DV homicides of women increase

The U.S. Department of Justice just released in June, 2009, the latest study that indicates the trends in domestic violence over the past few years. It reads: "According to the Supplementary Homicide Reports of the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program in 2005, 1,181 females and 329 males were killed by their intimate partners. Intimate partner homicides constituted 30 percent of all female murders (1976-2004), and 3 percent of all male murders (1976-2005). The proportion of female homicide victims killed by an intimate partner is increasing."

What do we need to do as a society to decrease homicides of domestic violence? After working in this field for years, and seeing that we are making some progress, this study clearly indicates that things are not getting better for victims - they are getting worse. This obviously concerns me greatly - not just concerns me - but I am angered and saddened at the disparity in which we make domestic violence a priority - or should I say not a priority. As a country, we can send astronauts into space, we can find cures for diseases, and use technology for innovation, - which are all very good - and I know we can reduce domestic violence - but it is not a priority on the agenda.

Domestic Violence Center's experience clearly indicates that when domestic violence is in the news, or DVC is on TV, our hotline calls increase greatly. At times, they have doubled. So, one step we can all take is to make sure that we are always talking about it - that we are writing about it - that we are showing it and not hiding it. Another step - is to increase the funding for domestic violence programs. DVC is bursting at the seems with a great demand for services. A third step is to affect public policy and work for social change and systems change. But how can we serve more people in danger and in crisis - how can we keep women, men and children safe - when there is not an increase in funds for victims? This is such a critical issue when we are talking about people's lives and their safety.

Do you have any outlets that we can talk or write about domestic violence - print, radio, news?
What are your ideas about increasing funding? This is a community problem, as the costs are high - and we would like to hear your ideas. Lets work even harder at making domestic violence a priority - so the next report that comes out shows a decrease in DV homicides - not an increase like now.