Mostwomenmurderedby men are killed by current or former partner: report

MORE than two-thirds of women murdered by a man last year were killed by a partner or former partner, new findings reveal.

A total of 113 women were killed by men in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2016 — and 90% of these victims were murdered by someone they knew, according to the latest Femicide Census report.

Seventy-eight of the women were murdered by their current or former intimate partner.

More than three-quarters (77%) of those killed by their ex-partner or ex-spouse were murdered within a year of their separation. Three quarters (75%) of all femicides took place in the woman’s own home.

The figures, which constitute the most up-to-date information on femicide in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, serve as a stark reminder of the devastating effects of domestic violence, as well as fatal attacks on women by men they don’t know.

The annual Census, which collates the details of femicides committed by men to explore where lessons can be learnt by viewing cases together, also shows that one in six women were killed by either a stranger or someone they knew who wasn’t an intimate partner or family member. In more than a third of cases, perpetrators used a sharp instrument to kill the victim. The greatest number of femicides occurred within the London Metropolitan, South Wales and Greater Manchester police force areas.

The figures have prompted a renewed call for more to be done to address fatal violence against women by men, and for ministers to “urgently” put the prevention of femicide at the centre of its work to combat male violence against women and girls.

Katie Ghose, chief executive of Women’s Aid, said: “The government must urgently put the prevention of femicide at the centre of its work to combat male violence against women and girls.”