Sexual assaults in Dallas have shown a consistent pattern of decline over the past several years, with 665 reported cases in 2006 and 485 last year. Nonetheless, a spike this year - 377 assaults through August versus 316 last year over the same eight-month period - has concerned police officials, local politicians and safety advocates, and they are doing something about it.

Namely, they are inaugurating a sexual assault public awareness campaign that seeks to highlight the issue and bring the numbers back down. The initiative was formally kicked off at a news conference at Dallas City Hall on Wednesday, September 1, attended by the mayor, city manager, assistant police chief, city council members and advocates of several victims' rights groups.

Council member Delia Jasso spoke at the conference. "In our continuing effort to make Dallas the safest city in the country," she said, "we as a community must work together to reduce the number of sexual assaults committed against unwilling victims."

Police Chief David Brown stated his view that the rise in reported assaults represents an actual increase rather than simply an uptick in what has traditionally been regarded as an underreported crime. To combat the increase, his officers are engaging in diverse and multi-pronged activities that include an increased police presence in entertainment areas, forums and discussions at community venues, dissemination of prevention tips and other measures.

Assistant Police Chief Cynthia Villarreal said that these activities will be augmented by additional training for police officers "in what to look for in potential victims and [in how] to intervene before the offense occurs."

Police say that most rapes involve alcohol and previous acquaintances.

Related Resource: www.dallasnews.com "Dallas kicks off sexual assault awareness campaign" September 2, 2010