Louisiana is second in the nation for the number of females murdered by males, according to The Violence Policy Center’s recently released 2018 survey “When Men Murder Women.”

Based on 2017 crime statistics, the annual study showed that in Louisiana 58 women were murdered by males.

This grim statistic for Louisiana placed the state in the No. 2 position nationally, up from its No. 3 ranking in the nation in 2016.

The Violence Policy Center is a national tax-exempt educational organization working for a safer America through research, investigation, analysis and advocacy.

According to the study, broken down by age, there were four female victims in the less than 18 age category; two in the 65 and over category; and the rest in between those ages with the average age of 34.

Broken down by race, the statistics show that of the 58 female victims, 34 were black, 23 were white and one was of unknown race.

In the weapons category, where it could be identified, 69 percent of the female victims — 35 out of 51 — were shot by guns, including 69 percent killed by hand guns, or 24 victims.

There were also four female victims killed by knives or other cutting instruments, two killed by blunt instruments and four murdered by bodily force.

Most of the victims, in cases relationship could be established, were murdered by someone they knew — 98 percent, or 49 out of 50. Only one female was killed by a stranger.

In addition, 76 percent, or 37, victims were wives, common-law wives, ex-wives, or girlfriends of the offenders.

With regard to cases in which circumstances could be established, in 74 percent of the cases, 37 out of 50, the crime was not related to any other felony. Sixty-two percent of the cases, or 23 homicides, involved arguments between victim and offender.

All Louisianians should be ashamed of such a ranking, and do something about it. The statistics speak for themselves.

This editorial was written by a member of the American Press Editorial Board. Its content reflects the collaborative opinion of the Board, whose members include Crystal Stevenson, John Guidroz, Jim Beam and Mike Jones.