'DV homicides alone are up 91%': OVP hosts its 4th annual Love Without Violence Conference

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Office of Violence Prevention hosted its fourth annual Love Without Violence Conference.

Organizers said given recent staggering numbers of domestic violence homicides, this year's event is more important than ever.

The three-day conference jump started Wednesday morning, on Oct. 19. Survivors, advocates and even perpetrators are invited to attend. The director of the Office of Violence Prevention Ashanti Hamilton said it’s a safe space.

"We believe every person has a right to experience individualized support in a safe and trusted space," said Hamilton.

According to MPD, domestic violence homicides have increased drastically compared to last year.

"DV homicides alone are up 91 percent compared to last year. That's 21 domestic violence homicides compared in 2021," said Assistant Chief Paul Formolo.

Many survivors and even family members who have lost loved ones to domestic violence shared their stories, just like Carrie Scott-Haney. She lost her daughter Audrey Scott in 2017 to domestic violence.

"Audrey was a humanitarian, she was caring, she was nurturing," said Scott-Haney.

She's taken matters into her own hands when she created the idea of the "Purple Alert".

The goal of both the conference and Scott-Haney is to save more lives.