Statement of Kiersten Stewart,
Vice President, Public Policy & Advocacy
February 26, 2026
Contact: Lisa Lederer, 202/371-1997
Alarming New CDC Data on Domestic, Sexual Violence Should Be a
Call to Action for Much Greater Investment in Prevention, Survivor Services
“A new study, released today, paints a shocking picture of a country in which partner and sexual violence are commonplace. Among the alarming findings from the 2023/2024 Intimate Partner Violence Data Brief*, released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- More than 1 in 3 women in the United States (43.5 million) have faced sexual or physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime – 6.7 million of them in the last year.
- Nearly one in five U.S. women (19.7%) have experienced sexual violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime, including 8.6% who have been raped.
- More than 1 in 6 men in the United States (20.7 million) have faced sexual or physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime – 2.8 million of them in the last year.
- 2% of women and 22.3% of men have experienced psychological aggression (being insulted or humiliated in front of others; or coercive control and entrapment) by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
“This violence harms survivors’ physical and mental health, wellbeing, and ability to thrive, often for years, and it undermines our country’s prosperity and success. It doesn’t have to be this way. Domestic and sexual violence are preventable, and history has shown that investing in prevention and in services for survivors and their children will keep people safe. Among the most promising prevention programs are Futures Without Violence’s Coaching Boys Into Men and our evidence-based health care prevention and intervention approach CUES.
“This study should be a call to action. We need an all-hands-on-deck effort – by federal, state, and local governments, businesses, philanthropy, and other sectors of society – to turn this around. If we do that, we can build a world where everyone can live with safety, health, and economic opportunity. That work should begin now.”
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*The CDC collected data for the new survey from September 2023 through September 2024.
ABOUT FUTURES WITHOUT VIOLENCE:
Futures Without Violence (FUTURES) advances healthier, safer and more prosperous communities. Through innovative programs, award-winning public campaigns, and lasting policy change, FUTURES prevents violence against women and children, expands access to economic opportunity and quality healthcare, creates positive pathways for men and boys, and prepares the next generation of leaders – focused on communities where it’s needed most. With partners across the United States and around the world, we are building the future we believe in, together. More information is at www.futureswithoutviolence.org
