Thursday, May 14, 2015 | 2:10 p.m.
More than 40,000 domestic-violence victims sought help from state-funded programs in 2014, a 13 percent increase over the previous year, according to an annual report released today by the Nevada Network Against Domestic Violence.
The bulk of those victims — 28,337 people — were from Clark County. Another 9,380 victims lived in Washoe County.
A look at the numbers in 2014
• 40,927 people were primary victims of domestic violence (38,145 females and 2,782 male).
• 457 victims were pregnant.
• 11,927 victims were unemployed.
• 11,354 temporary protective orders were prepared.
• 18,540 individual counseling sessions were held.
“We should be alarmed at the number of people coming to services in the state,” said Sue Meuschke, executive director of the network, which provides statewide advocacy, education and support to organizations helping domestic violence victims.
If there’s any silver lining, it’s that more agencies seem to be in a better position to help victims, Meuschke said. At the height of the economic downturn, many organizations and programs were forced to tighten their belts because of decreased funding, meaning fewer resources available, she said.
“We are starting to feel we can reach out and help more people,” Meuschke said, referring to the improved economic conditions.
Officials also said the controversy surrounding NFL player Ray Rice spurred greater awareness about domestic violence. In September, video surfaced showing the Baltimore Ravens running back slugging his then-fiance in an elevator months earlier.
State-funded agencies and programs reported a spike in calls related to domestic violence after that incident, Meuschke said.
The Nevada Network Against Domestic Violence found that 14 people in Nevada allegedly were killed by intimate partners or ex-partners last year, according to an analysis of media reports.
“The problem happens incrementally and over time,” Meuschke said. “It isn’t always a homicide. This is something happening in your neighborhood, in your community and we all need to be concerned.”
The Nevada Network Against Domestic Violence’s annual report is based on numbers reported by agencies and programs that received state funding.
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