FAYETTEVILLE — The rate of rape prosecutions in Benton and Washington counties combined has increased more than 350 percent in the past nine years, according to data provided by local prosecutors.

“It’s hard to come up with an exact explanation for the numbers, but I think it’s a combination,” Washington County District Attorney Matt Durrett said. “It has something to do with population growth, but I also think we’re doing a better job of investigating these things or more advanced work.”

Law enforcement and prosecutors are also doing a better job of getting victims to come forward, he added.

Meanwhile, the counties’ combined rate of prosecutions for other violent crimes does not show the same gains. For example, prosecutions for serious assault increased by 22.5%