Mae Flexer

Flexer Statement on New CCDAV Domestic Violence Fatality Report

Senator Mae Flexer (D-Danielson) today released the following statement after the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV) released their new report, Upon Further Examination: 2017-2018 Report of the Connecticut Domestic Violence Fatality Review Task Force:

“Connecticut still grapples with 14 domestic violence homicides on average annually despite our progress and work. More needs to be done around mental illness and addiction, which are common themes in intimate partner violence. Bystander intervention in the workplace is also something that needs to be addressed. Investigators found that in nearly half of these cases, the victim’s workplace was affected by the violence because either they were stalked at work or a coworker knew about the abusive behaviors but was uninformed on where to get help for their colleague. Experts agree that domestic violence is predictable, therefore it’s preventable. I want to thank CCADV for continuing this critical work of reviewing and analyzing these tragedies. I believe this report, if we all look at it carefully and take action, will help us move closer toward ending domestic violence homicides in Connecticut.”

Report highlights:

• Between 2000 and 2017, 246 women and men in Connecticut were the victim of an intimate partner homicide.
• Connecticut’s average annual intimate partner homicide rate remains steady at just under 14 homicides each year (13.67).
• At 87 percent, women remain the vast majority of intimate partner homicide victims.
• Firearms remain the single most commonly used weapon in these homicides, used in 40 percent of intimate partner homicides between 2000 and 2017.
• Similar to past reviews, both victims and offenders struggled with mental illness and addiction, and co-workers of several victims were aware of the abuse.