According to an article in today’s Deseret News which quotes a statistical report released by the Utah Domestic Violence Council, Domestic Vioence in Utah is up.
Domestic violence-related deaths rose to 33 in 2005, an increase over the 23 reported in 2004.
“What this means for us as a council, we need to get our message out more clearly and loudly to end domestic violence,” said UDVC executive director Judy Kasten Bell.
Guns were used in 25 of the domestic violence-related fatalities in 2005 while knives were used in five others.
Just as tragic, at least 31 children either witnessed deaths or were nearby when a person died as a result of domestic violence.
On average, domestic violence-related deaths account for a third of all homicides in the state, Bell said. In 2004, 20 of the 33 domestic violence-related deaths were classified as homicides, according to statistics from the domestic violence council.
I have stated here before that I feel more of our tax dollars should be spent on educational programs for services such as education about domestic violence. These statistics are alarming to me and further confirms my belief that more education is needed. Domestic violence leads to other types of violence and filters into our schools where children think that it’s o.k. to bully others. It’s a vicious cycle.
It’s people we need to invest in. Not corporate interests. This means increased services for people who really need them.
Deanna Dee-Dee Taylor 