Data presented from the Report on Violent Deaths in Puerto Rico

598 homicides and 190 suicides were reported in Puerto Rico in 2022

The Puerto Rico Violent Death Notification System (PRVDRS, in English) established at the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics, presented data from the Puerto Rico Violent Deaths Report for the year 2022. The report reports that in 2022, there were 727 incidents of violent deaths, with a total of 809 fatalities. Of the total number of violent deaths, 598 were homicides and 190 were suicides, representing 97.4% of violent deaths.

In 2022, 73.9% of victims of violent deaths were reported in single or multiple homicide incidents and 23.5% were suicide incidents. Seven homicide-suicide incidents were reported, resulting in 14 fatalities. In addition, 6 violent deaths attributed to legal intervention (0.7%), four violent deaths from unintentional self-inflicted firearms (0.5%) and 11 violent deaths with undetermined intent (1.4%) were documented during this period. In 2022, approximately 9 out of 10 victims of violent deaths (89.6%) were men. The crude rate of violent deaths for Puerto Rico in 2022 was 25.1 per 100,000 inhabitants, 47.6 in men and 4.9 in women.

Of the 809 violent deaths recorded in 2022, 598 were homicides (73.9%). The majority of homicides occurred between the ages of 15 and 39. In these age groups, 73.2% of all homicides occurred among men and 66.0% among women. The primary mechanism of the homicides was firearms. In Puerto Rico, 93.6% of homicides were committed with firearms. Globally, firearm homicides account for 69.5%.

In 2022, nearly half of the homicides occurred in an environment of collective violence. 255 of the 598 homicides (42.6%) registered in 2022 occurred in a context related to criminal groups involved in the trafficking of illegal drugs.

In 2022, 28 fatal victims of family violence were reported. Family violence (violence between family members) includes child or adult abuse and violence against an intimate partner. Most of these cases were related to violence in an intimate or former partner environment (13 cases, 67.9%). There were 9 fatal incidents among family members (32.1%). The vast majority of victims of intimate partner violence were women (n= 13, 68.4%). More than half of these women were victims of their former spouse or former male partner (61.5%), while 30.8% were victims of their current spouse or partner. In addition, a firearm was used in 10 of the 13 femicides/femicides (76.9%).

As for suicides in Puerto Rico, the report highlights that the frequency is lower than that of homicides. However, as in homicides, suicides are more frequent in men (85.5%). In 2022, the crude suicide rate was 5.9 per 100,000 inhabitants, 10.6 in men (1 of 145 men) and 1.6 in women (1 of 788 women). The main mechanism was asphyxiation (62.3% in men and 53.6% in women).

The collection of this type of data involves fieldwork that usually takes more than two years, from the time the incident occurs until the collection, review and publication of the data is completed. Mariluz Bezares Salinas, Manager of Statistical Projects at the Institute of Statistics and co-principal investigator of the Report on Violent Deaths in Puerto Rico, said: “This report not only reflects the magnitude of violent deaths in Puerto Rico, but it also provides a detailed overview of the circumstances and factors associated with the occurrence of violent deaths. This information is crucial for guiding public policy decisions and designing interventions that save lives and promote safer communities.”

“This violent death reporting system is a reliable, complete and unique reference source that helps describe vital information about the circumstances surrounding violent deaths in Puerto Rico. This data is essential for government agencies and community organizations to implement evidence-based prevention programs,” said Dr. Diego Zavala, epidemiologist and co-principal investigator of the PRVDRS.

For the Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics, Dr. Orville M. Disdier, the Puerto Rico Violent Death Notification System has been and is fundamental to understanding the magnitude and characteristics of this public health problem. “Data from 2022 allow us to identify crucial patterns and trends to develop more effective and efficient prevention strategies. Our commitment at the Institute of Statistics is to continue strengthening this statistical and epidemiological system to continue to have statistics, complete, reliable and quickly and universally accessible, on this topic,” argued Dr. Disdier.

The PRVDRS is an epidemiological surveillance system affiliated with the Institute of Statistics and designed to obtain a complete and standardized census of violent deaths in Puerto Rico. The PRVDRS began its participation in the National Violent Death Notification System (National Violent Death Reporting System, NVDRS) in September 2016 through a collaborative agreement granted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

The Puerto Rico Statistics Institute is an autonomous governmental entity tasked with coordinating the government's statistical production service to ensure that the data collection and statistics systems, on which public policies are based, are complete, reliable, and accessible quickly and universally.

The 2022 Report on Violent Deaths in Puerto Rico is available at: Puerto Rico Violent Death Notification System. To learn about the Institute of Statistics, you can access it on social networks through Facebook (@estadisticas .pr), X (formerly Twitter) (@EstadisticasPR) and LinkedIn (Institute of Statistics of Puerto Rico) accounts.

‍

Extreme jealousy is the most common risk factor for lethality in cases of domestic violence in Puerto Rico

Based on the findings of the Department of Justice Evaluation study and analyzed by the Institute for Statistics

December 17, 2025; San Juan, Puerto Rico - The Puerto Rico Statistics Institute and the Puerto Rico Department of Justice presented the findings of the Danger Assessment analysis, a tool implemented by prosecutors in the criminal investigation process, to identify the levels of danger of femicide faced by victims of domestic violence in Puerto Rico

The study, which analyzed 2,149 cases between July and November 2024, provided relevant information that highlights the importance of continuing to strengthen prevention and protection strategies against domestic violence in Puerto Rico. Both this report and the previous pilot study agree that, in a consistent manner, the need to prioritize intervention in the most affected sectors, with the purpose of preventing new deaths and reducing the risk of fatality among victims. Among the data, the following stand out:

● Throughout Puerto Rico, the three most common risk factors for fatality identified were: Extreme jealousy manifested in a violent and constant way (49.8%), Having sons or daughters who are not the aggressor's (47.7%) and Having abandoned the relationship the previous year after living with him(39.0%).

● The injured parties have an average age of 36 years, with the group from 20 to 39 years old being the most represented (62.1% of cases). However, women up to the age of 83 were registered.

● 47.5% of domestic violence complaints (1,019 cases) resulted in charges being filed at the Puerto Rico level, a percentage that responds to multiple factors and that varies significantly between different judicial regions.

● One in four victims faced a level of danger from severe to extreme of being a victim of femicide.

o Women with severe or extreme dangerousness are almost 11 times more likely to have been used against them or threatened with a weapon, compared to those who are of varying or increasing danger.

o When evaluating the group of women with severe or extreme danger, it was found that the partner or former partner was jealous of them and showed it violently and constantly (83.5%). 76.6% fear that their partner or former partner is capable of killing them and that 72.8% of women felt that their partner or former partner controls most of their daily activities.

o The municipalities with the highest adjusted rates of victims, aged 15 or older and in severe or extreme danger, were Vieques, Florida and Culebra.

“Having reliable and up-to-date data is essential for the development of effective public policies. This study provides a solid basis for strengthening interagency coordination and focusing efforts on the prevention of lethal violence in Puerto Rico.” said Dr. Orville M. Disdier Flores, executive director of the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics.

“Through the daily work carried out by our prosecutors, the Department of Justice is collecting valuable data, which are not only essential for the development of security strategies within our functions, but must also be shared with the entities that provide services to victims and the entire security component, in order to strengthen prevention and improve the care they receive. This initiative reflects our commitment to remain proactive in protecting and supporting all victims of domestic violence,” added Justice Secretary Lourdes L. Gómez Torres.

For her part, Dr. Idania R. Rodríguez, Deputy Executive Director of the Institute of Statistics and lead author of the study, noted that “Beyond statistics, this report seeks to make visible the real danger faced by many women in Puerto Rico. Each finding represents an opportunity to act with greater urgency and design effective and equitable interventions. Prioritizing the municipalities and regions most at risk is essential to reduce lethal violence and strengthen the safety and protection of women on the island.”

To access the full report you can visit: https://estadisticas.pr/en/media/3902

For more information you can visit the website www.estadisticas.pr or the social media accounts of Facebook (@estadisticas .pr), Twitter (@EstadisticasPR) and LinkedIn (Institute of Statistics of Puerto Rico).

About the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics

The Puerto Rico Statistics Institute is an autonomous governmental entity responsible for coordinating the Government's statistical production service to ensure that the data collection and statistics systems, on which public policies are based, are complete, reliable and have quick and universal access.

About the Puerto Rico Department of Justice

The Department of Justice has the mission of ensuring faithful compliance with the Constitution and laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and aspiring to the highest principles of equality and human dignity. It also represents the people of Puerto Rico in civil and criminal cases, and gives certainty to the legal trafficking of real estate on the island. It performs these functions with effectiveness, integrity, a sense of justice and the strongest commitment to public service. The Department of Justice is committed to doing justice to victims of violence and the current public policy is one of zero tolerance and repudiation of all acts of violence against women.

Statistics Institute Press Contacts:

Lourdesburgs/787-562-2932/ lburgos@upfrontpr.net

IDIA Martinez/787-603-3200/imartinez@upfrontpr.net

Department of Justice Press Contacts:

Astridmatos/787-590-7385/ astrid.matos@justicia.pr.gov

Kike O'Neill/787-394-9469/ kikeoneill.prensa@gmail.com

‍

‍

JUSTICE STUDY AND THE INSTITUTE OF STATISTICS REVEALS:

ONE OF FOUR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PLAINTIFFS FACES A RISK OF DEATH

Based on the findings of the pilot study of the Risk Assessment used by Department of Justice prosecutors analyzed by the Institute for Statistics

San Juan, Puerto Rico. Wednesday, December 11, 2024 -- The Puerto Rico Statistics Institute and the Puerto Rico Department of Justice presented the preliminary findings of the analysis of the Risk Assessment, a tool recently implemented by prosecutors in the criminal investigation process, to identify the levels of dangerousness of femicide faced by victims of domestic violence in Puerto Rico. The pilot study, which covered 2,021 cases during the first half of 2024, revealed worrying data that highlight the urgency of continuing to strengthen prevention and protection strategies against domestic violence in Puerto Rico.

Among the data, the following stand out:

• The injured parties have an average age of 36.3 years, with the group from 20 to 39 years old being the most represented (62.1% of cases).
• One in four victims faced a level of danger from severe to extreme.
  • Women with severe or extreme danger are almost 13 times more likely to have been attacked or threatened with a weapon, compared to those who are of varying or increasing danger.
  • When evaluating the group of women with severe or extreme dangerousness, it was due to the fact that the partner or former partner was jealous of them and shows it violently and constantly (82.6%). 79.1% fear that their partner or ex-partner is capable of killing them.
  • The municipalities with the highest adjusted rates of victims, aged 15 and over with severe or extreme danger, were Barranquitas, Salinas and Patillas.

The Puerto Rico Statistics Institute and the Puerto Rico Department of Justice reaffirmed their commitment to continue working together so that the Government of Puerto Rico uses these findings as a basis for the design and implementation of effective public policies that prioritize the safety of victims of domestic violence.

“These data not only represent a picture of reality, but they are the result of a rigorous statistical analysis process led by the Institute of Statistics, in which the risk assessment sheets were validated, integrated into a centralized database and the necessary analyses were carried out to identify the most critical risk factors. This work is a key tool to guide government agencies' efforts toward more effective and targeted interventions,” said Dr. Orville M. Disdier Flores, executive director of the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics. For his part, the Secretary of Justice, Domingo Emanuelli Hernández, pointed out that “these data are not just numbers, they are an urgent call for joint action to reinforce prevention, protection and justice strategies for victims of domestic violence. This preliminary report provides us with a path of action to identify areas that need to be reinforced in the fight to eradicate domestic violence. The analysis of data from the Department of Justice's Risk Assessment will allow the development of public policies and measures in addition to those that have already been implemented to meet the needs of the complainants and prevent femicide. My commitment, as part of the justice system, is to work tirelessly to turn these statistics into tangible solutions that prioritize the safety, dignity and rights of victims. It is extremely important that it be continued, as it is an effective initiative to continue building a future where no woman fears for her life in her own home.”

On the other hand, Dr. Idania R. Rodríguez Ayuso, Deputy Executive Director of the Institute of Statistics, noted that “The analysis of these data allowed us to identify patterns and critical risk factors that highlight the seriousness of domestic violence in Puerto Rico. This process, which included the validation and detailed analysis of risk assessment sheets, is essential for generating reliable information that serves as a basis for designing more effective prevention and protection strategies. These findings call on us to act urgently to prioritize high-risk cases and ensure the safety of victims.”

“The Risk Assessment analysis allows prosecutors to make determinations with greater certainty and can be inserted into prevention efforts. In turn, it helps them to guide victims and channel the aid and services they require, including security measures,” said the chief prosecutor, Jessika Correa González.

“The results of the Department of Justice's pilot Risk Assessment study confirm an alarming reality that we cannot ignore: one in four female complainants faces a level of danger that puts their lives at risk. As a society, we cannot allow fear and violence to continue to mark the lives of so many women. However, this effort cannot fall solely on government institutions. The active collaboration of communities is essential to identify risks, provide support to victims and promote a culture of respect,” said prosecutor Laura Hernández Gutiérrez, director of the Coordination Division of the Specialized Units for Domestic Violence, Sexual Offences and Child Abuse of the Department of Justice.

The Puerto Rico Statistics Institute and the Puerto Rico Department of Justice reiterated their call to continue government and community collaboration, as well as to continue strengthening the collection and analysis of regional data to eventually eradicate domestic violence in Puerto Rico. For his part, the Secretary of the Department of Justice reported that the results obtained will allow law and order agencies to strengthen the response in municipalities with high rates of danger, thus allowing for more focused and effective interventions. In addition, he explained that it will be essential to continue the specialized training that the Department of Justice implemented to train professionals who work directly with victims of domestic violence, ensuring that they have the necessary tools to identify and manage risky situations appropriately. Finally, the leaders of both agencies said that these findings will make it possible to design better prevention and education campaigns aimed at raising awareness of the risk factors associated with the risk of intimate femicide.

For more information you can visit the website www.estadisticas.pr.gov or the social media accounts of Facebook (@estadisticas .pr), Twitter (@EstadisticasPR) and LinkedIn (Institute of Statistics of Puerto Rico).

To access the study: Risk Assessment Sheet Findings Report.

About the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics

The Puerto Rico Statistics Institute is an autonomous governmental entity responsible for coordinating the Government's statistical production service to ensure that the data collection and statistics systems, on which public policies are based, are complete, reliable, and have quick and universal access.

About the Puerto Rico Department of Justice

The Department of Justice has the mission of ensuring faithful compliance with the Constitution and laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and aspiring to the highest principles of equality and human dignity. It also represents the people of Puerto Rico in civil and criminal cases, and provides certainty to the legal trafficking of real estate on the island. It performs these functions with effectiveness, integrity, a sense of justice and the strongest commitment to public service.

‍