Sexual Assaults Up 86% in Providence — Smiley Administration Confused on Data

Sexual Assaults Up 86% in Providence — Smiley Administration Confused on Data

The number of recent sexual assaults has increased at an alarming in the City of Providence, according to Providence Police data.

The number of sexual assaults jumped 86% in a 28-day period. The number increased from 7 sexual assaults for the same time last year to 13 this year.

The Smiley administration denied its own police department data. “We've reviewed the data from the last four weeks, and there was not an 80% increase. We are concerned that there was a 20% increase over that period compared to last year, but we're comforted that the data is showing a 22% decrease year-to-date from last year,” said Josh Estrella, spokesperson for Smiley.

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GoLocal forwarded the report to Estrella and Smiley's chief of staff, Emily Crowell, requesting if the city's report was incorrect or if they were wrong in reading the data, but neither responded to clarify the error. GoLocal followed up two additional times with both Smiley staffers.

 

 

 

The city’s own data shows an 86% increase. 

According to the City of Providence, a sexual assault is defined as "Sex offenses, forcible includes forcible rape, forcible sodomy, forcible fondling, sexual assault with an object."

The time period of the data is February 26 to March 24, 2024.

The number of assaults has dipped for the year to date, but the recent upswing points to a significant trend.

Year to date, there have been 24 sexual assaults in Providence.

Smiley's spokesperson Estrella also said before going mute, "However, every report of sexual assault is concerning. Here in Providence, our focus is on holding those responsible for these assaults accountable, investigating these crimes, and ensuring that these victims feel safe reporting them and supported after they occur. If anyone has been the victim of a crime, they are encouraged to report their assault immediately to Providence Police."