The Impact of Tornadoes and How Relief Funds Can Help
September 25, 2026October 20, 2026
For someone experiencing domestic violence, seeking safety can also mean facing urgent financial pressures. Temporary housing, moving costs, and everyday necessities can quickly become overwhelming. Each October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month encourages people to recognize abuse, support survivors, and connect those affected with help. Employee relief funds can help survivors with essential expenses as they seek safety and rebuild their lives.
What Is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence — also referred to as domestic abuse — is a pattern of behavior in a relationship where one partner intentionally harms another. This abuse can take various forms, including physical, psychological, verbal, financial, cultural, and sexual abuse. It can also extend to other individuals like children, relatives, or other household members.
Why National Domestic Violence Awareness Month Is Important
Awareness helps people recognize controlling behavior and understand the need to support survivors. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2023-24 survey, published in 2026, an estimated 6.7 million women and 2.8 million men experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner in the 12 months before the survey. The report also found that 18.2% of women and 8.6% of men experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner during their lifetime.
Additional Statistics on Domestic Violence
United States
- An average of 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner, totaling over 12 million men and women annually.
- Nearly 3 in 10 women (29%) and 1 in 10 men (10%) have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by a partner.
- 1 in 4 women (24.3%) and 1 in 7 men (13.8%) aged 18 and older have been victims of severe physical violence by an intimate partner.
- Psychological aggression by an intimate partner has been experienced by almost half of all women and men in the U.S.
Workplace Impact
- Nearly 8 million lost days of paid work each year are attributed to domestic violence issues, equivalent to over 32,000 full-time jobs.
- A staggering 96% of employed domestic violence victims experience problems at work due to the abuse.
Domestic violence can disrupt survivors’ employment and financial stability. A 2025 report from the National Domestic Violence Hotline and Futures Without Violence found that 79% of surveyed survivors said domestic violence made working more difficult, while 53% withheld that information from employers because they feared discrimination, losing their jobs, or retaliation at work.
In addition to the abuse they suffer, many of those impacted also struggle with removing themselves from the abusive situation, finding safety, and starting over. There are many resources available to assist you in leaving abusive situations and knowing who to turn to when you need help.
If you or someone you know is experiencing any type of domestic violence, reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799-7233 or texting “START” to 88788.
How Relief Funds Support Survivors
Emergency Assistance Foundation’s (EAF) employee relief funds help eligible survivors with expenses such as temporary housing, necessities, and counseling.
To date, EAF has provided more than $6 million in financial assistance to over 3,400 survivors. For employers, sponsoring a relief fund provides a practical way to support team members facing urgent financial challenges while they seek safety.
I was in an abusive relationship and had to leave for my safety. Thanks to my employer sponsoring this relief fund, I was able to get a place of my own. To those who have donated to this fund, I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I would have been homeless without this grant. There are no words to express how grateful I am.
I applied for the grant because I had to leave an abusive relationship quickly and relocate for both me and my child’s safety. This created a very bad financial strain and I needed help as after the move, I had no money for essentials. This grant made it possible for me to take care of my living expenses for another month and still be able to afford to buy my daughter a crib, mattress, and groceries. Thank you so much for the thought and action of donating to make this relief fund possible. The impact and support this fund offers is worth the investment and its everyday people like me really appreciate this so much!
How Establishing a Relief Fund Can Help Your Team Members Who Are Impacted By Domestic Violence
Seeking safety shouldn’t mean going without food or a place to stay. Yet survivors of domestic violence often face urgent expenses for temporary housing, moving, counseling, and everyday necessities. Financial assistance can help ease those pressures and give survivors more resources to take their next steps.
Your organization can provide practical support by establishing a relief fund with Emergency Assistance Foundation and including domestic abuse as an eligible event. Eligible team members can then apply for grants to help with expenses related to their circumstances.
As a financial first responder, EAF administers the fund, reviews applications, and distributes approved grants. Your organization creates an accessible support source for team members navigating domestic violence, disasters, and other personal hardships.
Learn more about how a relief fund works, or contact our team to explore a fund that meets your organization’s needs. Your support can help a team member cover essential expenses when financial stability matters most.
