Murders in New York City have declined significantly over the last 25 years but domestic violence homicides have remained high.[1] In 2015, almost one in every five homicides in the city involved a family member or romantic partner, according to NYPD statistics.[2] And now, domestic violence accounts for 40 percent of all assaults in the city, which is a slight increase from last year.[3] City officials estimate that half of domestic assaults are never reported to the police.[4] Mayor Bill de Blasio, of NYC, announced in November that he was assembling a task force, headed by the first lady, Chirlane McCray, and James P. O’Neill, the commissioner of the New York Police Department, to come up with a “comprehensive citywide strategy” in the next four months.[5] The purpose of the panel will be to find ways for social workers to intervene in troubled families before violence escalates and to make sure that more abusers are held accountable in court for their acts.[6]
[1] James C. McKinley Jr. & Ashley Southall, Domestic Abuse Killings Climb as Murders Drop, Frustrating New York Officials, NYTIMES.COM (Nov. 29, 2016) http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/29/nyregion/domestic-abuse-killings-new-york-city.html.
[2] Melissa Jeltsen, NYC Launches A Bold New Plan To Tackling Violence, HUFFINGTON POST (Nov. 18, 2016 10:00 AM) http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/new-york-city-domestic-violence-murder_us_582ddd23e4b030997bbdda7a.
[3] Id.
[4] See note 1.
[5] Id.
[6] Id.