Over 300 Survivors Served in a Single Day: ND Data from the 19th Annual DV Counts Report

In just one day…

On September 4, 2024, 18 domestic violence programs across North Dakota served 304 adult victims of domestic violence and their children, answered 81 hotline contacts, and provided 6 educational sessions to 152 people. Yet, alarmingly, 52 requests for help went unmet due to a lack of resources, according to the 19th Annual Domestic Violence Count Report, highlighting the importance of funding to provide services. 

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. 

This year, the North Dakota Domestic & Sexual Violence Coalition (NDDSVC) joined the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) in launching the 19th Annual Domestic Violence Counts Report. For nineteen years, Domestic Violence Counts has been the premier trusted source of data on the services domestic violence advocates provide to survivors every day. 

“It’s easy to think that domestic violence doesn’t happen often or isn’t a huge problem in our state, but the Domestic Violence Counts Report shows how common domestic violence truly is. In just a single day, North Dakota advocates served 304 adults and children experiencing domestic violence. Federal and state funding are essential to providing these lifesaving services and keeping individuals safe,” said Seth O’Neill, NDDSVC’s Executive Director.

Tragically, on that same day, victims made 52 requests for services that programs could not provide because they lacked sufficient resources, funding, and/or staffing. Programs in North Dakota and nationwide need increased funding to support all survivors seeking help while also working to prevent violence in our communities. The lack of adequate resources has devastating consequences for victims and survivors. Without support from domestic violence programs, many survivors are unable to leave abusive situations or heal from abuse, and they may be forced to endure more violence.

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. Furthermore, 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.

View the North Dakota Summary from the 19th Annual DV Counts Report.

View the full 19th Annual Domestic Violence Counts Report from NNEDV.

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The North Dakota Domestic & Sexual Violence Coalition (NDDSVC) supports and serves as a unified voice for 19 domestic violence/sexual assault (DV/SA) victim advocacy centers across North Dakota. From training and educational materials to public awareness and legislative policy change, NDDSVC works to provide North Dakota communities with the best tools and information to better support victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence.