Domestic violence remains one of the most urgent and under-addressed public safety issues affecting individuals and families across the United States and around the world. Despite existing laws and protective measures, many victims continue to face escalating danger, often with limited intervention before harm occurs.

In 2018, a United Nations report identified the home as the most dangerous place for women, with the majority of female homicide victims killed by intimate partners or family members. Globally, tens of thousands of women are killed each year in acts of domestic or gender-based violence. In the United States, nearly four women are killed every day by an intimate partner, and millions more experience abuse annually.

While restraining orders and legal protections exist, they are often reactive rather than preventative. Many victims report that these measures do not adequately deter escalation and, in some cases, may increase risk without proper enforcement or monitoring. At the same time, there is a lack of accessible early intervention, education, and support systems that could help prevent abusive patterns from developing or worsening.

Domestic violence is not only a private matter—it is a systemic issue that impacts public safety, healthcare systems, and community well-being. Addressing it requires a shift from reactive responses to proactive solutions that prioritize prevention, accountability, and real protection for those at risk.

Without meaningful changes that strengthen enforcement, expand prevention efforts, and support victims more effectively, this cycle will continue. It is time to recognize domestic violence as a crisis that demands earlier intervention and stronger, more effective solutions to protect lives before harm occurs.

Globally, the crisis remains severe:
- Approximately 83,000 women and girls are killed each year, with around 60% killed by a partner or family member (UN Women)  
- That means one woman is killed every 10 minutes by someone she knows (Al Jazeera)  
- On average, 137 women are killed every day by intimate partners or relatives (UN Women)  

In the United States:
- Nearly 4 women per day are killed by an intimate partner (Wikipedia)  
- Around 10 million people experience domestic violence each year (Wikipedia)  

These are not isolated incidents—they are part of a pattern that often begins with warning signs, escalation, and missed opportunities for intervention.

We are calling for stronger, proactive policies that prioritize prevention, accountability, and real safety.

### We urge lawmakers to:
- Strengthen penalties and intervention requirements for repeat offenders  
- Improve enforcement and monitoring of protective orders  
- Expand access to early intervention programs and counseling  
- Promote preventative education and relationship support initiatives  

Protecting lives requires more than reactive measures. It requires action before harm occurs.

We ask our leaders to take meaningful steps toward a safer future.

Sign to support stronger domestic violence prevention and protection. The life you save could be your own.