The National Network to End Domestic Violence, a leading nonprofit advocate for victims of abuse, recently released the findings of a 24-hour survey that shows that although domestic violence experts answered more than 23,000 emergency hotline calls daily, 9,280 requests for help went unmet.
The snapshot study, taken last fall, also shows that in one 24-hour period 65,000 victims of domestic violence and their children received life-saving services. The results were submitted by 1,648 domestic violence programs that participated, which account for 83 percent nationwide.
Sue Else, president of NNEDV, said that numbers show that the economic problems of late are exacerbating domestic violence and at the same time limiting services to victims of domestic violence. But despite the difficulties, she said, advocates and volunteers are giving back to the community more than ever to address the issue.
"I am in awe of the grassroots victim advocates who served more than 65,000 victims in one day alone," said Else. "But I’m saddened that more than 9,000 times the same day, limited resources forced these tireless advocates to say, ‘I’m sorry we can’t provide what you’re asking for, but we’ll do whatever we can to help. We have come a long way, but these numbers remind us that we still have a long way to go."
This is the fourth annual survey that NNEDV has conducted in an attempt to analyze domestic violence services.
The project was supported by Intelius – one of the top 100 most visited websites on the internet, which specializes in background checks and identity theft protection – as well as the Mary Kay Foundation and the Allstate Foundation.
Others hoping to support NNEDV in its mission to stop domestic violence may want to sign up for action alerts, which allows the nonprofit to let supporters know when there is political action that can be taken to support legislation to aid life-saving services for victims.