Family and Intimate Partner Violence Homicide Surveillance

Home | Project Description | Reports/Publications | Resources

Quick Links

Family Violence and Sexual Assault Virginia Hotline
1-800-838-8238

Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance 2011 Family and Intimate Partner Homicide Report

Domestic violence is a pervasive public health issue, and collecting accurate information regarding this problem is essential for the overall health and well-being of a community. One approach for understanding domestic violence is through the data collected by the Family and Intimate Partner Homicide Surveillance Project. This project is conducted through the Virginia Department of Health, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and collects information on all domestic violence related homicide in the state of Virginia. The information gathered for this project provides policy makers, community groups, and the general public with the knowledge needed to understand the circumstances and magnitude of domestic violence in their communities. With this data, stakeholders also have the ability to track changes, identify trends over time, identify at-risk populations, and develop evidence-based interventions.

Since the beginning of the project in 1999, what have we learned?

• Over one-third of homicides occurring in Virginia were related to domestic violence.
• Both men and women were victims of domestic violence. Women were more likely to be killed at the hands of an intimate partner, while men were more likely to be killed as a bystander or in an altercation over an intimate partner.
• Over half of FIP homicides involved a firearm (55.5%), and just over 80% of homicides occurred within a residence. 
• Approximately 40% of all intimate partner homicides occurred after the end or during the ending of the relationship.
• Of all intimate partner related homicide events, over a fifth were homicide-suicide events.

We can assist with data requests and are available to make presentations in your community.

To Contact Us:

Virginia Department of Health
Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
Family and Intimate Partner Homicide Surveillance Project

737 North 5th Street
Suite 301
Richmond, VA 23219

Emma Duer
Phone: (804) 205-3858
Fax: (804) 786-1877
Email: Emma.Duer@vdh.virginia.gov