Nearly all murders in Houston County this year happened inside homes between family members or partners, according to the Houston County Sheriff’s Office.
The Numbers: The Houston County Sheriff’s Office reports that 14 out of 16 homicides in the county have been domestic-related. That means 87% of murders happened between people who knew each other in a family or dating relationship.
What It Means For You: If you know someone being hurt by a family member or partner, calling a tip line could save their life.
How to Report: Macon Regional Crime Stoppers has partnered with local law enforcement to take tips about family violence. The tip line is 1-877-68CRIME (1-877-682-7463). You can call if you hear, see, or suspect someone is being hurt at home.
The Big Picture: October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Law enforcement agencies across the country use this time to raise awareness about violence that happens behind closed doors.
🗂️ Domestic Violence Stats: A study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that between 2003 and 2014, about 55% of all female homicides in the U.S. were related to intimate partner violence.
The Sources: Houston County Sheriff’s Office.
B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.
