The rates of reported major domestic violence crimes in Seattle have fallen about 36 percent over the past decade, according to a new report.

The first biennial report on domestic violence aims to raise public awareness of all aspects of domestic violence - what it is, who it affects, and how the community responds to domestic violence. The report is the first to include national and local criminal justice and service data that helps explain the scope of the problem in our region. The report also includes the city's efforts to address these problems and gaps in services.

Locally and nationally, both overall crime rates and rates of reported domestic violence crimes show a declining trend. The rate of major domestic violence crimes (murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault) in Seattle has been declining since 1997 from 150 incidents per 100,000 to 110 incidents per 100,000 people in 2006 - a 36 percent decline. There is also a significant declining trend in the rate of domestic violence simple assaults in Seattle from 633.7 per 100,000 people in 1997 to 437.2 per 100,000 in 2006.

However, domestic violence continues to be a pervasive and destructive societal problem that affects individuals of all socioeconomic, racial, gender, age and other demographic groups. For nearly 30 years, the city of Seattle has developed and funded new and aggressive criminal justice and community-based systems and programs for holding batterers accountable and for helping victims and survivors gain safety.