Domestic violence on the rise, FBI analysis finds

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Domestic violence is up, according to an FBI data analysis that finds there have been more than 11,000 domestic violence murder victims from 2020 through 2024.

The effects are felt here in North Carolina, where in 2024, the number of homicide cases nearly doubled.

"We saw homicides go from around 53 per year to 90 a year," Nisha Williams at the North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCCADV) said.

Williams, who is the legal director at the NCCADV, said it's the "highest rate" they've seen of domestic violence homicides in the state.

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This comes as a family in the Bull City is mourning over the loss of ShaKeva Dixon, 27, who was the victim of a murder-suicide last week on Crest Street after her family said she ended her abusive relationship.

"It's not just about being safe in one's home, but also being safe to leave your abusive situation," Williams said.

According to the FBI report, an average of 31% of aggravated assaults were domestic in nature, and nearly half of them involved firearms during a five-year period.

For Williams, this highlights safety and the need for better federal and state support for local domestic violence service providers. Williams said people are most at risk of a homicide when they're trying to leave their unhealthy relationship or have recently left the relationship.

"Even if survivors can't necessarily access an attorney, they can go to their local DV agency and gain some legal information," Williams said. "They also help them get access to local shelter, or therapy ... there are different things that they're able to help provide and navigate that person while they're leaving, most importantly, helping them get a safety plan."

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