NC Hispanic Nonprofit Urges Recognition of Femicide
TL/DR –
A gathering was held at El Centro Hispano in Raleigh, North Carolina, on International Women’s Day to raise awareness of the increasing rates of femicide in the state. The attendees called on Governor Roy Cooper and Attorney General Josh Stein to make femicide a separate crime from homicide, which would make the killing of women a specific criminal offense with more severe sentences. The event was attended by over 100 people, including domestic violence survivors, crisis workers, and government representatives, and featured the sharing of an online petition calling for femicide to be classified as a crime.
Rally for Femicide Awareness on International Women’s Day
El Centro Hispano, a North Carolina-based nonprofit organization, hosted an event on International Women’s Day to draw attention to the escalating crisis of femicide in the state. Mauricio Concha Pérez shared his personal tragedy at the gathering, speaking about his sister Liliana, a victim of femicide.
Liliana Concha Pérez, a 55-year-old Colombian-American real estate agent, was found dead alongside her ex-boyfriend, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The incident highlighted the danger of domestic violence and the urgent need for systemic change.
The event drew a crowd of over 100 people, calling on Governor Roy Cooper and Attorney General Josh Stein to support making femicide a distinct crime from homicide. This would help to impose more severe sentences for the killing of women in North Carolina.
Upgrading the Legal Response to Femicide
Mauricio Concha Pérez recounted the emotional abuse his sister endured, emphasizing the importance of recognizing warning signs of abusive relationships. On stage, the portraits of deceased women of diverse races and ethnicities were displayed, each a tragic story of femicide.
Among the victims were Hadeel Hikmat, Cristina Matos, Nabaruna Karakumar, and Guadalupe Carreño. All were allegedly killed by men close to them in recent years.
An online petition urging state leaders to classify femicide as a crime was shared during the event, which featured notable attendees such as Democratic state Reps. Sarah Crawford and Maria Cervania, and Chapel Hill Police Chief Celisa Lehew.
Understanding Femicide
According to the World Health Organization, femicide involves the intentional murder of women because they are women, often perpetrated by men who are close to them. El Centro Hispano has tracked 51 homicide cases involving women in North Carolina linked to a male spouse, ex-partner, or known associate.
Joanna Kelley, an attorney, emphasized how recognizing femicide as a specific crime means understanding societal change and adapting to new requirements. She also mentioned that assault on a female is a distinct charge in the North Carolina General Statutes and suggested that North Carolina could lead the U.S. in making femicide a crime.
Support for Domestic Violence Victims
The Durham Crisis Response Center offers a 24-hour helpline and various resources on its website at thedcrc.org. InterAct’s crisis line in Wake County is available 24 hours a day and resources can be found at interactofwake.org. The Compass Center for Women and Families offers a 24-hour domestic violence crisis line at 919-929-7122 and resources can be found at compassctr.org. The Orange County Rape Crisis Center’s helpline is open 24 hours at 919-967-7273 with more resources at ocrcc.org.
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