The latest report on domestic violence in Minnesota revealed that 40 people lost their lives in domestic violence situations in 2023, the highest number since Violence Free Minnesota began compiling the statistics in an annual report in 1989. The previous high was 37 domestic-related homicides in 2013, and Minnesota has averaged 26 deaths related to intimate partner violence between 2013-2022.
“Even one death is too many and it is all preventable,” said Guadalupe Lopez, Violence Free Minnesota’s executive director.
The domestic violence report shoes that of the 40 victims, 29 were killed by a current or former intimate partner and 11 were intervenors or bystanders to domestic violence. Fortunately, it looks like we’re trending in the right direction in 2024. Although even one death related to domestic violence is too many, the group noted there have only been 12 domestic violence-related deaths in Minnesota so far this year.
Minnesota Domestic Violence Statistics
Violence Free Minnesota identified five key risk factors for domestic violence-related homicides. Those five factors are: the victim’s attempts to leave the abuser, previous threats to kill the victim, abuser’s access to firearms, abuser’s history of violence and choking or strangling the victim. Additional findings from the report show that of the 29 victims who died from intimate partner violence:
- 55 percent were separated or attempting to leave.
- Roughly 1 in 4 had been threatened with death.
- 55 percent were killed with a firearm.
- Nearly 45 percent were killed by someone with a documented history of violence against them or against a previous partner.
- At least 31 percent were killed by strangulation, or by someone who previously choked them or choked another partner.
Other findings from the comprehensive report include:
- 11 bystander deaths marks the highest amount in a year since 1999, which also had 11.
- Minorities “were significantly over-represented” in the number of victims.
- Six victims were at least 50 years old.
- Five cases were murder-suicides, and three were murder-attempted suicides.
The report was released on October 1, coinciding with the beginning of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Violence Free Minnesota is one of about 90 programs throughout the state that are working to bring attention to the problem of domestic violence and help find ways to curb abuse and get victims the support they need.
If you or someone you know is in need of domestic violence-related services or assistance, know that help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the Day One hotline by calling 866-223-1111 or texting 612-399-9995. And if you need help with a criminal matter or other legal issue, consider connecting with Avery and the team at Appelman Law Firm today at (952) 224-2277.
