NCAVP mourns the intimate partner violence homicide of Dalia Elhefny Sabae in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania

December 5, 2016 - The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) has learned of the intimate partner violence homicide of Dalia Elhefny Sabae, age 28, in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania which occurred on November 10, 2016.  According to media reports, Sabae, a bisexual woman, was allegedly killed by her husband, Michael Cwiklinski, age 47, against whom she had sought Orders of Protection in the past. During the homicide, a responding police officer was also killed, and Cwiklinski committed suicide. Sabae was 6 months pregnant at the time she was killed.

"We are deeply saddened by the tragic homicide of Dalia Elhefny Sabae, and send our condolences to her friends and loved ones," said Emily Waters, Senior Manager of National Research and Policy at the New York City Anti-Violence Project. "There has been very little attention to the ways Dalia's intersecting identities as a bisexual, Muslim woman may have been a factor in her homicide, and we need to be having those conversations. We must protect, uplift, and center those within LGBTQ communities who have been traditionally isolated and erased for their identities and experiences."

NCAVP's report Intimate Partner Violence in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and HIV Affected Communities in 2015, released in October 2016, documented thirteen IPV homicides in 2015. In 2015, people of color made up 10 (77%) of the 13 reports of LGBTQ and HIV-affected IPV homicides. Six of the homicide victims were transgender women, four were cisgender men, and three were cisgender women.  

This is the eleventh intimate partner violence homicide that NCAVP has responded to in 2016. Along with Dalia Elhefny Sabae, we have lost Ava Tucker (Henrico County, VA), Bernardo Almonte (Bronx, NY), Frank Rogers (Los Angeles, CA), John W. Williams (Salt Lake City, UT), Louis Piper (Miami, FL),  Quartney Davia Dawsonn-Yochum (Los Angeles, CA), Christopher Hardy (Cleveland, OH), Toni Cox (Brooklyn, NY), Joshua Adam Sisson (San Diego, CA), Alphonzo Guinyard (Chicago, IL), and May Kieu (Glendale, AZ).


NCAVP is a resource for anyone who experiences violence.  For more information, or to locate an anti-violence program in your area, please contact us at info@ncavp.org or visit us online.  Join NCAVP in our efforts to prevent and respond to LGBTQ and HIV-affected violence.  To learn more about our national advocacy and receive technical assistance or support, contact us at info@ncavp.org.

If you are a member of the media, please contact:

Sue Yacka, New York City Anti-Violence Project: syacka@avp.org or 212-714-1184

NCAVP works to prevent, respond to, and end all forms of violence against and within lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) and HIV-affected communities.  NCAVP is a national coalition of local member programs and affiliate organizations who create systemic and social change.  NCAVP is a program of the New York City Anti-Violence Project.

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