On just one day—September 4, 2024—20 domestic violence programs across Nebraska served 422 adult survivors and children, answered 173 hotline calls, and provided 9 educational sessions to community members. Yet, despite these lifesaving efforts, 43 requests for help went unmet—a stark reminder that the need far exceeds available resources. This data comes from the 19th Annual Domestic Violence Counts Report, released by the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), in partnership with the Nebraska Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence.
“Behind every number is a real person—a survivor seeking safety,” said Christon MacTaggart, Executive Director of the Nebraska Coalition. “This snapshot is a powerful reminder of what we already know: domestic violence is happening in every community, and sometimes the need for certain types of support outweigh the resources available.”
Of the unmet requests, nearly half were for housing needs, including emergency shelter, rent assistance, motel stays, and transitional housing—critical resources that help survivors escape abuse and rebuild their lives. Without stable housing, many survivors face the agonizing choice of staying in unsafe situations or becoming homeless.
One Day in Nebraska:
- 422 survivors and children received shelter, legal assistance, counseling, and other services.
- 173 hotline calls connected individuals to information, safety planning, and crisis support.
- 9 educational sessions reached 160 community members, raising awareness and building safer communities.
- 43 requests for services went unmet due to insufficient resources, staffing, and funding.
Programs across Nebraska are clear: They need increased and sustained funding to keep their doors open and ensure no survivor is turned away. Investments through the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA), and the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) are lifelines for local programs. These funds not only support crisis intervention—they also fund violence prevention efforts that aim to stop abuse before it starts by educating communities, working with youth, and addressing root causes.
One Nebraska advocate shared:
“Increased funding and support are essential for expanding outreach, providing financial assistance to survivors, and ensuring safety and healing. The demand for services far exceeds our current capacity. Without sustained or increased funding, many survivors will continue to face barriers to receiving the help they need.”
While crisis services are essential, prevention is just as critical. Nebraska’s domestic violence programs work year-round to educate youth, engage communities, and challenge the social norms that allow abuse to persist. Violence is preventable, and investing in prevention efforts today helps ensure that fewer people need emergency shelter, hotline support, or transportation tomorrow.
The Nebraska Coalition urges lawmakers and community members alike to prioritize funding for domestic violence services and prevention efforts—and to address the systemic barriers that make it harder for survivors to find safety and support.
Read the full report: NNEDV.org/DVCounts.
About Domestic Violence Counts: 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.
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