Annual Survey Shows Importance of Funding for Domestic Violence Programs

Each year, the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) takes a one day survey of domestic violence programs across the country. The purpose of this survey is to determine what services are being used – and what needs are going unmet – in communities throughout the United States.

In 2024, more than 14,000 requests for help went unanswered, which highlights the critical importance of sustainable funding for programs like Blackburn Center, that deliver essential support and services to survivors and victims. In many cases, needs go unmet due to limited staffing and funding shortfalls, which leaves many survivors and victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse, and other forms of violence and abuse without the critical care and support they deserve.

If you want to help, you can start by reaching out to your senators and representative to ask them to support programs that assist survivors and victims. This includes funding through the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA).

Pennsylvania Survey Results

On September 4, 2024, nearly all (93%) domestic violence programs in Pennsylvania participated in the NNEDV’s national survey. During a single day, these 56 programs provided an incredible number of services to communities across the state.

In Pennsylvania, 3,184 adults and children were served by domestic violence programs. This includes 2,006 people who found refuge in emergency shelters and other forms of housing. On this one day, 1,178 people received other types of services, such as counseling, court accompaniment, legal representation, and transportation.

Each hour, an average of 37 people contacted domestic violence hotlines, for a total of 882 hotline contacts in 1 day. An additional 395 people received training on this day on topics like domestic violence prevention and early intervention.

While the domestic violence programs across Pennsylvania do incredible work each and every day, on September 4, 2024, they were unable to meet 483 requests for services from survivors/victims. These requests went unmet because of insufficient resources, funding, and/or staffing. About 41% of these requests for help that went unanswered related to housing.

National Survey Results

On the same day, NNEDV took a survey of domestic violence programs throughout the entire country.  Across the United States, 1,741 programs (86%) participated in this 24-hour survey.

In this time frame, programs nationwide served 79,088 survivors and victims. This included providing housing for 50,188 adults and children and offering other services to 28,900 people. These services included things like legal support, counseling and therapy, and transportation.

On September 4, 2024, domestic violence programs across the nation received 26,109 hotline calls from survivors and victims. An additional 16,464 people attended educational programs on this day.

Unfortunately, 14,095 individuals’ needs were unmet due to lack of resources, funding, and/or staffing (primarily housing needs). According to one advocate in Georgia, “Our organization experienced a 25% cut in Victims of Crime Act and Violence Against Women Act funding, and we expect additional cuts in the next grant cycle. Meanwhile, the number of victims we serve has increased by 18%. We cannot continue to do more with less funding. It is time that domestic violence services are seen as a priority and funded properly.”

How You Can Help

We know that for many people, rising costs and economic uncertainty means that funds are tight for many. However, if you can do so, a donation to support Blackburn Center’s vital work would be incredibly appreciated.

Mark your calendar for August 5th – #OneDay, an online giving event organized by The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County.  This is a great opportunity to maximize your impact, as matching funding will help Blackburn Center by supporting basic needs and essential human services in our community.

You can also advocate for Blackburn Center by reaching out to your elected officials and encouraging them to support funding for domestic violence programs. Federal funding is a key source of financial support for programs that provide services free of charge to survivors and victims throughout the country.

Finally, you can support our work by sharing more about our mission and our requests for help. We know that not everyone is in a place to donate or to contact their senators and representatives. If you can encourage others to do so, it could be a huge boost and help us spread the message more broadly.

As always, we are here if you need us. Our hotline is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 1-888-832-2272 (TDD available). All calls are free of charge and can be anonymous.