Nearly 1/3 of Wisconsin Homicides are Domestic Violence Related
The murder rate in Wisconsin fell last year, from 67 killings in 2009 to 58 in 2010. Alarmingly, however, there was an average one murder per week in the state related to domestic violence, this according to the Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
The Coalition released their annual report this week at a press conference. “Domestic violence is the most urgent public safety concern in Milwaukee today,” said the Milwaukee County Chief Deputy District Attorney who was present at the conference, calling on everyone to work together on the issue.
One in four women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. And the women aren’t the only ones affected. Children are often witnesses or victims themselves. It’s estimated that 3 million children witness domestic violence every single year. And girls who see domestic violence as children are more likely to grow up and become victims themselves.
In an effort to curtail rising numbers, police began working with the Sojourner Family Peace Center last year and prosecutors were stationed at each of the police districts to help families dealing with domestic violence issues. This year they are expected to do more.
The city is looking at a variety of new initiatives to get a handle on the problem and prevent further killings. The Homicide Review Commission is looking at what can be done to assist families before the situations prove deadly. A summit is also being planned to address the problems encountered by teens involved in violent relationships, particularly in regards to teenage girls and older men.
Mayor Tom Barrett says the city must begin engaging the men in the issue because (although there are exceptions), “this is a man’s problem primarily.”
It’s believed poverty and unemployment play a role in the domestic violence killings and this is why, according to the Journal Sentinel, African Americans represent a larger percentage of the victims and perpetrators. The troubled economy could be playing a role in some of these killings.
Domestic violence cases are often the most difficult of any criminal cases. Not only because it’s hard for people in such close relationships to become adversaries in a court of law, but because it’s difficult to convince a victim to come forward in the first place. Once they do come forward, however, the system is designed to protect them and any children that may be involved.
If you are accused of a domestic violence crime, it’s completely normal to feel like the entire criminal justice system is against you—in many ways they are. Call for a Wisconsin criminal defense consultation on your case to see how we might be able to help.
