According to the newly released annual Domestic Violence Homicide Report, 96 people in Wisconsin lost their lives to domestic violence (DV) in 2022 – 16 more deaths than the previous year. This is the highest total since End Abuse began releasing the data in 2000 and a 20% increase from last year’s total of 80 people. End Abuse Executive Director Monique Minkens announced the release of the report alongside Public Policy Director Jenna Gormal and Systems Change Coordinator Tegan Swanson.

In 2022, domestic violence homicides took place in 25 WI counties, with a rate of 1 death every 3.8 days and an average age of victims being 37 years old. Of those who died, 68 were homicide victims – up from 65 in 2021 –  and 22 were perpetrators of homicide who died by suicide – up from 11 in 2021. Over half (56%) of victims were the perpetrator’s current or former intimate partner – up from 52% in 2021.

In addition to data on 2022 homicides, the report offers historical, national, and global context and spotlights murder-suicide & the violence of the gender binary, the disproportionate impact on Black, Indigenous, and POC communities, and the impact of funding cuts as homicides rise.

“October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month,” said Minkens. “Throughout this month we’re focusing awareness efforts on major issues impacting survivors, including gendered and racialized violence, and firearms and lethality. As we see more lives lost to DV homicide, we face a 70% drop in federal funding that supports direct service programs, who offer lifesaving measures to those facing violence. Victims deserve better. They deserve to live, free from violence. They deserve to live.”

End Abuse has produced the annual report since 2000, with the intention of honoring victims’ lives, drawing attention to the pervasiveness of domestic violence, and catalyzing improvements.

“Year after year,” said Gormal, “data shows the same patterns: firearms are the most common homicide method, and most people are killed at the hands of a current or former intimate partner. Experts know the facts of this public health crisis. The question remains: Will our state invest in prevention measures –housing, economic and racial equity, commonsense firearms regulation, bodily autonomy – or will we accept the deaths of our family and community members at the hands of domestic violence?”

To review the Annual WI Domestic Violence Homicide Report, visit www.endabusewi.org/resources

For Media

CONTACT: Elise Buchbinder | Director of Communications, End Domestic Abuse WI | eliseb@endabusewi.org

End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin: The Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence (End Abuse, www.endabusewi.org) is the leading voice for victims of domestic abuse in Wisconsin. At End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin, we educate shelter and program volunteers and advocates, law enforcement, legislators, and community members to provide safety and support to survivors. We strive to shift Wisconsin from the attitudes and beliefs that cause domestic violence to values of mutual respect and equity, and we partner with communities in the effort to prevent and end domestic abuse. We encourage reporters to include the National Domestic Violence Hotline number [1−800−799−SAFE(7233)] in their stories for victims who need help. A list of local Wisconsin domestic violence victim service providers can be found at www.endabusewi.org/get-help