NEWS RELEASE CONTACT: Marie Brodie
Training and Media Relations Coordinator
(919) 956-9124
 mbrodie@nccadv.org
Download 2006 Domestic Violence Homicide Report -- PDF

March 14, 2007

NORTH CAROLINA DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOMICIDE REPORT 2006

DURHAM, N.C. – The North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence released the 2006 domestic violence homicide report today. Domestic violence homicides increased by 6 percent from 2005.

The report accounts for 79 domestic violence homicide victims in North Carolina in 2006. “It is discouraging to see these numbers grow,” said Marie Brodie, training and media relations coordinator at the Coalition. “This is why it’s so important that we create a community that holds abusers accountable and one that provides a safety net for victims of abuse.”

A small victory has been the decline in domestic violence in certain counties. Mecklenburg County, for instance, went from nine reported homicides in 2005, to six. Other counties that decreased their total number of reported homicides include Alamance, Lee and Randolph.

“While these are small victories, they are still important,” Brodie said. “Hopefully more steps will be taken in 2007. If we keep making incremental progress, in the long run a large change will take place and more lives will be saved.”

The North Carolina legislature is currently taking important steps to address domestic violence in North Carolina. Senate Bill 27/House Bill 44 introduced by Senator Julia Boseman and Representative Marian McLawhorn, co-chairs of the Joint Legislative Committee on Domestic Violence will strengthen the enforcement of protective orders by reducing the number of prior convictions needed to charge an offender with a felony for violation of an order. "Violation of a protective order is a red flag to the court system that the offender may commit a homicide," said Brodie.

Domestic violence programs are an integral part of North Carolina’s safety net for victims. They require funding to provide life-saving services. The Joint Legislative Committee on Domestic Violence has recommended a $2 million increase in funding for local programs and $1 million in funding to support local prevention initiatives. At least 35 children witnessed a domestic violence homicide last year. "We must break the cycle of violence from one generation to the next," said Brodie. With this funding, local programs can provide education and outreach services in our communities with the goal of stopping the violence before it starts.

Each year in North Carolina, thousands of victims reach out for help from the courts, law enforcement, crisis centers, families, and even their next door neighbor. “Each citizen can make a difference,” said Brodie. “By supporting your local domestic violence crisis center and letting abusers know that North Carolina will hold them accountable, we hope to see a reduction in the homicide rate next year.”