An annual report details domestic violence deaths in Wisconsin. Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence Director Patti Segar says the latest numbers; 46 lives lost in 2005, include six perpetrators who committed suicide.
The overall homicide rate increased sharply from 2004 to 2005. There was a similar increase in domestic violence homicides-from 28 homicides in 2004 to 40 in 2005. Victims reflected the span of life, from 6 months gestation to 88 years, and were from every region of the state, in 18 counties. Of 34 total incidents, 26 involved a known history of prior domestic violence. Half of the intimate partner related homicides involved a victim who was attempting to leave or had already left an abusive partner. Shooting was the most common method of killing (21), followed by stabbing (7), beating (6), and strangulation (3). 28 minor children and 18 adult children were left orphan ed or without a mother or father.
Segar hopes the report serves as a reminder to lawmakers embroiled in the state budget battle, that state funding for domestic violence prevention has not increased since 1992.