In 2025, at least 31 Minnesotans lost their lives due to intimate partner violence. That number—already devastating—may be an undercount. Each death leaves behind shattered families, grieving friends, and communities forever changed. As the numbers climb, one thing is clear: we are not doing enough to protect victims and prevent future tragedies.

Violence Free Minnesota has tracked these homicides for over three decades. The patterns are heartbreaking and consistent: most victims are women. Guns are often involved. Black women are disproportionately affected. And LGBTQ+ victims, like Sam Nordquist, a transgender man of color, are especially vulnerable. Yet instead of expanding services, many local organizations were forced to scale back due to federal funding cuts.

This is unacceptable. Survivors need shelter. They need counseling. They need legal help and housing support. And they need justice.

We’re calling on Minnesota lawmakers to take two urgent steps:

1. Fully restore and increase state funding for domestic violence service organizations. These groups are lifelines for survivors. When their budgets are cut, lives are put at risk.

2. Pass the Survivor Justice Act. This law would require judges to consider a defendant’s history of domestic abuse when sentencing, offering hope and fairness to survivors who have been criminalized for actions taken in the context of their abuse.

Advocates are clear: if we want to reduce domestic violence deaths, we must confront the root causes—misogyny, inequality, gun access—and invest in systems that protect, not punish, survivors.

Sign this petition to demand immediate action from Governor Tim Walz, the Minnesota Legislature, and the Department of Public Safety. Every number in this report represents a human life. Let’s honor their memory not just with mourning, but with change.