Data shows domestic violence homicides increasing in Iowa

The holidays are just around the corner, and while most people look forward to the season with excitement, it can be a difficult time for people in vulnerable situations, like those leaving behind an abusive relationship.

It’s widely believed that domestic abuse increases during the holiday season, but victim advocates say that isn’t necessarily true. Domestic violence is a year-round issue. Still, for those already experiencing or escaping that violence, the holidays can be a difficult time. Financial stress and increased time spent at home can make an already difficult situation worse.

“The truth is domestic violence, as you know, is present 12 months out of the year, 365 days. It doesn’t necessarily spike during this time, ” said Lindsay Pingel, director of community engagement for the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence. “However, environments can change for people. Any time you add extra stress or changes to someone’s situation, it can make them more vulnerable to violence.”

For those who have already left violent domestic situations, financial difficulties — including housing uncertainty — can persist for years. The pressure of the Christmas season, combined with the change in seasons, can exacerbate those difficulties.

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DVIP & RVAP — a nonprofit that supports people affected by domestic violence and sexual violence and runs a shelter for domestic violence survivors in Johnson County — recently expanded its shelter, but DVIP Director of Community Engagement Alta Medea said the space still is regularly at capacity, especially during the winter.

“It’s colder now, and so certainly people looking for emergency shelter and housing support goes up in that regard. It also is a time where people are really trying to make it through, get through the next few weeks,” Medea said. “Usually, the beginning of January is when we see that return to normal, folks reaching out for help and fleeing those dangerous situations.”

The services that DVIP offers to survivors this time of year include support groups for those struggling with facing the holiday season after leaving abuse, and a holiday store where domestic abuse survivors can shop without charge for gifts for children and family members.

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Increases in people seeking support could reflect improved access to services

Even outside of the holiday season, the number of people being served by the nonprofit has increased over the last several years, according to Medea. In fiscal year 2018, the Domestic Violence Intervention Program served 1,746 people, and by fiscal year 2025, that number had increased to 3,269.

Medea said that while she believes there has been an increase in cases of domestic abuse, it’s also worth noting that sometimes those numbers rise because of increased awareness of what domestic abuse looks like, and more people who are experiencing abuse deciding to seek support.

“We’ve had a lot of press around our services with the addition of our new shelter, with our executive director retiring, with doubling the capacity at our new shelter, with bringing on sexual assault services,” Medea said. “So there has been a lot more coverage, and our hotline number has been in more places, so I think that it’s a ‘both, and.’ While we are certainly, absolutely, seeing increased victims because of a number of factors, we also are reaching more people about what is available to them.”

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Homicides related to domestic violence also increasing

The increase in the number of victims also has been seen on a statewide scale. Data from the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Abuse shows that the number of homicides related to domestic violence has been steadily climbing.

The statewide nonprofit recently released its annual Domestic Violence Homicide Fact Sheet, which tracks the number of domestic abuse homicides each fiscal year, starting in October. The data shows at least 88 people were killed by domestic violence in Iowa between Oct. 1, 2021 and Sept. 30, 2024.

The nonprofit gathers its data from a variety of sources, including crime reports from law enforcement agencies across the state and media reports. Since Iowa does not have a uniform path for reporting deaths related to domestic violence, it’s likely cases are missing from the data, the nonprofit has said.

“We do know that some homicides that have happened, and probably were the result of intimate partner violence, unfortunately were not captured.” Pingel said. “When we look at broader systemic issues, whether it’s biases, misclassifications, or just inconsistent reporting and crime data, those often undercount or obscure domestic violence related homicides.”

The homicides recorded by the organization have increased in recent years, jumping from 23 in Fiscal Year 2022, to 35 in Fiscal Year 2024. Pingel said there are a number of factors that could have contributed to that increase, and it’s difficult to say whether the increase in fatalities reflects an increase in domestic violence in general, or whether it shows that cases of domestic violence that already exist are becoming fatal more often.

Legislation passed by the Iowa Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Kim Reynolds in the last few years has made it easier to access firearms, and Pingel said access to a gun escalates the danger in a domestic violence situation.

The risk of a violent relationship becoming lethal also increases the longer a victim stays with their abuser, and economic difficulties can make it harder for victims to leave, while also increasing stress that can lead to violence. It also can be harder for victims to find support when they do leave, as nonprofit service providers around the state have been struggling to remain fully funded.

“Like a lot of nonprofits, we are looking at funding gaps and continuing to see programs, especially in rural Iowa, become less and less accessible,” Pingel said. “When we're talking about domestic violence, or intimate partner violence, in a broader sector, it is a crime that occurs in silence and secrecy. We're talking about, usually, individuals who, in some way, shape or form, love each other. So, it's hard sometimes for victims to come forward and ask for help.”

How to help

On a statewide scale, Pingel said that in order to stop the increase in violence, Iowa needs legislation that protects domestic abuse survivors. It also needs increased investment from the state to victim service organizations that are doing the work to support survivors across Iowa.

“We support a network of 23 victim service providers … that are working every single day with survivors on the ground,” Pingel said. “We need that investment from the state because state dollars directly impact the operations of our member programs … Domestic violence is a non-political issue. I think everyone believes, or thinks that they want everyone in their communities to be safe, but it takes action in order to do that.”

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On a more personal scale, Pingel said individuals can help to decrease the stigma surrounding domestic violence by connecting with local victim service providers to learn more about domestic violence, and talk about it with friends and family members.

“The more we talk about domestic violence, the more we can educate the community. It’s easy, if you’re someone who’s never been impacted by domestic violence, to turn away from it or pretend it’s not happening,” Pingel said.

If you notice a loved one is showing warning signs of potential domestic violence — like withdrawing unexpectedly, canceling commitments, or exhibiting increased anxiety when their partner is present — Pingel and Medea said it’s important to let those individuals know that you are there for them and are willing to offer support, without pushing them to talk about something that they may not feel ready to share.

“By looking for controlling, manipulating behaviors, and making yourself available, bringing up this article, talking about the holiday store that we offer to victim survivors, you’re opening a door to say, ‘I’m a safe person to talk to about what maybe you’re going through,’ without really pressuring the person,” Medea said. “Being consistent, being supportive and being available, those are the key components for people to be able to offer their loved ones, if they suspect abuse.”

Pingel agreed, adding that just being a kind presence in someone’s life can make a big difference in them deciding whether or not to share details of what may be going on behind closed doors. And if someone does tell you that they are experiencing abuse, the best thing you can do is to believe them.

“Small acts of kindness can really do a lot for someone who is feeling alone and has maybe been told that no one outside of this relationship cares about them, or they don't have anywhere to go,” Pingel said.

Comments: (319) 398-8328; emily.andersen@thegazette.com