Gender, Violence, and Policy Lab weighs in on increase in domestic violence in Wisconsin
UW-Madison Assistant Professor Mariel Barnes confirms researchers are seeing an increase in domestic violence homicides, not only across Wisconsin, but across the country.
UW-Madison Assistant Professor Mariel Barnes confirms researchers are seeing an increase in domestic violence homicides, not only across Wisconsin, but across the country. "In Wisconsin, in 2022 there were 96 domestic violence related homicides that happened compared to the previous year where there were 80," Barnes said. She said domestic violence increased dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic due to victims constantly being in close proximity with their abuser.
Barnes added, there are warning signs people can look for to help keep their loved ones safe.
"A couple of things you can look out for, if someone's belittling their partner, if someone's trying to isolate them from people, if you can't do anything right, if they try to control you," Barnes said.
Additionally, there are a couple of immediate warning signs and risk factors that lead to domestic violence homicides.
"If there's a firearm in the house, we know that dramatically increases the likelihood that a violent situation will escalate to a deadly on, and the other factor is if you've been strangled before," Barnes said.
“Almost always, there is a primary abuser,” Barnes said. “[The abusers] are the ones who are escalating the situation and causing the situation, and you as the victim have the right to defend yourself.”
