Louisiana Ranks 2nd for Rate of Women Killed by Men

Louisiana has the second highest rate of females killed by men in the United States according to a report from the Violence Policy Center. The Bayou State has seen its rate rise five consecutive years. VPC Legislative Director Kristen Rand says there’s a number of factors that go into the state’s high rate, but one in particular stands out.

“A key factor is gun availability. In Louisiana, 69% of the victims were killed with guns.”

Advocates hope new legislation requiring convicted abusers and those who are the subject of a protective order to give up their guns to local law enforcement can impact these numbers.

The national rate has gone up 11% in the last four years, with 93% of all murders of women by men being done by someone the victim knew beforehand. Rand says that number should dispel the myth women are most at risk of being killed by strangers.

“That’s a myth that is out there, that women should fear strangers, when in fact women are much more likely to be killed by someone they know, and not by strangers.”

82% of all murders of women were not linked to another criminal activity.

Rand says Louisiana’s best shot at addressing the issue is by raising awareness of the dangers of domestic murders, and by expanding programs aimed at getting women out of abusive households.

“We really need to look at the availability of programs and resources for women especially for those in homes where there is domestic abuse.”

Black women were more than twice as likely to be murdered by a man than white women were.

Categories: State News