While some strides have been made in the fight against domestic violence, a recent report show New Mexico continues to be one of the worst states when it comes to the crime, reports the Associated Press. The Interpersonal Violence Data Central Repository’s annual report ranks New Mexico in the top five states in cases reported with 25,644. That number has decreased, but more victims are seeking services. The annual report also shows children witnessing domestic violence increased 10 percent. Child witnesses who were injured also is up 14 percent.
Sandra Gardner, the state’s first domestic violence czar, said this has the attention of the governor, who has proposed a number of measures to make domestic violence laws tougher, including creating a confidential address for victims and adding cyberstalking to the state’s anti-stalking law. The new report showed that since 2001 the number of adult victims receiving shelter and short-term services has increased 9 percent and the number of children receiving the same services increased 37 percent. Although fewer abuse incidents were reported, the report says service providers saw a 6 percent increase in the number of women injured from abuse.