Title: When Men Murder Women: An Analysis of 2008 Homicide Data

Publication Date: September 2010

What does it say?

This analysis of homicide data from 2008 provides a state ranking of the homicide rate of women murdered by men in single victim/single offender incidents.  Nationwide, 1,817 females were murdered by males in single victim/single offender incidents in 2008.  Where weapon could be determined, 52 percent of the homicides were committed with firearms. The most dangerous three states for women were Nevada, Vermont, and Alabama. 

In cases where victim-offender relationship could be identified, 92 percent of female victims were murdered by someone they knew.  Twelve times as many females were murdered by a male they knew than were killed by male strangers. In 86 percent of all incidents where the circumstances could be determined, the homicides were not related to the commission of any other felony such as rape or robbery.

How can I use it?

Murder of women in the United States is largely a problem of domestic violence.  Federal law prohibits domestic violence misdemeanants from possessing firearms.  Enforcement of this law needs to strengthened by extending Brady criminal background checks to all gun sales and by making sure all relevant records are available to the NICS system.

Citation

Violence Policy Center, When Men Murder Women: An Analysis of 2008 Homicide Data, Washington, DC: Violence Policy Center, September 2010