For those who experience domestic violence in our community, it’s a horror that's kept hidden. That time is over.

Women in this country lose an estimated eight million paid days of work each year due to domestic violence. The costs continue upward with medical expenses, lost days of school and legal expenses.
(Source: Intimate Partner Violence-Consequences-Cost to Society. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2003)

United Way is committed to stopping the cycle of violence and helping victims of domestic abuse reclaim their lives. United Way and The Refuge Network recently partnered to open the first shelter for battered women in Isanti and Chisago counties. Watch our slideshow and read how we are breaking the cycle of domestic abuse.

Community Issue*

• Some 27 percent of Minnesota women have experienced domestic violence in their lifetime—that’s more than 1 in every 4 women.
• Three percent of adult women in this state experience domestic abuse in a 12-month period: equivalent to 57,000 women each year.
• On average, fewer than 1 in 3 instances of domestic abuse are reported to police.
• Domestic abuse victims account for over 25 percent of all violent crimes.

* Source: 2008 Minnesota Crime Victim Survey

Agenda for Lasting Change Goal

Domestic abuse is often marked by a cycle of escalating violence, but by increasing access to services for victims and families, the cycle can be broken and healing can begin.

United Way's Agenda for Lasting Change goal is to increase access to services by 20 percent by 2012, supporting thousands of additional families in putting an end to the violence.

United Way Response

United Way staff are currently processing applications for new multi-year funding to be announced early next year. in addition to current shelters and services, we're considering new and innovative strategies.

Stabilizing people in crisis by providing food, shelter and other basic services.

• Support shelters providing safety and services to people in crisis due to domestic/family violence.
• Invest in programs providing services to support individuals and families addressing domestic violence, including legal and advocacy support, housing and financial planning assistance, and health, mental health and chemical dependency support.

Strengthening people’s ability to improve their long-term quality of life through education, income and health.

• Invest in programs with innovative approaches to domestic violence, address cultural differences and determine best practice methods.
• Build awareness of the issue and its impact on the community through sponsorship of key events like the recent international conference Bridging Perspectives: Intervening with Men Who Batter.
• Invest in youth empowerment programs that deliver proactive messaging—our partnership with youthrive over the past two years has brought both Desmond Tutu and Adolfo Perez Esquivel to the Twin Cities, serving as peaceful role models for youth in North Minneapolis.

Streamlining systems to ensure programs and practices work together to create lasting community change.

• Provide funding for benchmark studies to best understand the realities of domestic violence and identify gaps in service:
  2008 Minnesota Crime Victim Survey (See PDF)
  Statewide Shelter Survey
  Hotel/Motel Bed Study—showed the critical need for more emergency shelter beds for domestic abuse victims
• Partner with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety-Office of Justice Programs to develop best practice protocols for statewide implementation.
• Provide education and training about domestic violence for other United Ways in Minnesota and expand them to the national United Way system.

Get Involved

On Thursday, October 22, Start Strong teens nationwide are orchestrating local events in order to “take it to the streets” of their communities during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Be a part of this record-breaking day to stop abuse by starting a national conversation.

Learn More

• Read the United Way Overview (PDF)