Wisconsin saw a record number of domestic violence deaths last year, according to a recently released report.
End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin published its annual homicide report on Oct. 1, at the start of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and found that domestic violence deaths had risen from 85 victims in 2023 to 99 in 2024.
It’s the highest toll since the statewide advocacy organization began tracking data in 2000.
The deaths occurred in 28 counties, about 60% in urban areas and 40% rural. The domestic violence analysis includes the deaths of perpetrators who died by suicide or law enforcement action.
Firearms were used in 71% of deaths. Many of the homicides had documented risk factors associated with lethal violence, including stalking, strangulation, death threats and prior use of a weapon. The average age of victims was 36, and the majority of victims were female.
Another 11 deaths related to family violence were highlighted in the report, as well.
The report includes two calls for action: the creation of a statewide Missing and Murdered African American Women and Girls Task Force, noting the disparate rate of victimization in Wisconsin and nationally, and more sustained funding to support victims and survivors.
“Wisconsin domestic violence programs are scrambling to navigate severe funding instability,” said Monique Minkens, End Abuse’s executive director, in a news release.
“Domestic violence homicide continues to be a community crisis in our state, and we are not seeing meaningful state or federal government investment to prevent it,” she said. “Programs are forced to cut staff, reduce service availability, and even close their doors.”
The funding shortfall stems from the federal Victims of Crime Act, known as VOCA. The legislation, first passed in 1984, created a mechanism for distributing fines and fees collected in federal criminal cases. It does not use tax money.
The money has funded victim advocates, sexual assault forensic exams, emergency shelters and reimbursed victims for medical and funeral costs, among other services.
VOCA funds have declined steadily since 2018, as fewer fines were collected. Despite Congress changing the funding formula in 2021, the shortfall has persisted. Some states, including Wisconsin, used pandemic relief funds as a stopgap.
Wisconsin used to receive about $44 million annually from VOCA. The amount plummeted to $13 million annually, starting last October.
Editor’s note: End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin issued a corrected homicide report at about 6:30 p.m. Oct. 6, 2025, noting that its original report had missed a case in Monroe County, bringing the total of domestic violence deaths to 99. This story has been updated to reflect the new information.
Where to find help for domestic violence
Victim advocates can help with safety planning. Calls to advocates are confidential and do not involve law enforcement.
This article has been updated to include additional information.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin set record for domestic violence deaths in 2024, report finds
Reporting by Ashley Luthern, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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