Domestic violence incidents in a sample of 20 cities were an estimated 29% to 53% higher than shown by official counts, says a new report from the Council on Criminal Justice (CCJ). The think tank analyzed enforcement reports and victimization survey data to estimate the underreporting of such incidents. Domestic violence is particularly difficult to track.
The report concluded that the U.S. "has no solid grasp on how much domestic violence actually occurs." Researchers estimated that domestic violence incidents in the sample were underreported by an average of 336 incidents per city in 2022. Las Vegas (564) and Albuquerque (461) had the most underreported incidents, while Chesapeake City, VA (69) and Buffalo, N.Y. (109) had the fewest. “Only with more accurate, reliable, and timely data will researchers, practitioners, and policymakers be in a better position to prevent domestic violence and promote public health and public safety across the U.S.,” the report said. Authors said a new methodology could be applied to other crime types where underreporting is problematic, such as hate crimes.