Study pinpoints 3 towns where domestic violence victims are at highest risk

By THE STAR STAFF

The island municipalities with the highest adjusted rates of severe or extreme risk among domestic violence victims aged 15 and older are Vieques, Florida and Culebra.

The information is contained in a study that the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics (PRIS) and the Department of Justice have unveiled from an analysis of the Danger Assessment tool, which is used by prosecutors during criminal investigations to gauge the risk of femicide faced by victims of domestic violence.

The study examined 2,149 cases between July and November 2024, providing critical insights that underscore the need to strengthen prevention and protection strategies across the island. Both the new report and a previous pilot study consistently highlight the urgency of prioritizing interventions in the most affected areas to prevent further deaths and reduce lethality risks among victims.

Among the key findings were that the three most frequent lethality risk factors identified were: extreme and violent jealousy (49.8%), having children not fathered by the aggressor (47.7%), and leaving the relationship within the past year after living together (39.0%).

The study found that victims had an average age of 36, with the 20–39 age group representing 62.1% of cases. However, victims ranged up to 83 years old. Nearly half of domestic violence complaints (47.5%, or 1,019 cases) resulted in criminal charges, though this rate varied significantly by judicial region.

One in four victims faced a severe to extreme risk of femicide. Women in this category were almost 11 times more likely to have been threatened or attacked with a weapon compared to those with lower risk levels. Among these high-risk cases: 83.5% reported violent, constant jealousy from a partner or ex-partner; 76.6% feared their partner or ex-partner could kill them; 72.8% said their partner or ex-partner controlled most of their daily activities.

“Reliable, up-to-date data is essential for developing effective public policies,” said Dr. Orville Disdier Flores, executive director of the PRIS. “This study provides a solid foundation to strengthen interagency coordination and focus efforts on preventing lethal violence in Puerto Rico.”

Justice Secretary Lourdes Gómez Torres added: “Through the daily work of our prosecutors, we are gathering valuable data that not only informs security strategies but must also be shared with victim service providers and the broader security network to improve prevention and care.”

Dr. Idania R. Rodríguez, deputy executive director of the PRIS and lead author of the study, emphasized: “Beyond statistics, this report seeks to make visible the real danger many women face.”

“Each finding is an opportunity to act urgently and design effective, equitable interventions,” she said. “Prioritizing high-risk municipalities and regions is essential to reduce lethal violence and strengthen women’s safety.”

The full report is available at https://estadisticas.pr/en/media/3902.