close Exit Site If you are in crisis, please contact the U.S. National Domestic Violence Hotline via phone (1-800-799-SAFE), chat (TheHotline.org), or text (START to 88788), or contact 911 if it is safe to do so. Click EXIT SITE to leave this website immediately. If your device is monitored, consider clearing your browser history after visiting this website.
Donate Now Exit Site
Action Alert

When funding is delayed, programs are left without the resources needed to operate — put [Read More]

Take Action

Every Victim Counts: NNEDV to Conduct 21st Annual Domestic Violence Counts Survey

September 9, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: NNEDV Communications Team (Communications@NNEDV.org)

Washington, DC – Today, the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) will survey more than 2,000 domestic violence programs across the country for its 21st Annual Domestic Violence Counts (DV Counts) Survey.

Conducted annually by NNEDV since 2006, the Domestic Violence Counts Survey is a one-day, unduplicated count of adults and children seeking domestic violence services in the United States.

Each year, NNEDV’s Domestic Violence Counts Report summarizes this data and shares stories of both hope and heartbreak – from advocates connecting survivors and their children with lifesaving assistance, to funding delays forcing programs to turn away victims who urgently need help.

Last year’s 20th Annual Domestic Violence Counts Survey, which NNEDV conducted on September 10, 2025, found that participating programs served more than 84,000 victims and did not have enough resources to meet more than 13,000 requests for help – in just one day. This is unacceptable.

“Every single day, in every community, domestic violence victims ask for help in their most vulnerable moments. Advocates work tirelessly to answer their calls, give them a safe place to stay, and provide them with the support and hope they need to rebuild their lives after abuse,” said Tonia Moultry-Pace, NNEDV Interim President & CEO. “Federal funding makes all of this possible. As our DV Counts Survey shows, year after year, these dollars save lives. They help keep the lights on and the doors open at local shelters. They help keep our families, neighbors, and communities safe and resilient. Any delay or reduction in federal funding jeopardizes vital services and victims’ lives.”

Last year, DV Counts participating programs were also asked how long they could sustain their services if their federal funding was reduced by 50% or more. If these hypothetical reductions took place, within six months, 54% of programs would close their doors. Within one year, 77% of programs would close.

Victims already struggle to find safety and regain their independence. Our nation must provide additional resources, improve system-wide responses, and eliminate barriers to safety and justice. No program should ever have to turn away victims or close its doors due to funding cuts or delays. Yet, this is the reality for many programs across the United States. Survivors, advocates, and programs deserve better.

NNEDV is proud to conduct the Domestic Violence Counts Survey each year. We offer our gratitude to the staff members at participating programs for sharing information about their lifesaving work and for shining a light on survivors’ and advocates’ urgent needs.

###

The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) represents the 56 state and U.S. territorial coalitions against domestic violence. NNEDV is a social change organization working to create a social, political, and economic environment in which domestic violence no longer exists. NNEDV works to make domestic violence a national priority, change the way society responds to domestic violence, and strengthen domestic violence advocacy at every level.