Two recent high-profile murders of women by their partners in the United States again shine a light on the tragic number of women who are not safe in their own homes, and who face increased risk when they try to get away from a dangerous or abusive male partner.
This violence impacts the whole family and can last for generations.
Pope Leo recently expressed deep concern for violence and femicide, condemning the dangerous reality that includes a “desire for domination” as well as the “climate of justification that mitigates or denies responsibility.”
Violence against women is widespread worldwide. An estimated 840 million women – almost one in three – have been subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both at least once in their life. In 2024, around 50,000 women and girls worldwide were killed by their intimate partners or other family members
This is especially true in the United States given the easy access to guns. There is at least one murder-suicide every day in the United States involving domestic violence, virtually all committed by a man with a gun. Simply having access to a gun makes it five times more likely an abusive partner will kill his female victim.
The prevalence of this pattern of deadly patriarchy also is reflected in the horrifying recent news reports about an online site where millions of men discuss drugging and raping their wives.
Support for women and children has been at the center of the mission of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas since our founding, and our sisters continue to minister to victims of domestic violence in many countries.
More must be done to support women, with education, gun control, red flag laws and mental health resources. Inaction is not an option.