New report shows fatal domestic violence incidents and deaths rose in 2019
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A new report shows that domestic violence and deaths continued to rise in Colorado in 2019, with deaths climbing sharply.
The report from the Colorado Domestic Violence Fatality Board that was released Friday by the state’s Attorney General’s Office said that at least 70 Coloradans died in 2019 as a result of a domestic violence incidents.
The 70 reported deaths is the highest number reported in five years, and 27 more than reported in 2018. At least 19 children were involved in 12 of the fatal incidents, and at least one child was killed, the report said
“These numbers represent nineteen children — nineteen children who are affected by the loss of a loved one or both parents, nineteen children who may have witnessed death, and nineteen children who have experienced physical danger and trauma with direct consequences to their physical and mental health,” Attorney General Phil Weiser wrote in the report.
The 70 deaths were the highest number reported since the Colorado General Assembly established the review board in 2017.
The fatality board made several recommendations to the Health and Human Services and to the state senate and house judiciary committees.
Recommendations include:
- Developing policies and resources to support children exposed to these incidents,
- Implementing an assessment program to help identify victims of domestic violence
- And prohibiting domestic violence offenders from owning and possessing firearms.
Officials are encouraging anyone who is a victim of domestic violence to come forward and get help.
“We know that social isolation and being quarantined in the home is causing a very difficult situation for those experiencing domestic violence. We want folks in these situations to know that there is help available! While much of the country is closed, domestic violence programs and services are OPEN, available and online as much as possible,” Rebecca Zimmerman, the policy chair for Violence Free Colorado wrote in the report.
“You can access from your home, your patio, your walk, and you can text! You can leave or get help safely during this time,”
The National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24 hours a day to anyone needing it and can be reached at 1800-799-7233, or by texting LOVEIS to 22522.




