Tempe commission to fight domestic, sexual violence
Jun 26, 2015, 3:27 PM | Updated: 3:27 pm
PHOENIX — The Tempe City Council is working to reverse a rise in both domestic and sexual violence.
The council voted 6-0, with one councilmember absent, on Thursday to create the Family Justice Commission, which Councilwoman Lauren Kuby called the first of its kind.
“With the establishment of the Family Justice Commission, Tempe will be not just the first in Arizona, but in the nation to establish this integrated approach to the tackling of sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence and human trafficking,” she said. “All these issues occur in our community and they’re increasing.”
The city saw a 41 percent increase in sexual assaults and a 7 percent increase in domestic violence last year, according to Kuby.
The commission will help prevent cases of domestic violence and sexual assault by uniting various city resources.
The city is accepting applications for the commission, which Kuby said will likely include representatives from both Tempe and Arizona State University Police, ASU, the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence and other specialized non-profit and citizen organizations.
“That would just provide greater access to justice and safety for victims and survivors,” she said.
The commission will bring recommendations to the council that could be implemented by the city to help further combat domestic violence and sexual assault issues.
