Fifty-nine domestic violence deaths occurred in the state in 2009, compared to 36 the year before according to a report by the Wisconsin Coalition against Domestic Violence (WCADV). This was in a year that violent crime and murders in the state and US were down.
“I can’t explain the disparity in an empirical way. I do think the nature of domestic violence is different than general crime,” says Executive Director Patti Seger.
WCADV has heard from victims statewide that the poor economy is leaving them with no means to move out of an abusive home where violence escalates over time.
“While these numbers are shocking they aren’t entirely surprising, in a sad and grim way,” she says.
The preliminary figures are assembled from media reports. Seger expects the numbers to be higher in its final spring tally after reviewing law enforcement’s statistics, as some homicides do not get news coverage.
Brian Moon reports (:61)