While local domestic violence programs in the U.S. helped more than 67,000 victims in just one day, unmet requests increased.
In just one day, advocates scrambled to find needed shelter, housing, and resources, though sadly could not meet 10,581 requests for assistance.
An annual survey conducted by the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) provides insight into domestic violence services in the United States. On September 15, 2011 – one 24-hour period – domestic violence victim advocates served more than 67,000 victims and answered more than 22,000 emergency hotline calls.
In Maryland, 866 victims were served at domestic violence programs, which includes 408 victims in shelter and 458 victims and children who received non-residential services, such as counseling, legal advocacy, and support groups. Domestic violence hotlines in Maryland answered 545 hotline calls, which averages 22 calls per hour. Despite all of these services provided, Maryland domestic violence programs reported 154 unmet requests, due to lack of funding, not enough staff, and not enough shelter beds. The unmet needs more most commonly counseling, legal advocacy, and children’s support services.
The Maryland fact sheet is available for download here: DVCounts11_StateSummary_MD