Utah’s homicide rate is one of the lowest in the nation. But for Utah women in relationships, there is still a heightened threat. Domestic-violence-related deaths account for approximately 30 percent of murders across the nation.
Like Memorez Rackley and her son Jase, who were shot in the middle of a Sandy street by a man Rackley had briefly dated. According to an unofficial Salt Lake Tribune database, 26 others also died because of domestic violence last year.
Utah’s narrow definition of domestic violence limits police prevention of such incidents. In order for police to respond aggressively to a domestic violence claim, a woman needs to have been married to, or living with, the man who is threatening her.