February 12, 2015

NYC Domestic Violence Homicides Decline by 36% Over Decade

EDGE READ TIME: 3 MIN.

On February 2, New York City released a report revealing a 36 percent percent decline in family-related homicides and steps New York City agencies have taken to ensure high-risk communities and vulnerable populations receive increased services and resources. The Fatality Review Committee (FRC), established by Local Law 61 in 2005 is charged with issuing an annual assessment of family-related homicides and recommendations for improved coordination and services.

"New York City has made strides in combating domestic violence over the past decade, but as we are reminded each time a life is lost due to family-related violence there is much more work to be done," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "We cannot ignore the violence taking place behind closed doors. The impact is lasting and far reaching. Recommendations in the Fatality review Committee Annual Report establish the foundation of the City's response to family-related violence, as we strengthen our efforts to end the scourge of domestic violence in New York City."

In 2013, there were 62 family-related homicides, accounting for almost one out of every five homicides in New York City. This number declined by 36% compared to the same time period in 2002. One of the findings of the report shows a strong intersection between neighborhoods with low socioeconomic indicators, which represent 24% of the population, experienced family-related homicides more frequently.

"The Fatality Review Committee has been a valuable tool to highlight the importance of cross-agency collaboration in order to better identify individuals and families in need of domestic violence services," said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Lilliam Barrios-Paoli. "This administration remains committed to strengthening the safety net for victims and their children through interagency coordination."

The New York City Police Department is on the frontlines of responding to domestic violence and in 2013 responded to 284,660 domestic violence incidents. The FRC found that less than one-third of victims had reached out to the police department prior to their homicide.

"We are encouraged by the Report's finding that family-related homicides declined, but this cannot overshadow the significant impact domestic violence is having on families across the City," said Commissioner Rosemonde Pierre-Louis, Chair to the Fatality Review Committee. "New Yorkers who may be experiencing domestic violence should know that help is available through the Mayor's Office, law enforcement, City agencies, and community based partners. We encourage anyone experiencing intimate partner violence, elder abuse, or sex trafficking to seek assistance at one of our four New York City Family Justice Centers to receive access to free, confidential services."

Under the current administration, the City's agencies have enhanced a number of services offered to victims of family-related violence providing a multi-agency response, including the Mayor's Action Plan for Neighborhood Safety, focusing on reducing crime at 15 of the New York Housing developments.

Recommendations submitted by the FRC committee included:

  • Public Awareness - Continue to increase public education and outreach efforts across New York City, through strategic identification of neighborhoods experiencing high levels of domestic violence.

  • Intervention - Understanding the growing need to provide mental health services for victims who have experienced trauma, expand the availability of on-site clinical psychiatric and psychopharmacologic treatment services currently available at the Bronx Family Justice Center to other New York City Family Justice Centers.

  • Universal Training - Realizing many agencies have contact with domestic violence victims, universal training for all City employees that provide frontline direct services should be implemented.

  • Enhance Screening Tools - Review and evaluate domestic violence screening practices at City agencies. Implement appropriate screening tools at agencies that currently do not screen their clients for domestic violence. In addition, create a citywide process to identify high risk cases to facilitate a multi-agency coordinated response.

  • Anti-Stalking Program - Understanding that 70% of OCDV's clients on Staten Island reported stalking, which is a significant and often overlooked risk, the Coordinated Approach to Preventing Stalking (CAPS) program should be expanded to other boroughs, particularly in precincts with a high number of domestic incidents. This program was initially launched on Staten Island.

  • Prevention - Expand the capacity of the New York City Healthy Relationship Training Academy to further extend our reach into neighborhoods experiencing a high frequency of family-related violence.

    To view the full report, please click here.

    by EDGE

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