By WHITNEE ICE
St. Joseph Post
Rape reports are down in St. Joseph. Police Chief Chris Connally says rape is often under reported. The pandemic likely had an impact.
“There’s certain categories like rape which is down but rape is one of the crimes that is often underreported; traditionally, historically and probably this year with the pandemic, sure that contributed as well,” Connally tells reporters during a news conference at the Law Enforcement Center.
Connally says the long term effects are concerning.
“Sometimes rapes would get through the emergency room. People are more reluctant to go to the emergency room or seek medical attention. That applies to a lot of child abuse. A lot of time child abuse, child neglect comes in through the schools and then for a period of time last year we had the schools closed,” Connally says.
Connally says victims are often reluctant to seek medical attention.