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Over 79,000 Survivors Served in a Single Day: NNEDV’s 19th Annual Domestic Violence Counts Report Reveals Volume of Services and Unmet Needs

May 20, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Communications@NNEDV.org

Washington, DC – On September 4, 2024, 1,741 domestic violence programs across the United States served 79,088 adult victims of domestic violence and their children, answered 26,109 hotline contacts, and educated 16,464 members of their communities. Yet, alarmingly, 14,095 requests for help went unmet due to a lack of resources, according to the 19th Annual Domestic Violence Count Report, highlighting the importance of prioritizing funding to provide services.

Today, the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) will launch the 19th Annual Domestic Violence Count Report during a bipartisan Congressional briefing at 2:00 PM ET via Facebook Live. For nineteen years, NNEDV’s Domestic Violence Counts Report has been the premier trusted source of data on the lifesaving services and support that advocates provide to survivors and their children.

This event is being presented in coordination with Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Gwen Moore (D-WI), and Ann Wagner (R-MO). It will feature remarks from Representatives Dingell and Moore, Stephanie Love-Patterson (NNEDV President & CEO), Melina Milazzo (NNEDV Director of Public Policy), Deepali Gulati (Saheli Boston Interim Executive Director), Joyce Yedlosky (West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence Team Coordinator), and Sam, a survivor.

“Domestic violence is dangerous, and it is deadly. Every day across our country, local shelters and programs help victims and their children in their most vulnerable moments, providing them with safety and lifesaving resources. And yet, these same shelters and programs struggle to make ends meet and keep their doors open,” said Stephanie Love-Patterson, NNEDV President & CEO. “Funding, especially federal funding, is essential to survivors of domestic violence and the programs that support them. Every change and reduction to this funding jeopardizes these vital services, leaving survivors without the lifesaving support they need to escape violence. ”

On the survey day, participating programs across the United States:

  • Served 79,088 adults and children with critical services and support.
  • Received 26,109 hotline contacts, sharing essential information and resources.
  • Provided 651 educational sessions and trainings to 16,464 members of their communities.

“The National Network to End Domestic Violence’s annual Domestic Violence Counts Report uplifts the important work of domestic violence advocates at local programs across the country, and highlights the stark realities that survivors and their children face when resources are unavailable or when funding falls short of overwhelming needs,” said Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI). “In Michigan alone, more than 570 requests for help went unmet on the survey day alone. We can, and must, do better. I am proud to co-lead the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act and other critical legislation to support survivors, their children, and the advocates who help them, and will continue to work in Congress to invest in these life-saving services.”

Tragically, on that same day, victims made 14,095 requests for services that programs could not provide because they lacked sufficient resources, funding, and/or staffing.

“Our country has made great strides in addressing domestic violence, but each year, the Domestic Violence Counts Report serves as a reminder to all of us that much work remains to ensure survivors and their children can access the services and support they need,” said Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA). “I will continue fighting to secure funding for the Violence Against Women Act, the Family Violence Prevention and Services, and other vital programs that raise awareness and provide critical resources for victims to rebuild their lives. Together with the National Network to End Domestic Violence and local organizations across Pennsylvania, I remain committed to ensuring every survivor and their children have the resources, protection, and support they deserve.”

Domestic violence programs nationwide 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. More resources are urgently required at the federal, tribal, state, territorial, and local levels to keep programs open and survivors safe.

“I am so grateful to the National Network to End Domestic Violence for their critical work, including conducting the annual Domestic Violence Counts Survey to better understand survivors’ urgent needs. Participating programs, including more than 60 in my home state of Wisconsin and nearly 2,000 across the country, provide lifesaving services every day,” said Representative Gwen Moore (D-WI). “Advocates at these programs deserve to do their jobs with dignity and with access to abundant funding and resources to help keep survivors safe. I will keep championing robust funding for legislation like the Violence Against Women Act to lift up survivors.”

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.

“Every day, thousands of domestic violence survivors and their children receive lifesaving services from local programs in Missouri and throughout the United States. As shown in the National Network to End Domestic Violence’s annual report, these vital programs provide housing, legal support, counseling, and other vital services to the most vulnerable in our communities,” said Representative Ann Wagner (R-MO). “Tragically, the lifeline for these services, the Crime Victims Fund, faces a severe shortfall. That’s why I am so proud to lead the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act, which has gained the support of over 160 bipartisan Members of Congress, to ensure these programs can continue to help those in need. I will continue to fight to see this bill signed into law.”

Learn more in the 19th Annual Domestic Violence Counts Report.

NNEDV is grateful to Amazon, Gold Sponsor of the 19th 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.

Conducted annually by the National Network to End Domestic Violence (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, the 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 programs being forced to turn away victims who urgently need help. Learn more at NNEDV.org/DVCounts.