About Domestic Violence
About Domestic Violence
Embedded Files
Click the exit button to be redirected to an unrelated website if you need to.
Domestic violence is a serious problem in Minnesota, and recent numbers show just how bad it’s gotten. In 2023, 40 people were killed in the state due to intimate partner violence, the highest number ever recorded. More than half of these deaths involved a firearm, and many of the victims had recently left or were trying to leave their abusive partners.
Sources: KSTP, Star Tribune
Each year, around 70,000 people in Minnesota seek help from domestic violence programs. Women between the ages of 18 and 34 are at the highest risk. In fact, domestic violence is the number one cause of injury to women in the state-- more than car accidents, muggings, and stranger attacks combined. Domestic abuse victims account for one quarter of violent crime victims in Minnesota, even though an estimated 80% of domestic assaults go unreported.
Sources: Safe Haven Shelter
Domestic violence shelters play a crucial role in keeping survivors safe and helping them rebuild their lives. In Minnesota, these shelters can provide emergency housing, safety planning, legal advocacy, counseling, and support groups. Many can also help with things like finding long-term housing, employment, and childcare.
Across the state, organizations like Violence Free Minnesota, Safe Haven Shelter and Resource Center in Duluth, and The Dwelling Place in the Twin Cities offer these vital services. Some shelters are always full due to high demand, which shows how urgently these services are needed. In 2023 alone, thousands of people reached out to shelters for help, and many had to be put on waiting lists or referred elsewhere because of limited space and resources.
Unfortunately, funding for these services doesn’t always match the need. In 2023, victim support programs asked the state for $25 million to help cover rising demand, but they only got $16 million. That’s left resources like the Hope Coalition and 360 Communities struggling to keep up.
In 2025, resources like Tubman are bracing for an up to $3.9 million decrease in funding, about 29% of their budget. This can impact the number of beds available, availability of legal services, and availability of services for children in school. These services are especially important for people trying to leave abusive relationships, which is statistically one of the most dangerous times for a victim.
Sources: Star Tribune, KSTP
Ann Averill, the Violence Prevention and Intervention Manager at 360 Communities, shows one of the rooms at the domestic violence shelter in Hastings. In November, the nonprofit will shut down the shelter, one of two the organization runs in Dakota County. (Elizabeth Flores, Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Despite their importance, domestic violence shelters often struggle with funding. As mentioned, service providers requested $25 million in 2023 to meet the growing demand but received only $16 million, leaving many programs stretched thin or needing to reduce their available services. Still, shelter workers and advocates continue to provide life-saving support every day, often going above and beyond to make sure survivors don’t have to face abuse alone.
Private donations and support are increasingly needed in response to the flat, reduced or even eliminated funding that these resources are continuing to experience. Organizations like The Ahava Project seek to raise and provide funding to help fill in the gaps that these funding shortfalls have created. Please consider joining our efforts to support these organizations in any way you are able.
Google Sites
Report abuse