Racial/Ethnic Differences in Homicides of Adult Women and the Role of Intimate Partner Violence: United States,...

Objectives. To describe rates and characteristics of homicides of women across racial/ethnic groups, and describe intimate partner violence (IPV)-related and non-IPV-related homicide circumstances across racial/ethnic groups. Methods. We used National Vital Statistics System data to calculate homicide rates by racial/ethnic group of US women (aged ≥ 18 years) who were homicide victims from 2018 to 2022. We used National Violent Death Reporting System data to characterize the circumstances and suspects in these homicides by racial/ethnic group and IPV involvement. Results. The age-adjusted homicide rate was 3.2 per 100 000 women. Rates for non-Hispanic Black women and non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native women were more than twice as high as those for other races/ethnicities. Most women were killed by a firearm (67.9%), fatally injured in a residence (64.8%), or killed by a male (92.5%). About half (47.3%) of homicides were IPV related. Non-IPV-related homicides were often perpetrated by family members (39.0%). Circumstances differed by racial/ethnic group. Conclusions. Homicide disproportionally affects certain racial/ethnic groups of women, and the characteristics of homicides differ across groups. Thorough examination of these differences could aid in effective, targeted homicide prevention.