Attorney General Charity Clark has announced the release of the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Commission’s annual report. The report reviews homicides in 2023 and provides recommendations to the Legislature. According to the findings, seven out of Vermont's 29 homicides last year were related to domestic violence.
Clark stated, “Reviewing the circumstances around the seven Vermonters who lost their lives to domestic violence is sobering and very sad.” She emphasized that the Commission's work offers an opportunity for improvements aimed at addressing domestic violence and potentially saving lives. Clark expressed gratitude towards both the Commission and legislative members for their support.
The report highlights key recommendations such as improving access control to firearms, funding victim service positions within local law enforcement agencies, and expanding statewide lethality assessments. Since its inception by statute in 2002, the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Commission has been tasked with collecting data on domestic violence-related fatalities to understand how they occur and propose prevention strategies. The Commission comprises 17 members from diverse sectors including law enforcement, healthcare providers, state agencies, advocates, and judiciary representatives.
Among its proposals are giving courts explicit authority to mandate abusers’ participation in accountability programs and forming a working group to enhance compliance with firearm surrender orders.
During her first term, Attorney General Clark prioritized addressing domestic violence by supporting nearly all of the Commission’s recommendations. She collaborated with legislators on several initiatives: implementing restorative justice models for survivors; enacting gun safety laws; redefining "abuse" to include coercive controlling behavior; promoting safe firearm storage alongside community partners like local law enforcement agencies.
For those experiencing domestic violence, resources such as the National Domestic Violence Hotline (800-799-SAFE) are available. In Vermont specifically, assistance can be sought through the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence via their hotline at 800-228-7395 or online at vtnetwork.org/get-help/.
The full report was made public yesterday.