Domestic Violence Is Still a Killer
Domestic violence killed 128 people in Texas last year. Photo courtesy flickr.com/jonyatesAudio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
A new report out today says 102 women were killed by their husbands, boyfriends or exes last year, and 26 other people also died in those incidents. Officials say some things can be done to lower those numbers.
The Texas Council on Family Violence conducts its annual report (PDF) to search for trends in order to help prevent this kind of violence. El Paso County has already implemented innovative methods to help women, according to the council’s Gloria Terry.
“If they don’t seek shelter, the DA’s office is making those contacts with the victim within 24 hours of the incident,” Terry said. “They’re also able to create quick evidence collection so they get photographs, they get testimony, so the victim may not even need to participate in the justice system.”
Terry says shelters are the first line of defense for victims of domestic violence. The report shows every major metropolitan area in Texas had people killed by domestic violence. The council is investigating some counties that didn’t have any deaths for more preventative practices.
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