Renee Padilla

October 25, 2023

Victim-ology CRJ1027

According to the Colorado Springs Police Department 2022 annual report of the 1,047

cases reported in 2022, which are not very high was a 9.4% increase from 2021in

which this was lower then the National average of 32.5% for rape cases in 2020. Of

those sexual assault cases 189 were cleared by arrest or exceptional means, clearance

rates are a measure of how many crimes are solved by law enforcement and as

mentioned above this means that the clearance rate was 18.1%. A case is considered

cleared when at least one person is arrested, charged, or turned over to the courts for

prosecution or it is when some element beyond police control precludes the physical

arrest of the offender such as death, denial or extradition. Clearance rates can vary

depending on the many factors such as the availability of evidence, witnesses and

resources, the cooperation of the victims and suspects and the complexity as well as
the

severity of the case. The Colorado Springs Police Department has a victims advocacy

unit that provides support and assistance to victims of sexual assault and other crimes.

They also supply and furnish a sexual offender page where you can look up and view

sexual predator information for offenders who reside within the Colorado Springs,

Colorado city limits. Sexual assault victims have certain rights under the Colorado

Victims Rights Act {VRA} which aims to ensure that they are treated with fairness,

dignity and respect by the Criminal Justice System some of these rights include:

The right to be informed of the status of the investigation and prosecution of the
case.

The right to be present and heard at critical stages such as bond hearings, plea
hearings,
sentencing hearings and parole hearings.

The right to confer with the prosecutor and provide a victim impact statement.

The right to be notified of the release or escape of the offender in custody.

The right to request restitution from the offender for any losses or damages
caused by

the crime.

The right to apply for financial assistance from the Crime Victim Compensation

program.

The right to receive support and assistance from the origination listed above
from the

victim advocacy unit of the Colorado Springs Police Department.

If you have any questions or concerns the staff can be reached at 719-444-7777
and via

email -Victim.Advocacy-unit@discolorations.gov.