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While local domestic violence programs helped more than 67,000 victims in just one day, unmet requests increased

February 27, 2012

In just one day, advocates scrambled to find needed shelter, housing, and resources, though sadly could not meet 10,581 requests for assistance.

Washington, D.C. – An annual survey conducted by the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) provides insight into domestic violence services in the United States. On September 15, 2011 – one 24-hour period – domestic violence victim advocates served more than 67,000 victims and answered more than 22,000 emergency hotline calls.

This annual snapshot shows that shelters and programs continue to find a way to help almost the same number of victims in one day as in past years – a staggering 67,399 adults and children. However across United States there were 1,040 more unmet requests reported in the same day than in September 2011.

Many shelters have been forced to reduce staff and the number of services offered while working tirelessly to meet the needs of victims. This increased number of unmet requests for services illustrates this unfortunate reality.

“Domestic violence programs work valiantly to provide needed services in the aftermath of the economic downturn,” said Sue Else, President of NNEDV. “Despite this, domestic violence programs are finding ways to keep their doors open and provide life-saving services to thousands of domestic violence victims every day.”

NNEDV is releasing the report on February 27th in conjunction with the launch of the 2nd World Conference of Women’s Shelters (February 27 – March 1), hosted by NNEDV and the Global Network of Women’s Shelters. Almost 1,500 advocates and activists from 96 countries will join together in Washington, DC to share their most effective solutions, helping to leverage resources and uncover vital, new ways to address violence against women in communities globally.

Each year, NNEDV conducts a 24-hour survey of local domestic violence programs. In addition to the number of victims served, more than 26,000 individuals attended nearly 1,400 training sessions provided by local domestic violence programs in just one day. In 2011, 1,725 local domestic violence programs, or 89 percent, submitted their 24-hour counts for September 15. The full National Domestic Violence Counts 2011 report is available online at https://nnedv.org/census.

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NNEDV, a 501(c)(3) organization, is a leading voice for domestic violence victims and their allies. Its members include the 56 state and territorial coalitions against domestic violence. It works closely with them to understand the needs of domestic violence victims and advocacy programs. NNEDV has been a premiere national organization advancing the movement against domestic violence for more than 15 years, after leading efforts among domestic violence advocates and survivors in urging Congress to pass the landmark Violence Against Women Act of 1994. To learn more about NNEDV, please visit www.nnedv.org.