HELP of Door County, Inc.

WCADV Releases New Report Detailing State Domestic Violence Homicides

In September 2009, The Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence released a homicide report which stated there were 33 domestic violence homicide incidents resulting in 46 deaths: 36 homicides and ten perpetrator suicides. Compared to recent years there were relatively few mulitple homicide incidents two with fewer victims four in those incidents. The number of victims and total deaths are slightly higher than in 2006 and slightly lower than 2007.

Since 1979, HELP of Door County, Inc. has been addressing the issue of domestic abuse in our community. Every loss of life due to domestic abuse is felt. Here are a few statistics taken from the report:

o   There was an average of three domestic violence homicide deaths per month in Wisconsin. When perpetrator suicides and deaths in conjunction with homicides are included the rate was almost four domestic violence related deaths per month.

o  Perpetrators of domestic violence homicide incidents were overwhelmingly male: 97% (33 of 34).

o   Two-thirds of victims were female (24 of 36). Most males who were murdered were killed by another male (10 of 11), either by their father, in the case of child homicides, or in conjunction with an attack on or in relation to a female partner who had left the relationship by divorce or separation. One male victim was also a homicide perpetrator who was killed when his adult son tried to protect his mother from the attack.

o At least 15 children and 25 adult children were left orphaned or without a mother or father as a result of a domestic violence homicide. Of the ten minor children who lost one parent, eight lost their mothers.

o When perpetrators had a record of arrest on domestic abuse related charges such as battering, restraining order or harassment order violations, or intimidating a victim, such charges were often dismissed or reduced to disorderly conduct thereby avoiding a firearms prohibition.

o Together the 2008 cases reflect the factors that research has found to be particularly associated with lethal violence and the risk of violence. These include, among other factors: stalking, strangulation, threats to kill the victim, threats to kill that the victim believes, threats to kill that are conveyed to tohers, forced sex, serious injury to the victim, access to or use of weapons, violence ouside the home, a victim who is attempting a permanent break, obsessive jealousy, and prior arrests, police calls, and/or restraining orders.

Yes, the loss of life is an outrage and so is the physical, mental, financial and emotional abuse that continues everyday for those caught in a domestic abuse situation. The response must continue - what can be done to stop this insanity?  

There are many ways to become involved in ending domestic violence. You can support HELP of Door County, Inc. through volunteering or by making financial contributions. The most important support is speaking up.  Speaking up can be frightening. A recent outcome measures study, piloted by the State of Wisconsin Department of Family Services, asked survivors how they heard about or found a domestic abuse agency or shelter. Of those responding, 31% heard from a friend, 24% from the police, 22% from a domestic violence advocate, 15% from social services agency, and 13% from a telephone book or flyer.

This study reaffirms victims of domestic abuse are more likely to seek and receive help if someone they know and trust assists them, even offering to go with them to their first appointment.  Being a voice is as simple as saying, “I know an agency that understands and will listen to you. Here is their number.”  Your voice is very important in ending domestic abuse in our community.

Did you know?

Battering is the leading cause of injury to women aged 15-44 in the U.S.

Around the world, one in three women has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused at some point during her lifetime.

Thirty percent of Americans say they know a woman who has been physically abused by her husband or boyfriend in the past year.  WCADV Sept. 25, 2008.

Safety Net Project & Census Team National Network to End Domestic Violence Washington D.C.

January – September HELP of Door County, Inc. Statistics:

● 414 Domestic Violence calls were received on the 24-hour crisis line this year
● 118 survivors were assisted through emergency shelter, transitional living or advocacy, including 26 children

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