Number of domestic violence homicides drops in 2011 - WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and Sports

MADISON (WKOW) -- New statistics released Thursday show the number of domestic violence homicides in 2011 has decreased from the two previous years.

According to the Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WCADV), 40 people were killed in 34 incidents. In 2009 and 2010, the state saw 67 and 58 deaths respectively.

Executive director of WCADV Patti Seger said, "While we mourn the loss of every life, we are encouraged that the record levels of domestic violence deaths from the previous two years have receded."

In the 11 year history of tracking domestic homicide deaths, 2009 had the highest number.

Seger said victims in 2011 included not only intimate partners, but also children, parents of perpetrators and in one case, a law enforcement officer who was responding to domestic violence.