The Trinity Center has operated under the name The Douglas County Task Force since 1990. The Trinity Center is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. The Trinity Center serves victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. The Trinity Center has provided non-residential, direct support services for victims of domestic violence since 2000, sexual assault services since 2009, opened it’s Child Advocacy Center (CAC) in Douglas County in 2017 and a CAC in Coweta County in March of 2023.
The Trinity Center facilitated monthly meetings to strengthen partnerships, recognize unmet victim needs, and improve client services. In 2007, The Trinity Center partnered with local law enforcement to establish the Domestic Violence Response Team to target victims of domestic violence who may have had law enforcement intervention. As a result, The Trinity Center continues to receive police reports where there have been allegations of domestic abuse. This allows the agency’s advocates to identify clients that may benefit from The Trinity Center’s services.
Local Statistics
Domestic Violence
In the first six months of 2023 alone, Douglas County reported a staggering 7,633 domestic violence calls: 243 of those with injuries and 116 domestic violence calls occurring in vehicles dangerously driving on the roadways. These are huge numbers compared to the 587 incidents reported during the entire year in 2017 (5 years ago). There are currently two domestic violence service providers in Douglas County and both centers continue to show high numbers of clients. There is clearly a severe need in Douglas County for the services that this agency provides. The survivors of these incidents required assistance to navigate the complexities of the legal system. Their safety is paramount and assisting these clients with obtaining protections orders may be the only way to ensure that the violence or harassment stops.
Domestic violence has been referred to as "the shadow pandemic" during COVID-19 lockdowns as rates across the country spiked to record levels. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) says the number of victims remains concerning. It is clear that Douglas County continues to struggle with acts of domestic violence and there is a clear need for services in this County.
Child Abuse Cases
RAINN reports that one in four men victims and one in three female victims of completed or attempted rape first experienced it between the age of 11 and 17; forty percent of raped and sexual assaults were reported to police in 2017, but only 25% were reported to police in 2018. In addition, RAINN Every 68 seconds another American is sexually assaulted and that a majority of child victims are 12-17. Of victims under the age of 18: 34% of victims of sexual assault and rape are under age 12, and 66% of victims of sexual assault and rape are age 12-17.
Crimes in Douglas and Coweta County has and continues to be a problem. These crimes are evident in both Douglas and Coweta County. From January 1, 2022, to June 2023, there were a total of 67 Rapes reported (Douglasville Police Department - 37; Douglas County Sheriff Office – 30); 60 Child Molestation cases (Douglasville Police Department – 34; Douglas County Sheriff Office – 26) and 62 Child Abuse cases reported (Douglasville Police Department – 36; Doulas County Sheriff Office – 25; and Villa Rica Police Department – 1). We have not received the statistics on calls for service from Coweta County, however the number of forensic interviews in that jurisdiction are included in this application. Moreover, in the first six months of 2023, The Trinity Center has provided more than 150 forensic interviews for the two counties, along with wrap around services. This speaks volumes as to meeting the needs of both communities.
Sexual Assault Cases
Data from NISVS indicate that the lifetime prevalence of experiencing contact sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner is 57% among multi-racial women, 48% among American Indian/Alaska Native women, 45% among non-Hispanic Black women, 37% among non-Hispanic White women, 34% among Hispanic women, and 18% among Asian-Pacific Islander women. The lifetime prevalence is 42% among multi-racial men, 41% among American Indian/Alaska Native men, 40% among non-Hispanic Black men, 30% among non-Hispanic White men, 30% among Hispanic men, and 14% among Asian-Pacific Islander men. Additionally, the NISVS special report on victimization by sexual orientation demonstrates that some sexual minorities are also disproportionately affected by IPV victimization; 61% of bisexual women, 37% of bisexual men, 44% of lesbian women, 26% of gay men, 35% of heterosexual women, and 29% of heterosexual men experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking from an intimate partner in their lifetimes.
The NSVRC reports, one in five women in the United States experienced completed or attempted rape during their lifetime (RAINN reports this as 1 in six); RAINN reports 1 in 32 men nationwide experienced completed or attempted rape during their lifetime, 81% of women and 43% of men reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment and/or assault in their lifetime; about one in four male victims of completed or attempted rape first experienced it between the ages of 11 and 17; forty percent of rapes and sexual assaults were reported to police in 2017, but only about 25% were reported to police in 2018; almost one in four undergraduate women experienced sexual assault or misconduct at 33 of the nation's major universities; over half (52.4%) of male victims report being raped by an acquaintance and 15.1% by a stranger; nearly a quarter (24.8%) of men in the U.S. experienced some form of contact sexual violence in their lifetime; one in three female victims of completed or attempted rape experienced it for the first time between the ages of 11 and 17; it is estimated that 734,630 people were raped (including threatened, attempted, or completed rape) in the U.S. in 2018; the prevalence of false reporting for sexual assault crimes is low — between two percent and 10 percent; about half (51.1%) of female victims of rape reported being raped by an intimate partner and 40.8% by an acquaintance and the estimated lifetime cost of rape is $122,461 per victim. The NSVRC’s research report was based on a variety of surveys. In addition, RAINN Every 68 seconds another American is sexually assaulted and that a majority of child victims are 12-17. Of victims under the age of 18: 34% of victims of sexual assault and rape are under age 12, and 66% of victims of sexual assault and rape are age 12-17.
Sex Crimes has and continues to be a problem in the United States. These crimes are evident in both Douglas and Coweta County. From January 1, 2022, to June 2023, there were a total of 67 Rapes reported (Douglasville Police Department - 37; Douglas County Sheriff Office – 30) and 60 Child Molestation cases (Douglasville Police Department – 34; Douglas County Sheriff Office – 26). We just opened the center in Coweta County and do not yet have their statistics, however, based on the demographics, community make up and resources, we anticipate similar numbers when we obtain their data.
The Program will provide forensic evidence collection/exams in accordance with The National Protocol for Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examinations. Victims may be referred to The Trinity Center by local law enforcement, Wellstar Douglas Hospital Emergency Department (WDHED), or Piedmont Hospital. Victims presenting to the The Trinity Center initially will be taken to the hospital in the event of injury. Victims presenting to the hospital initially will be medically cleared and referred to the The Trinity Center for forensic evidence collection and treatment.
If a victim does not want to report an assault, the victim still has the option of receiving a medical forensic exam, including complete medical forensic exam, documentation of biological and physical findings and collection of physical evidence, free of charge, in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 17-5-72 (b): (A victim shall have the right to have a forensic exam. Regardless of whether the victim participates in the criminal justice system or cooperates with law enforcement in pursuing prosecution of the underlying crime.) A victim shall not be required to pay, directly or indirectly, for the cost of a forensic exam. The cost of the exam shall be paid for by the Criminal Justice Coordination Council (CJCC).
