Domestic Violence Counts: Frequently Asked Questions for Journalists

Please click here to read the latest Domestic Violence Counts Report.

Who should I contact if I have any questions about this report?

Please contact the Domestic Violence Counts team at DVCounts@NNEDV.org.

Can we get data for a specific city or county?

No. For confidentiality and safety reasons, NNEDV only provides state- and territory-level summaries. However, some of our member coalitions may collect and publish similar data at the city or county level; please visit State & U.S. Territorial Coalitions for a complete list of coalitions and their websites.

How can we interpret the data?

Please take a look at Understanding the Data to learn how to interpret the data properly. If you have more questions about the data or the report, please contact the Domestic Violence Counts team at DVCounts@NNEDV.org.

Year-by-year comparisons point to either more or fewer victims being served. Does this mean that the number of domestic violence victims in the United States has increased or decreased?

Increased demand for services does not necessarily mean that prevalence or incidence is increasing, and vice versa. For example, increased demand for services may be due in part to effective outreach and education reaching more victims. On the other hand, decreased demand for services may be due to programs closing their doors due to a lack of resources, leaving victims and survivors still experiencing abuse but having nowhere to turn.

Is the economy causing more domestic violence?

A bad economy does not cause domestic violence, nor does a good economy stop domestic violence. In homes where domestic violence exists, however, job loss, economic stress, and scarcity can be leveraged by abusive partners to exacerbate existing domestic violence. Additionally, a bad economy may create additional strain on domestic violence programs; coupled with reduced funding during times of economic uncertainty, this can mean fewer available resources for survivors, even if the abuse itself has not escalated.

Can I cite the Domestic Violence Counts Report in my article, research, textbook, presentation, etc.?

Yes! Suggested citations can be found on the inside cover page of each Domestic Violence Counts Report and on the bottom of each state, territory, and national summary.

Can I schedule an interview with NNEDV to discuss Domestic Violence Counts?

Yes! Please contact our Communications team at Communications@NNEDV.org.