Title
City of Phoenix 2025 Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team Report - Citywide
Description
The Human Services Department and Police Department co-chair an effort to produce an annual Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team (DVFRT) report based on a review of a fatal or near fatal domestic violence incidents. Domestic Violence Fatality Review Teams are authorized by A.R.S. 41-198 which provides guidance on team membership and protections for confidential information. Members are appointed to the Team by the City Manager.
The purpose of the DVFRT is to develop "findings and recommendations as to how fatal or near fatal incidents of domestic violence may be prevented and how the system can be improved." These case studies result in the identification of gaps in services and recommendations for system improvement.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION.
Report
Summary
The Phoenix DVFRT was created in 2006 and is co-chaired by an executive team from the Phoenix Human Services and Police Departments. The mission of this team, which is comprised of representatives from the criminal justice system, advocacy community, municipal government, and other community resources, is to examine domestic violence fatality and near-fatality incidents to improve our understanding of the dynamics of such incidents. The team uses this expanded knowledge to develop recommendations for system improvements that serve victims and survivors of domestic violence.
The 2025 DVFRT selected a homicide case that deviates from the types of cases previously examined. In this case, the woman's estranged husband used geo-tracking and stalking methods to locate her and then murdered her new partner. The sub-committee reviewed all collected information and created a timeline that includes police involvement, details of domestic violence victim and perpetrator's relationship, and history of violence in this relations leading to the new partner's homicide.
The recommendations provided in the report are broad approaches to educating, preventing, and addressing domestic violence. The team developed four recommendations to fill system gaps and improve services to crime victims.
1. Research the need for Domestic Violence Education and Prevention Programs
2. Explore the need for expansion of Domestic Violence Education and Awareness
3. Research Options to Expand Sentencing Statutes to include a Domestic Violence Enhancement
4. Present and Share Annual DVFRT Reports with Local Government Agencies
Also included in the 2025 DVFRT report are status updates on the 2023/2024 DVFRT report recommendations.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Gina Montes and the Human Services Department.