Article: Domestic violence deaths up in Santa Clara County

The Associated Press
Posted: 02/11/2010 08:22:17 PM PST
Updated: 02/11/2010 08:22:18 PM PST

SAN JOSE, Calif.—Santa Clara County officials say the number of domestic violence incidents in the county rose sharply last year.
In a report released Thursday by law enforcement agencies and community groups, officials say 11 people were either fatally shot, strangled, stabbed or hit with a car when a current or former partner turned violent in the county in 2009.
The number of deaths compared to only three domestic violence deaths in Santa Clara County in 2008. It also reversed a four-year downward trend.
The increase disappointed officials, but authorities note domestic violence tends to increase during difficult economic times.
The report was prepared for the county's Domestic Violence Death Review Committee, a consortium of agencies and community groups formed to try to reduce domestic violence.
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