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More Than 84,000 Survivors Served in a Single Day: NNEDV’s 20th Annual Domestic Violence Counts Report Released

March 25, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Washington, DC – On September 10, 2025, 1,707 domestic violence programs across the United States served 84,146 victims, survivors, and their children, received 23,747 hotline contacts, and provided 808 educational sessions and trainings to 18,843 members of their communities, according to the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV)’s newly released 20th Annual Domestic Violence Counts Report.

On that same day, 13,018 requests for help went unmet due to a lack of resources, funding, and/or staffing at local programs, highlighting the importance of prioritizing funding for these essential services. The majority of these unmet requests (58%) were for shelter and housing.

NNEDV officially launched the report this afternoon on Capitol Hill during a bipartisan congressional briefing, presented in coordination with Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Gwen Moore (D-WI).

The briefing featured remarks from Molly Voyles (Texas Council on Family Violence), Vivian Huelgo (Esperanza United), Shehariah Johnson (Survivor), Tonia Moultry-Pace (NNEDV Interim President & CEO), and Melina Milazzo (NNEDV Director of Public Policy).

For two decades, Domestic Violence Counts has been the premier trusted source of data on the lifesaving services that domestic violence advocates provide to survivors every day. Conducted annually by NNEDV since 2006, Domestic Violence Counts is a one-day, unduplicated count of adults and children seeking domestic violence services in the United States.

“Every day across our country, domestic violence advocates meet survivors in their scariest, most vulnerable moments. This work is difficult, often thankless, frequently underpaid, and largely unrecognized – yet advocates continue showing up for the survivors who depend on them,” said Tonia Moultry-Pace, NNEDV Interim President & CEO. “These survivors, and the advocates who help them, deserve better. Domestic violence programs help make our communities stronger and safer for everyone. They need adequate federal funding and resources to keep going.”

Domestic violence programs across the United States need increased funding to support all survivors seeking help while also working toward preventing violence in our communities. The lack of adequate resources has devastating consequences for victims and survivors.

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

“For twenty years, the National Network to End Domestic Violence has conducted the Domestic Violence Counts Survey: a key tool in helping our nation better understand the lifesaving services provided by programs and advocates, along with the gaps in safety that still exist,” said Representative Gwen Moore (D-WI). “In Wisconsin, nearly 2,000 victims were served, and nearly 200 requests went unmet, in just a single day. I’ll continue to champion legislation like the Violence Against Women Act until every member of our communities can be safe and live free from abuse.”

Funding for Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA), and Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grants are essential for programs, advocates, and survivors.

“I commend the National Network to End Domestic Violence as they mark twenty years of Domestic Violence Counts – shining a spotlight on the urgent needs of domestic violence victims, survivors, advocates, and programs across our nation,” said Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI). “Unfortunately, there’s still much more work to be done. In Michigan alone, more than 1,000 requests for help went unmet on the survey day. I’m proud to co-lead the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act and other critical legislation to support victims and the programs they depend on for healing, safety, and survival.”

Additional resources must be provided, system-wide responses must be improved, and barriers to safety and justice must be eliminated to ensure that survivors are not left without resources and that no program is ever forced to turn away survivors or close their doors when faced with a decrease in funding.

“Domestic violence advocates across our nation have worked tirelessly to help victims and end the epidemic of abuse. In just one day last year, Pennsylvania advocates served nearly 2,800 people in need. I am committed to securing funding for the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, the Violence Against Women Act, and other cornerstone legislation that help make their jobs easier and our country safer,” said Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA). “Thank you to the National Network to End Domestic Violence for conducting the annual Domestic Violence Counts Survey, reminding us all how much we’ve accomplished and how much work is yet to be done.”

NNEDV is grateful to Amazon, Gold Sponsor of the 20th Annual Domestic Violence Counts Report.

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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.