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Abstract: 

After decades of progress following the passage of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), domestic violence homicides of women are rising again—reaching levels not seen since the mid-1990s. In this urgent and provocative analysis, Casey Gwinn and Gael Strack examine national crime trends, homicide data, and competing explanations for a decade-long surge in intimate partner killings. Are reduced offender accountability, bail reform, declining victim-service funding, firearm access, or changing philosophies within the domestic violence movement contributing factors? Challenging readers to confront uncomfortable questions, the authors call for renewed dialogue, collaboration, and evidence-driven action to prevent further loss of life.

Keywords: Domestic Violence Homicide; Violence Against Women Act; Intimate Partner Violence; Victim Accountability; Criminal Justice Reform; Family Justice Centers

Affiliations:  1: Alliance for HOPE Intl; 2: Alliance for HOPE.