Annual Wisconsin Domestic Violence Homicide Report Released

Waukesha – According to the newly released Wisconsin Domestic Violence Homicide Report, 47 people in Wisconsin lost their lives to domestic violence in 2018. Patti Seger, Executive Director of End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin, announced the release of the report at the Women’s Center in Waukesha today along with Angela Mancuso, Executive Director of the Women’s Center, Landon Nyren, Lieutenant at City of Delafield Police and Buck Blodgett, Executive Director of The LOVE>hate Project.

Of the individuals who died because of domestic violence in 2018, 39 were victims of domestic violence homicides and 8 were perpetrators of homicides or attempted homicides who then committed suicide. End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin has been producing the annual report since 2000. Since 2005, firearms have killed more people in domestic violence homicides in WI than all other methods of killing combined. Firearms were the method of homicide in 65% of the 2018 cases, despite the fact that 29% of the perpetrators were legally prohibited from owning one, many due to previous charges of domestic violence.

“Domestic violence-related homicides are tragedies that can be prevented. 47 individuals lost their lives to domestic violence in 2018. Communities can and should take ownership of the solutions to domestic violence. If we continue to focus solely on abusers and victims and don’t address the underlying causes that support violence, we will never end it,” said Patti Seger, Executive Director of End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin.

The report contains a discussion of domestic violence lethality risk factors. 37% of victims were killed while trying to leave their relationship or after the relationship had ended. Knowledge of risk factors can help service providers identify victims who are at the greatest risk of being killed and provide them with enhanced outreach and services. No victim in Wisconsin should have to take the courageous step of leaving an abusive relationship without the safety and support offered by domestic violence victim advocates and without the benefit of a coordinated community response that is designed to protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable.

“This report highlights findings that point to clear warning signs for domestic violence killings that inform our daily interactions with victims as we work to empower survivors and prevent future domestic violence deaths. Domestic violence is a societal issue and our 2018 Homicide Report includes information on the work to end domestic violence through primary prevention.” said Seger.

We are all affected by the 47 individuals lost to domestic violence homicide last year. In our report, we included this reminder from one victim’s family member:

“She was a person; she wasn’t just a victim of a crime. Her daughter wasn’t just some little girl that was killed. They were people. They were so much to so many people. They were people who had lives and people who cared for them.”

To review the report, please visit our website at: http://www.endabusewi.org/homicide-reports/

End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin: The Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence is the leading voice for victims of domestic abuse in Wisconsin. At End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin, we educate shelter and program volunteers and advocates, law enforcement, legislators, and community members to provide safety and support to survivors. We strive to shift Wisconsin from the attitudes and beliefs that cause domestic violence to values of mutual respect and equality, and we partner with communities in the effort to prevent and end domestic abuse. We encourage reporters to include the National Domestic Violence Hotline number [1−800−799−SAFE(7233)] in their stories for victims who need help. A list of local Wisconsin domestic violence victim service providers can be found at http://www.endabusewi.org.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.