Heterogeneity reported in Hispanic and Latino intimate partner violence homicides

Heterogeneity reported in Hispanic and Latino intimate partner violence homicides | Image Credit: © AungMyo - © AungMyo - stock.adobe.com.

There is heterogeneity in Hispanic and Latino intimate partner violence (IPV)-related homicides, according to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Homicide was reported as the second leading cause of death in Hispanic and Latino individuals aged 15 to 24 years in the United States in 2022, alongside being the third leading cause of death in those aged 25 to 34 years and fourth in those aged 1 to 14 years. Intimate partner homicide (IPH) is defined as a lethal form of IPV, linked to a significant proportion of homicides.

National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) data indicated approximately 290,000 lost years of life from 2006 to 2015 linked to IPH. Subgroup analyses have indicated women account for 3 in 4 fire-arm related IPH victims, and that Hispanic and Latino IPH victims are often younger than their White counterparts.

NVDRS obtains data from death certificates, law enforcement reports, and coroner or medical examiner reports. This information is combined and related deaths are linked into a single incident. Standardized guidance from the CDC is used to code up to 600 variables, with detailed narratives written for each incident.

Homicide was defined as “a death resulting from the use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against another person, group, or community when a preponderance of evidence indicates that the use of force was intentional.” International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision cause-of-death codes were used to classify homicides.

IPV-related deaths were defined as homicides performed by intimate partners. Relevant variables included victims, suspected perpetrators, incidents, weapons that caused fatal injuries, and circumstances leading to death.

There were 24,581 homicides among Hispanic and Latino individuals recorded in NVDRS between 2003 and 2021, 72.2% of which had known circumstances. Of the homicides with known circumstances, 13.8% were IPV-related. Female victims were reported for 59.5% of IPHs in this population, despite making up the minority of all homicide victims.

Approximately 8 in 10 Hispanic and Latino IPH victims were White, with 5.4% being Black. One in 3 female IPH victims and 1 in 4 male IPH victims were born outside the United States. A high school or General Education Development certificate was reported in 34.3%. Some college education was reported in 26.1% of female victims and 14.8% of male victims.

Approximately 78.7% of female Hispanic and Latino IPH victims were of childbearing age. A known pregnancy status was reported in 31.4%, with 19.8% of these women being pregnant or up to 1 year postpartum at the time of death. Similar results were reported for all female Hispanic and Latino homicide victims.

The use of a firearm was identified for 59% of Hispanic and Latino IPHs. Hanging or strangulation was used for 9.8% among female victims and 1.9% among male victims. The victim’s home was the site of the homicide for 64.8% and 34.1%, respectively. In comparison, these rates were 51.7% and 19.4%, respectively, for all Hispanic and Latino homicides.

Known suspects were reported for 94.9% of Hispanic or Latino IPV-related homicides.Of suspects, 82.2% were male, and half were Hispanic or Latino individuals. Among female victims, 85% of suspects were former or intimate partners, vs 26.2% of male victims.

When evaluating circumstances, jealousy was reported for 50.1% of male victims and 12.9% of female victims. Being a victim of personal violence in the month before death was reported in 1.6% and 8.3%, respectively.

An argument or conflict occurred leading up to the IPH in 44.7% of Hispanic or Latino cases. A physical fight was reported in 24.1% of male IPHs and 10.6% of female IPHs. A crisis within 2 weeks of the homicide was reported in 13.4% and 9.6%, respectively.

These results highlighted heterogeneity of characteristics and circumstances for IPV-related homicides of Hispanic and Latino individuals. Investigators recommended comprehensive efforts to prevent IPH among Hispanic and Latino individuals.

References

1. Treves-Kagan S, Ruvalcaba Y, Corry DT, et al. Intimate partner violence–related homicides of Hispanic and Latino persons — National Violent Death Reporting System, United States, 2003–2021. MMWR Surveill Summ. 2024;73(No. SS-9):1–17. doi:10.15585/mmwr.ss7309a1
2. CDC. Web-based injury statistics query and reporting system (WISQARS). Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed December 11, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/index.html