I had never heard of Evelyn Carter until I delved into a recent CDC report revealing that domestic violence is the primary cause of homicide among women in the United States. As I read about her harrowing experience with an abusive partner, I was left in disbelief. For two decades, Evelyn endured threats and violence from a man who ultimately took her life. She took every measure to protect herself and her children: she reported him to the police, sought refuge in a shelter, and obtained restraining orders. Yet, on April 15, 2005, Evelyn was tragically murdered when her partner shot her at point-blank range, while her child hid in fear beneath a bed, and law enforcement stood powerless outside.
Evelyn’s children are now motherless because the man she once trusted succumbed to his rage and jealousy after years of torment. Tragically, her tale is but one among countless others in our nation. Each year, thousands of women lose their lives at the hands of their intimate partners.
American women face a far greater threat from those they live with than from strangers lurking in dark corners. A staggering 93% of female murder victims knew their assailant. While the statistics from the CDC may not come as a shock, the persistence of intimate partner violence as the leading cause of death among women should alarm us all.
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, one in three women (and one in four men) will experience physical abuse from an intimate partner at some point in their lives. Even more alarming, one in four women will face severe physical violence in their lifetime. This means that as you sit at a community meeting or wait in line for coffee, there is likely a woman nearby who has endured profound domestic violence. It’s a sobering thought.
This reality should ignite our outrage and compel us to act. But how can we ensure the safety of women and children in their own homes?
Implementing Sensible Gun Control Laws
A logical starting point is to implement sensible gun control laws. The CDC has reported that firearms are implicated in 54% of female homicides. Thus, advocating for expanded background checks and closing existing loopholes is a necessary step. Women are being killed, often by gunfire from their partners, and inaction on our part means complicity.
Funding for Women’s Shelters
Moreover, women’s shelters require adequate funding to accommodate not only women but their families as well—including teenage boys. Many shelters turn away women with adolescent sons over the age of 12, forcing them to choose between their safety and leaving their children with a known abuser. It’s a tragic dilemma that no mother should have to face. When women find the courage to leave their abusers, they should be able to bring their children with them, regardless of age or gender.
Cultivating a Supportive Culture
It’s also crucial to foster a culture of support and understanding rather than judgment and shame. Victims should never be silenced or made to feel guilty for their circumstances; doing so could cost them their lives. Simple acts of kindness and support can empower those in danger.
Utilizing the Danger Assessment Tool
Law enforcement, shelters, and support programs need access to tools like the Danger Assessment Tool designed by renowned domestic violence expert Dr. Jacquelyn Campbell. This tool enables social workers and police to effectively identify women who are at highest risk of homicide by their partners.
Community Education Programs
Programs like Green Dot help communities educate individuals about personal violence, emphasizing that we cannot expect others to engage in prevention if we are not willing to do so ourselves. Participants learn to recognize signs of violence and take proactive steps to manage their own behaviors.
In Evelyn Carter’s case, if a Danger Assessment had been conducted before her tragic death, she would have scored an alarming 19 out of 20, indicating she was in imminent danger. We owe it to all the Evelyns out there to do better.
If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, remember you are not alone. For further information and support, check out this article on our blog.
In conclusion, the statistics surrounding intimate partner violence are a call to action for all of us. We must work collectively to create safe environments for women and children everywhere.