10th Annual National Census of Domestic Violence Services 2015 Maryland Report Highlights Successes and Unmet Needs

The 10th annual National Census of Domestic Violence Services conducted by the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) on September 16, 2015 was released on February 25, 2016. Twenty-two Maryland local domestic violence programs participated in the 24 hour survey, which documented the life-saving services offered by these programs as well as a significant number of unmet requests for help. 

The Maryland data included in the report, Domestic Violence Counts: A 24-hour Census of Domestic Violence Shelters and Services, found that there were 1,095 victims served across the state: 407 domestic violence victims (208 children and 199 adults) were served in emergency shelters or transitional housing; 688 adults and children received non-residential assistance and services, including counseling, legal advocacy, and children’s support groups. Additionally, 531 hotline calls were answered and 51 were educated in prevention and education trainings.

On the same day, however, there were 76 unmet requests for services in one day, of which 43% (33) were for housing. The most frequently reported causes were reductions in private funding, fewer individual donors, and government funding cuts; 18% of the programs reported staffing cuts or reductions. Programs reported that during the last year, 16 staff positions were eliminated, mostly in direct services (77%), reducing the number of advocates available to help victims.

To download the Maryland fact sheet, go here.

To view NNEDV’s national report, go here.