In The News

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DEATHS ON RISE, AVERAGING ONE A WEEK

By Catherine Williams
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE

STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, OCT. 30, 2007…With domestic violence resulting in an average of a death per week so far this year, lawmakers and victims advocates gathered at the Garden of Peace Tuesday and highlighted a resolution to raise awareness and put the spotlight on pending domestic violence-related bills.

Sen. Cynthia Creem (D-Newton) and Rep. Peter Koutoujian (D-Waltham), who are both sponsoring bills to combat domestic violence, stood with Jane Doe Inc. president Mary Lauby to announce the resolution that was passed by the House and Senate yesterday and report that domestic violence rates in Massachusetts are on the rise.

According to the resolution, during the first 10 months of the year 32 women, men and children were victims of domestic violence homicide, and domestic violence is tied to 12 suicides so far this year. And teen dating violence is at “epidemic levels,” according to the resolution.

Domestic violence projections for 2007 are grim. The state’s domestic violence homicide rate is expected to rise 200 percent over rates of recent years. Jane Doe estimates that the number of domestic violence murders will rise from 31 in 2006, to 43 in 2007.

Creem is sponsoring three domestic violence-related bills including legislation (S 1057) that would grant victims of domestic violence a 15-day leave of absence from work. Creem is also sponsoring a bill (S 755) designed to protect victims of domestic violence against eviction.

“We must as a Legislature put our resources forth to protect victims of domestic violence,” said Koutoujian.

The Garden of Peace is a memorial to homicide victims in Massachusetts. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

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