Ohio advocacy group finds 20% increase in domestic violence deaths
Franklin County families dealt more domestic violence deaths over the course of a year than any other county in the state of Ohio, a review of data from the Ohio Domestic Violence Network (ODVN) found. (WSYX)
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Franklin County families dealt more domestic violence deaths over the course of a year than any other county in the state of Ohio, a review of data from the Ohio Domestic Violence Network (ODVN) found.
The organization released its 2021 Domestic Violence Fatalities Report Tuesday. It reviewed 90 cases between July 2020 – June 2021 from media reports of intimate-partner relationship deaths identified by staff and member organizations.
The findings included:
- 131 deaths across Ohio (20% increase from last year and 62% increase from two years ago)
- 15 young victims were killed (most since the organization started reporting fatality data six years ago)
- 86% of deaths were killed by guns
- 6 cases involved a defendant who already faced charges related to domestic violence
ODVN Policy Director Micaela Deming said the pandemic was part of the reason numbers rose.
“We won’t have research back for awhile, but we know historically after every environmental disaster, after every economic downturn or hardship, domestic violence against women rises. Also, we’ve had all of those things. We’ve had people out of work. We’ve had people at home losing their jobs. Addiction has been up. All of those things are lethality factors for domestic violence,” Deming said.
Franklin County lost the most lives in Ohio, including 22 adults and two children.
Deming said the numbers show a need for quicker intervention.
“I think we really need to our role in that. Look at our statutes and our laws around that so that we can improve our response,” Deming said.
If you or someone you know needs help, then call ODNV at 1-800-934-9840 or visit their website. The 24-hour national domestic hotline can be reached at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
