Annual report analyzes fatal cases of intimate partner violence in New Mexico – UNM Newsroom

Report on Intimate Partner Violence Fatalities in New Mexico: An Analysis Through the Lens of Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

A 2025 annual report by the New Mexico Intimate Partner Violence Death Review Team (IPVDRT), coordinated by the New Mexico Statistical Analysis Center (NMSAC) at The University of New Mexico, analyzed 26 incidents of intimate partner violence (IPV) from 2021 that resulted in fatalities. This analysis highlights significant challenges to achieving several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). The report’s findings and recommendations provide a critical framework for policy and practice improvements aimed at preventing future violence and aligning with global development targets.

Key Findings and Implications for SDG 5: Gender Equality

The data reveals a stark gender disparity in IPV fatalities, underscoring the urgency of efforts to meet SDG Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls. The violence disproportionately impacts women, serving as a major barrier to gender equality.

• Victim Demographics: 81% of the IPV victims were female.
• Perpetrator Demographics: 77% of the perpetrators were male.
• Relationship Context: The incidents occurred across various relationship statuses, with 54% of couples currently dating, 35% married or in long-term partnerships, and 11% having previously dated.
• Age Range: Victims ranged in age from 18 to 75, indicating that this form of violence affects women across their lifespan.

Systemic Challenges and the Imperative for SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The report’s findings point to systemic weaknesses in preventing violence and ensuring justice, directly impacting the progress of SDG Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates. Failures in firearm regulation and responses to prior violence indicate a need for stronger, more effective institutions.

• Prevalence of Firearms: 23 decedents in 21 incidents died from firearm-related injuries. Critically, twelve IPV perpetrators were prohibited by federal law from possessing a firearm, yet four used one in the incident.
• History of Violence: 77% of the intimate partner pairs had a prior history of violence within their relationship.
• Prior Contact with Services: 46% of the pairs had one or more prior domestic violence calls for service, suggesting missed opportunities for intervention.
• Impact on Children: Eight incidents (29%) occurred when children were present, a direct contravention of SDG Target 16.2, which aims to end all forms of violence against children.
• Location of Incidents: While most incidents occurred in private residences, 35% took place in public locations, challenging community safety and the goals of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Recommendations for Achieving SDG Targets

The IPVDRT report stresses that education and systemic improvements are essential for prevention. The following recommendations are crucial steps toward achieving SDG 3, SDG 5, and SDG 16 by fostering a society free from intimate partner violence.

1. Strengthen Institutional Capacity (SDG 16): Increase funding for risk assessment training for law enforcement and service providers. Improve judicial and law enforcement protocols to effectively address cases with a prior history of violence and enforce firearm prohibitions.
2. Enhance Access to Services (SDG 3 & SDG 5): Improve access to formal support services for victims, including medical, psychological, and advocacy resources. Ensure local domestic and sexual violence resource information is readily available in public offices, such as court clerk’s offices.
3. Promote Education and Awareness (SDG 5): Launch public awareness campaigns on the prevalence of IPV and educate community members on how to support individuals in abusive situations. This fosters a culture of prevention and support.
4. Improve Professional Expertise (SDG 16): Invest in continuous professional development for all stakeholders, including justice agencies, victim advocates, and medical representatives, to improve the collective response to IPV.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on intimate partner violence (IPV) in New Mexico directly addresses and connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) due to its focus on violence, gender inequality, public health, and justice systems.

• SDG 5: Gender Equality: The article’s central theme is intimate partner violence, a form of gender-based violence. The data explicitly highlights the disproportionate impact on women, with the report finding that “81% of IPV victims being female.” This directly aligns with the goal of achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The article discusses violence, fatalities, and the role of the justice system. It examines “26 cases of intimate partner violence in 2021 that resulted in death” and makes recommendations for “legislation/policy, courts, law enforcement.” This connects to the goal of promoting peaceful societies, reducing violence, and building effective, accountable institutions. The involvement of firearms, where “twelve IPV perpetrators who were prohibited by federal law from possessing a firearm” used one, also points to institutional challenges.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: Intimate partner violence is a significant public health issue. The article focuses on the most severe health outcome—death. The project’s origin in the “Health Sciences Center’s Department of Emergency Medicine” further solidifies this link. The presence of children during these violent incidents also implies severe impacts on their mental health and well-being.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues discussed, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres. The article is entirely focused on intimate partner violence, a primary form of violence against women. The report’s finding that “81% of IPV victims being female” and that incidents occurred in both “private residences” and “public locations” directly corresponds to the scope of this target.

2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. The core purpose of the Intimate Partner Violence Death Review Team is to analyze fatalities (“26 incidents of IPV that resulted in 28 deaths”) to “prevent future injury and death.” This aligns perfectly with the goal of reducing violence and death rates.
   • Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children. The article notes that “Eight incidents (29%) occurred when children were present.” Witnessing such extreme violence constitutes a form of child abuse and psychological harm, making this target relevant.

3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.4: Reduce by one-third premature mortality… and promote mental health and well-being. The IPV-related deaths discussed in the article represent a form of premature mortality that prevention strategies aim to reduce. The trauma experienced by victims, their families, and children who witness the violence directly relates to the promotion of mental health and well-being.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article contains several statistics and data points that serve as direct or implied indicators for measuring progress.

1. Indicators for SDG 5 (Gender Equality)

   • Prevalence of Intimate Partner Violence (Implied Indicator for Target 5.2): The article states, “Approximately one-third of adults in New Mexico have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) in their lifetime.” This statistic is a direct measure of the prevalence of IPV, which is central to Target 5.2.1 (Proportion of ever-partnered women subjected to IPV).
   • Sex-disaggregated data on victims (Indicator for Target 5.2): The finding that “81% of IPV victims being female” is a crucial indicator that tracks the gendered nature of this violence, allowing for targeted interventions and measurement of progress in protecting women.

2. Indicators for SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)

   • Number of IPV-related deaths (Indicator for Target 16.1): The report’s primary data point—”26 incidents of IPV that resulted in 28 deaths”—is a direct measure for Indicator 16.1.1 (Number of victims of intentional homicide per 100,000 population). The annual publication of this report allows for tracking this number over time.
   • Cause of death in violent incidents (Indicator for Target 16.1): The detail that “Twenty-three decedents in 21 incidents died from firearm-related injuries” serves as an indicator for tracking the means of violence, which is relevant to Indicator 16.1.2 (Conflict-related deaths by cause).
   • Proportion of children exposed to violence (Implied Indicator for Target 16.2): The statistic that “Eight incidents (29%) occurred when children were present” is a powerful indicator of children’s exposure to severe domestic violence, which relates to the goal of ending all forms of violence against children.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: news.unm.edu