Guns Make Domestic Violence Deadly
Some domestic violence (DV) situations greatly increase the risk to a victim. In the United States, 53% of female homicides are DV-related. Women murdered by an intimate partner are more likely to be killed with a firearm than by all other means combined.
“High Danger” DV situations risk factors include:
– Guns: When a perpetrator has access to a gun, it is 20 times more likely that their victim will die by homicide.
– Strangulation: When a perpetrator “chokes” a victim or blocks their airway, brain injury or death can occur within minutes or days. In addition, the victim’s risk of dying by homicide in the future goes up 750%.
– Threats: When a perpetrator threatens to kill their victim, it is 15 times more likely that person will be killed.
– Escalating DV: When incidents of DV increase in number and frequency, the risk of death also grows.
– Leaving: Attempting to leave an abusive relationship is the most dangerous time for victims.
If you are experiencing abuse or violence at home, you are not alone. Help is available. Please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
CALL SAFE
Domestic Violence Deaths are Preventable
Connecting with a DV advocate can sometimes be the difference between life and death. Proven prevention and intervention strategies include: having first responders trained in DV lethality risk assessments, participating in safety planning, crisis intervention, and connecting to services like physical and mental health care, emergency shelter, legal help, and other community resources.
Make a difference with the Stay Safe Listening Campaign
Learn MoreHow Contra Costa County Responds to Domestic Violence:
Between 2010 and 2023 , there were 122 domestic violence-related homicides or suicides in Contra Costa County. Of these, gunshot wounds were the most frequent cause of death (59%). For more information on domestic violence in Contra Costa, visit this page.
Intimate partner and family violence affect our whole community, and Contra Costa is creating a countywide response. Contra Costa County brings together staff from the District Attorney’s Office, Employment and Human Services Department, Legal Aid, Public Defender’s Office, Probation Department, health providers, and domestic violence, child abuse and human trafficking organizations. These collaborative efforts include a High-Risk Domestic Violence Review Team, a Domestic Violence Death Review Team, and a Strangulation Task Force. Teams meet on an ongoing basis to collaborate on high-risk cases and develop preventive strategies.
Need more help?
A protective order is not a complete solution, but it can be an important part of a safety plan. Stay Safe Contra Costa can help you connect with resources for you and your family in Contra Costa. To learn more about protective orders and other safety options, please explore the following links:
Bay Area Legal Aid provides legal advice to DV survivors and holds weekly Restraining Order clinics.
Advice line: 1-800-551-5544.
To make a clinic appointment call STAND! or Family Justice Center.
baylegal.org
Contact a Navigator at the Contra Costa Family Justice Center
Antioch: 925-281-0970
Concord: 925-521-6366
Danville: 925-486-0100
Fairfield 707-784-7635
Richmond: 510-974-7200
Free consultations with Lawyers for Family Justice are available.
ContraCostafamilyjustice.org
Connect with a Domestic Violence Advocate at STAND! for Families Free of Violence
24-Hour Crisis Line
888-215-5555
Standoff.org
Funded by the California Board of State and Community
Corrections Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (Byrne SCIP) through Contra
Costa Employment and Human Services Department Alliance to End Abuse.