National Trends in Intimate Partner Homicide

Abstract

The authors investigated U.S. trends in intimate partner homicide stratified by relationship type and race during the period 1976 to 1995. Data sources were the Supplemental Homicide Reports and the United States Current Population Survey. Rates of homicide victimization decreased during the past 20 years among all intimate partners except for White, unmarried females. The authors explore possible explanations for these trends. Results replicate previous findings regarding downward national trends in partner homicides, but with three methodological differneces. The authors examined spouses and exspouses separately, used de- nominator data that were specific to the population at risk, and included same-sex partners.