Domestic Violence Law Series: Assisting Victims Who are Clients (Part Three)

Understanding Lethality Indicators and Risk of Domestic Violence Homicide

Virtually every day, we see stories in national media about cases in which domestic violence victims, and often the domestic violence offenders as well, die in murders or murder/suicides. Sometimes other family members, bystanders, or law enforcement officers are also killed in these cases. Just how frequent is domestic violence homicide? Can we predict which domestic violence cases may turn deadly? If so, how? What are factors that indicate increased risk of homicide?

What is New York State doing to address these questions, and to improve responses to domestic violence so fewer cases end up in homicides? This program will provide answers to these questions and more in a fascinating look at a little known, but all too common, problem – both in New York State and across the nation.

Firearms and Domestic Violence 

The presence of a firearm in a home where there is domestic violence increases the risk of homicide by 500%. This program will provide an overview of the connections between firearms and domestic violence, and how those connections are addressed by NYS. The speakers will discuss statutes regarding firearms and domestic violence, and discuss considerations in representing victims when the offender has access to firearms.

Speaker

Program Chair: Ellen C Schell, General Counsel, New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence