Baton Rouge, LA – Louisiana’s rate of women murdered by men has increased for the sixth consecutive year, a trend that has domestic violence advocates sounding alarms. The Washington, D.C. based Violence Policy Center released its annual report on female murder victims, When Men Murder Women: An Analysis of Homicide Data, this week. The report reviews female victims killed by male offenders in single victim/single offender incidents and ranks all states from highest rates to lowest. The 2019 report, which analyzes homicides committed in 2017, ranks Louisiana 2nd in the nation. The report also reveals that Louisiana’s rate of women murdered by men is more than twice the national average, at 2.64 homicides per 100,000 females.

According to the Coalition, there are a number of factors that contribute to Louisiana’s high rate of female homicide victimization. “Our state’s funding for domestic violence victim services is woefully inadequate, and in many communities criminal justice practices still fail to hold abusers accountable before a homicide occurs,” Wineski said. “Make no mistake, domestic homicide is preventable. We know what works. Louisiana just has to make these changes a priority.”

“Advocates are working tirelessly to prevent domestic violence and help keep survivors safe, but victims in our state have to navigate an exceptionally difficult road to safety,” Wineski said, pointing to economic inequality, housing insecurity, easy firearm access, and a litany of other barriers faced by victims. “A reduction in our female homicide rate will require our state to do something it has yet to do: prioritize women.”

For the full press release click Violence Policy Center 2019 Press Release