In just one day 213 people in New Hampshire sought services for domestic violence, including 127 victims who found refuge in emergency shelter or transitional housing. These are just some of the statistics gathered from a 24-hour survey conducted by the member programs of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence (NHCADSV) in conjunction with a nationwide effort by the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV.)

Every year NNEDV conducts a 24-hour survey of domestic violence providers across the country to gain a snapshot of services provided by advocates in the United States. The 2008 survey was conducted on September 17th and all 12 of New Hampshire’s domestic violence providers participated. Nationally there were 60,799 victims served, including over 20,300 adults and children who sought refuge in emergency shelter. However 8,927 requests for assistance went unmet because of limited funding.

The New Hampshire summary found that:

• 213 victims received services which included:
  127 victims who found refuge in emergency shelter or transitional housing.
  86 adults and children who received non-residential assistance and services, including individual counseling, legal advocacy, and children’s support groups
• 54 Hotline calls were answered.
• 20 individuals attended a training session provided by a local domestic violence provider.

Despite the best efforts of advocates there were 11 requests for services that went unmet. Of these requests 9 were from victims seeking emergency shelter or transitional housing. This has been a growing problem for shelters in New Hampshire. “During a time of economic uncertainty, when there are not enough jobs and even fewer resources domestic violence victims are directly affected,” said Grace Mattern, Executive Director of NHCADSV. “Right now, victims are unable to meet their basic needs. Finding employment and safe affordable housing have become increasingly difficult and as a result shelter residents are extending their stays. While our beds remain full unfortunately sometimes victims will be turned away.”

The economic downturn has impacted local domestic violence shelters that have experienced funding cuts and a decrease in donations. For many of these programs this has already led to job cuts. With fewer advocates, programs are relying on the help of volunteers who have also become a shrinking resource. More assistance is needed from local communities to reach out and help these programs whether it is through financial assistance, or just the donation of people’s time.

Click here for a link to the full report.

Click here to read the New Hampshire summary.

About NNEDV
The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing public education, training and technical assistance to maintain and develop the professional expertise of advocates working to end domestic violence. NNEDV strives to strengthen advocates as organizers and activists in the tradition of social change movements.