Domestic homicides have been called the most predictable and preventable of all homicides. According to the DVDRC, most of the domestic homicides reviewed had at least seven well known risk factors.   Appendix I outlines a complete list of the common risk factors in all the domestic homicide cases that have been reviewed.

The committee found that the most common reasons why domestic violence ended in death were:

• the victim was separated from the person who killed her, or she was getting ready to separate from him
• the couple had a history of domestic violence
• the level of violence had been increasing
• the abuser had shown signs of obsessive behavior, including stalking the victim
• the person who killed their spouse was depressed
• in the past, the abuser had threatened to kill the victim

If you recognize one or more of these warning signs, be aware that the victim may be at risk of being murdered. Never assume that a victim is safe because she is planning to leave a violent relationship or has just left a violent relationship. Although leaving will increase her safety over the long term, the most dangerous time for her is just before she separates, while she is leaving and shortly after she separates. Safety planning is critical during this period.

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