A review by the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence finds 88 Iowans have been killed by domestic violence from October 2021 through September 2024. Spokesperson Lindsay Pingel says the numbers show an alarming trend.
“Since 1995 at least 445 lives have been lost to domestic violence, and this underscores an urgent public health concern that has claimed far too many lives. We’ve also seen a 52 percent increase in recent years — 23 deaths were reported in 2022, 30 in 2023, and 35 in 2024.”
Pingel says women make up most of the victims, though domestic violence crosses all lines. She says a lack of resources, especially housing and financial stability, often keeps survivors trapped in unsafe situations.
“Housing is the number one barrier to safety for a survivor, and access to affordable, stable housing remains a major issue. Many survivors also face financial abuse, so when they choose to leave, they often don’t have the resources to start over. Our network of advocates works alongside survivors to help them find safety and stability.”
Pingel adds that state and federal funding are crucial to addressing the crisis.
“All of this takes investment from both the federal and state governments, so we’re constantly advocating for policy changes, better protections, and increased state support.”
The Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence partners with 23 service provider agencies working across all 99 counties to support survivors and raise awareness.
