Domestic Violence and Recession -- 35 Dead in Philadelphia in '09

Despite an overall reduction in Philadelphia's violent crime rate, the number of homicides from domestic violence hit 35 in 2009, a 67 percent increase over 2008. The New York Times reports that as the recession has deepened, domestic violence rates have risen in Philadelphia and across the nation. Says the Times: "The increase in domestic violence in Philadelphia is mirrored nationally, and experts say it is linked, in part, to the recession. In fact, data indicate that domestic violence had been falling in the 15 years before the recession took hold last year."

The recession is not making people more violent. What it can do, however, is cut off the means of escaping or make it more difficult to leave abusive relationships, particularly if the victim of the abuse or his or her children are financially dependent on the abuser -- which is why it's especially troubling that the Times also notes that funds for domestic violence prevention and support programs have already been drastically cut nationwide by strained local governments.

It's possible that 2010 may be a better year than 2009 -- the Senate recently approved plans to fund the Violence Against Women Act for $444 million in fiscal year 2010, a record high for the program, which could make up for some of the local funding shortfalls. But the act, first passed in 1994, also expires and comes up for reauthorization in the coming year.