PRESS STATEMENT
For Immediate Release - December 5, 2006
Contact: Laurie Harrison 785.232.9784 (office), 785.633.9703 (cell), or lharrison@kcsdv.org
Deadly Weekend for Kansas Women
Statewide organization responds to two recent domestic violence murders in Kansas
Statement from Sandy Barnett, executive director of the
Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence
Topeka, Kan. - We extend our sympathies to the families and friends of the two victims killed in domestic violence-related incidents this past weekend in Wichita and Osage City. We are horrified by these acts of domestic violence. These deaths are a stark reminder that we have a long way to go to achieve safe homes in Kansas.
On Saturday in Wichita, Debrie Jefferson, 26, was shot and killed in her home. Police are searching for her boyfriend who is wanted for first-degree murder. Jefferson's four children were nearby in the home at the time of their mother's murder.
In addition, just outside Osage City on Sunday morning, Kristina Timmons, 29, was shot and killed by her husband, Robert Timmons, 45, who then killed himself. Authorities have ruled the case a murder-suicide. An aunt and the couple's four children were nearby in the home at the time of their mother's murder.
These domestic violence murders remind us that current or former husbands and boyfriends kill women all too often here in Kansas. These murders impact not only the women who die, but the children and other family members who witness their deaths. Ten women in Kansas have been killed so far this year by their current or former husband or boyfriend, according to media reports collected by KCSDV. In 2005, a total of nine women were killed by their current or former husband or boyfriend, according to the KBI. We know that other children have witnessed their mother's murder in some of these cases. Since 1999, an average of 82% of all domestic violence murder victims has been women killed by their current or former husband or boyfriend, according to the KBI. National statistics also demonstrate that women are much more likely than men to be injured or killed by their current or former husband or boyfriend.
Help is available. We urge all Kansans to remember that if they hear or see someone being hurt to call 911 immediately, and if they or someone they know needs support to call the Kansas Crisis Hotline at 1-888-END ABUSE (1-888-363-2287). The hotline covers both domestic violence and sexual assault. The hotline will then refer callers to a domestic violence or sexual assault advocacy program in their area. In addition, you can visit www.kcsdv.org/ksresources.html or call 785-232-9784 for a list of all domestic violence and sexual assault advocacy programs in Kansas.
KCSDV is a network of 30 sexual and domestic violence advocacy programs in Kansas. These programs provide direct services to victims of sexual and domestic violence. KCSDV's purpose is to prevent and eliminate sexual and domestic violence by providing technical assistance, training, legislative advocacy, and policy analysis on a variety of topics for member programs, professionals and ally organizations across Kansas.
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