Quantcast

Domestic Violence Accounts for Almost Half of NYC Women's Murders

2008_09_dmviol.jpgThe Health Department issued a report about "Intimate Partner Violence" in NYC, and, between 2003 and 2005, 44% of all women murdered were killed by intimate partners. The Health Department also noted that domestic violence also accounted for nearly 4,000 visits to the ER.

Those most at risk appear to be women in their 20s, black women, and women in low-income areas. Additionally, ERs most commonly see women who have been punched or kicked, but most fatalities are from stabbings or shootings. Most of the violence occurs in the home, and the Health Department reports, "Some 15% of the women killed had active orders of protection against partners, but most medical records lack information on whether victims have sought help from the police or the courts; contact with police was mentioned in only 23% of hospitalized cases." You can read the entire report here (PDF).

Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Frieden said, Every act of intimate partner violence is a crime and a tragedy. No woman should be threatened or abused, let alone in her home or by her partner. If someone is abusing you – or you’re worried about a friend or family member – please call 311 or 800-621-HOPE (621-4673). Anyone in immediate danger should call 911.” The Health Department, NYPD, and Mayor's Office to Combat Domestic Violence are working on ways to identify and prevent domestic violence, like creating screening kits for health care providers, arranging security surveys of victims' homes, and teaching young people about healthy relationships.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

Comments [rss]

  • wumanjoo

    There sure are some asinine comments on here. I hope none of you are in any way suggesting that women deserve this. It's important to keep in mind that not all men start off acting like assholes, and women who find themselves in this situation need a supportive community of people to help get them out. It's not as easy as it seems. Safe Horizon is a great resource, for anyone who might find themselves in this situation. Help spread the word!

  • Kojak

    "men exploit women"



    It goes both ways sister!



    New York women are possibly the most stuck up arrogant bunch of females the world has ever seen. They're impossible to date because they're impossible to please, hence the reason why they truly do drive men insane.

  • cucarachita

    How are the figures with regard to men killed by women? Just curious.



    And yes, no point dating in NYC. It's slim pickins here, and the pickins there are, are pretty blah and smug.



    I think I got that last good one.

  • Spirit of 76

    Note to women: Don't live or date in NYC. The city's full of crazies.

  • takethecanoli

    Apologies in advance....



    What's the first thing a woman does when she gets home from the battered women's shelter?

    .

    .

    .

    .

    The dishes, if she knows what's good for her.

  • Amanda Harletsch

    Yeah...compassion is women's fault!

    they deserve the violence!



    fkheads!

  • Amanda Harletsch

    Patriarcal society:



    men exploit women



    men exploit women+kid





  • Future Taliban

    I wish GW Bush were a woman dating a psychotic, overly aggresive puerto rican love pimp.

  • Gothamist_Cynic

    women need to stop dating and marrying assholes.

  • Kojak

    More irrefutable evidence that women will indeed drive their men crazy.



    On a serious note: damn this sucks.

  • plk779

    Is this really any surprise?

  • mocanlagunas

    And we're shocked about how the Taliban treat their women...



    Yeah, I know it's not the same, but still I hope this helps us open our eyes...

  • Jen Chung

    Thanks, Wordsniper--good point and I've changed it.

  • Wordsniper

    Jen, that headline is WAYYY misleading. Almost half of all murders, ok. But deaths? Those retirement homes must be hothouses of boozy wife-beatings.

blog comments powered by Disqus

send a tip

tips@gothamist.com