The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) has learned of the death of Jessie McCaskill and Dallas Augustine August 27, in an apparent intimate partner violence murder-suicide in Phoenix. Police believe that Augustine, 32, killed her partner Jessie McCaskill, 50, before killing herself. In 2006, Dallas Augustine’s mother, Kathy Augustine, a prominent Nevada lawmaker, was murdered by her husband, Chaz Higgs. Higgs was convicted of her murder in 2007.
The most recent report on intimate partner violence in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and HIV-affected communities (LGBTQH) issued by NCAVP shows a 38% increase in reports of intimate partner violence in 2010. The 2010 report also shows an increase in the severity of violence experienced by LGBTQ and HIV-affected survivors of intimate partner violence. In 2010, more than half of survivors (55.4%) experienced physical violence at the hands of their abusive partners, a substantial increase from 2009 (36.5%).
NCAVP is working with Wingspan, our member organization in Arizona, to offer our assistance with their efforts to support the community during this critical time. NCAVP wants you to be aware of violence that has occurred and that NCAVP is a resource for anyone who experiences violence. We encourage anyone who has experienced violence to contact a local anti-violence program for support and to document this violence. For help locating an anti-violence program in your area, please contact us at info@ncavp.org or visit www.ncavp.org.
Join NCAVP in our efforts to prevent and respond to LGBTQH violence. To learn more about our national advocacy and receive technical assistance or support, contact us at info@ncavp.org.