abusive relationships almost never (two out of three) tell anyone, and according to the research, victims of teen dating violence are more likely to abuse drugs, tobacco, or alcohol; have eating disorders; or even commit suicide.

Many of us involved in crime prevention have at some point in our careers been involved in educating and working to prevent domestic violence among adults. As practitioners, parents, community volunteers, and youth leaders, what are we doing to address this growing problem of domestic violence among youth in the United States? We would love to hear some of the strategies that you are using in your community to help address this problem.

For NCPC resources and strategies, please visit www.ncpc.org. Additional information can be found at www.DCD.gov/features/datingviolence or www.WhiteHouse.gov/1is2many.

New Definition of Rape Changes Crime Reporting Standards

The history of sexual assault was changed in 2012 when Attorney General Eric Holder authorized a revised definition of rape. The previous definition, created in 1927, was “the carnal knowledge of a female, forcibly and against her will.” This definition was limited in sex of the victim and the type of physical attack. The new definition is “the penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim.” This definition, while more graphic than the previous one, covers the breath of possible victims as well as types of attacks.

First, by characterizing the victim as a person instead of a female, the new definition now includes men. The second change to note is the “without the consent” part of the definition. The previous definition indicated that rape was forcible and without consent, which is common in stranger rape, but is not always the case in acquaintance rape when a person is incapacitated. The new definition now includes victims that are influenced by drugs or alcohol, mental capacity, or age.

So what does this new definition mean? This definition will be used for the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report, which releases annual information on serious crimes committed in the United States. Since the new definition expands the category of victims and types of victimization, it allows for a more accurate reporting of the number of occurrences of rape each year.

All of the information in this blog came from the Department of Justice blog, which can be found here.  For more information on rape and sexual assault, visit RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network) at www.rainn.org.