Within the span of less than a week, there have been multiple highly visible domestic violence homicides in the United States.
Last week, former Virginia Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax killed himself and his wife, Dr. Cerina Fairfax. Their children were home at the time. Over the weekend, a father killed eight children and shot two women, including the mother of seven of the children, in Shreveport, Louisiana. The National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV) extends our deepest condolences to the loved ones of these victims, their communities, and all who are grieving this heartbreaking and unnecessary loss of life.
At NRCDV, we know that domestic violence is preventable. These tragedies are a stark illustration of the devastating impacts of domestic violence on children and their families, and a reminder of how much work remains to create a world in which all children can grow up in safe relationships, homes, and communities.
Pamela Jacobs, CEO of the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, shared:
“These tragedies are devastating—and they don't have to happen. Too many people are facing violence every day without the support they need to stay safe.
We know what works to prevent these tragedies: access to safe and affordable housing, people who will listen and believe survivors, and communities that step in early. Preventing domestic violence is possible, and it requires all of us to take it seriously and act before it’s too late.”
