Colorado saw a significant drop in domestic violence-related deaths in 2023, following two years of record-high fatalities during the pandemic. However, partner-on-partner abuse remains a critical issue, according to a report released Tuesday by the Colorado Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board.

The report revealed that 58 people lost their lives across 47 domestic violence cases in 2023, marking a sharp decline from the 94 fatalities in 2022 and 92 in 2021. While this decrease is promising, experts caution against assuming that domestic violence is any less of a problem. In fact, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation noted only a 0.3% decrease in reported domestic violence cases last year.

“This drop is encouraging, but it doesn’t mean domestic violence or related fatalities are no longer a significant issue in Colorado,” the report stated. The data indicates that 2023 numbers align more closely with pre-pandemic trends, where the state averaged fewer than 53 domestic violence deaths annually between 2016 and 2019. Studies have consistently shown that domestic violence rates spiked in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic intensified.

Understanding the Pandemic’s Role

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser highlighted the pandemic as a major factor behind the surge in fatalities during 2020 and 2021. “The pandemic explains much of the increase,” Weiser said in an interview. “Fewer contacts with victims, fewer warning signs, and greater vulnerability all contributed to the spike.”

Yet, Weiser emphasized that domestic violence is often an underreported crime, making it challenging to fully grasp the scope of the problem.

Survivor Advocates See a Mixed Picture

SafeHouse Denver, an organization that provides support for survivors, has observed some troubling trends. While the decline in fatalities is notable, the severity of domestic violence cases reported to the organization has escalated.

“I was surprised to see fatalities drop, especially when our calls are increasing and the situations we’re encountering are more severe,” said Natasha Adler, the organization’s director of survivor services. Strangulation, considered one of the most lethal forms of domestic violence, was reported in 35% of the organization’s cases last year. Additionally, case workers noted a rise in head injuries among survivors.

“It’s shocking that the fatality numbers were so low given the seriousness of what we’re seeing,” Adler added.

Collateral Victims and Other Risk Factors

The 2023 fatalities included seven collateral victims—individuals who were not the direct victims or perpetrators but died within the context of a domestic violence situation. Among these were three children.

For the first time, the review board examined the criminal histories of perpetrators, the role of domestic relations cases, and the prevalence of protection orders. The findings revealed that nearly 25% of couples involved in domestic violence fatalities had active or expired protection orders. However, the report also underscored that 75% of victims never sought protection orders, highlighting that abuse often occurs without court intervention.

Thirteen percent of the fatality cases involved domestic relations courts, with half of those cases being active at the time of the fatality. The report pointed out that custody disputes and interactions with domestic relations courts can heighten the risk of domestic violence fatalities—a reminder of the complexities survivors face when navigating these legal systems.

Recommendations for Change

The review board made several recommendations to help prevent future domestic violence fatalities, including:

1. Offering victims the option to be notified if a restrained individual attempts to purchase a firearm.
2. Providing stronger protections for victims who are coerced into creating debt by their abusers.
3. Developing specialized training for child and family investigators to better address domestic violence in their work.

The Role of Legal Advocacy

Navigating the legal and emotional challenges of domestic violence can be daunting for survivors. This is where a Denver domestic violence defense attorney plays a crucial role. Whether defending individuals wrongly accused or ensuring the legal rights of survivors and their families are upheld, these attorneys bring expertise to the complexities of domestic violence cases. Their work can help mitigate risks and ensure that both victims and those accused receive fair representation in an emotionally charged legal landscape.

Ongoing Efforts and Challenges

While the decline in fatalities offers a glimmer of hope, the fight against domestic violence is far from over. Advocates, legal professionals, and policymakers must continue working together to create safer environments, offer support for survivors, and address systemic issues that allow abuse to persist.

By understanding the broader context and the role of legal and community interventions, Colorado can move closer to reducing domestic violence and its devastating impacts.