When Men Murder Women: An Analysis of 1998 Homicide Data

Females Murdered by Males in Single Victim/Single Offender Incidents

South Carolina

62 females were murdered by males in South Carolina in 1998

The homicide rate among females murdered by males in South Carolina was 3.12 per 100,000 in 1998

Ranked 1^st in the United States

Age

Five female homicide victims (8 percent) were less than 18 years old, and 4 victims (6 percent) were 65 years of age or older. The average age was 36 years old.

Race

Out of 62 female murder victims, 27 were black and 35 were white.

Most Common Weapons

For homicides in which the weapon used could be identified, 63 percent of female victims (38 out of 60) were shot and killed with guns. Of these, 79 percent (30 victims) were killed with handguns. There were 5 females killed with knives or other cutting instruments, 4 females killed by a blunt object, and 11 females killed by bodily force.

Victim/Offender Relationship

For homicides in which the victim to offender relationship could be identified, 97 percent of female victims (59 out of 61) were murdered by someone they knew. Two female victims were killed by strangers. Of the victims who knew their offenders, 69 percent (41 victims) were wives, common-law wives, ex-wives, or girlfriends of the offenders. Among the 41 female intimates murdered, 85 percent (35 victims) were killed with guns; 77 percent of these (27 victims) were shot and killed with handguns.

Circumstance

For homicides in which the circumstance could be identified, 80 percent (47 out of 59) were not related to the commission of any other felony. Of these, 91 percent (43 homicides) involved arguments between the victim and offender.

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The Violence Policy Center is a national non-profit educational foundation that conducts research on violence in America and works to develop violence-reduction policies and proposals. The Center examines the role of firearms in America, conducts research on firearms violence, and explores new ways to decrease firearm-related death and injury.

All contents � 2000 Violence Policy Center