JWI Statement: Virginia Murder-Suicide Highlights Deadly Pattern
Jewish Women International is horrified by the horrific murder-suicide in Virginia that claimed the life of Cerina Fairfax as well as the shooter, former Virginia lieutenant governor Justin Fairfax. Our hearts are with Ms. Fairfax’s family, especially her teenage children who were home at the time.
Says JWI’s CEO, Meredith Jacobs, “We know what happens when domestic abusers have access to firearms—women die. When faced with the loss of power and control over their intimate partners, perpetrators, like Fairfax, chose to annihilate their victim rather than to let her live free.
JWI is dedicated to fighting gender-based violence, including addressing the intersection of domestic violence and gun violence. In honor of the memory of Ms. Fairfax and all the other women who are murdered every 12 hours by an intimate partner with a gun, we will continue to champion women and girls and to create a world free from violence.”
JWI is the leading Jewish organization championing women and girls by preventing domestic violence and sexual abuse, addressing the intersection of domestic violence and gun violence, building pathways to long-term economic security, and strengthening access to every level of leadership in our communities, workplaces, and country.