SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Domestic Violence Council recently released its 2005 tally of domestic violence deaths, and the total number came to 33. At least 31 children witnessed or were nearby when the deaths occurred.
The statistics include homicides and suicides. The total number of domestic-violence-related deaths increased by more than 43 percent last year. Twenty-three occurred in 2004.
According to the report, 14 of the deaths in 2005 involved cohabitants, meaning the victim and the perpetrator were related biologically or by marriage, lived together or had children together. Victims were as young as four months and as old as 88 years.
The report can be viewed online at www.udvc.org. For further information on shelters, treatment and other resources in Utah, contact the state’s domestic violence hotline at (800) 897-LINK (5465).
