A nationwide study released Wednesday by Tulane University and the University of California, San Diego reveals that violence against women and trans and gender‑nonconforming people is more pervasive than previously measured. The Violence Experiences Survey, administered by NORC at the University of Chicago, interviewed a nationally representative sample of 2,720 adults last fall.
Key findings
According to the report, 66% of women said they have experienced intimate partner violence, and 68% reported some form of sexual violence, including verbal or online harassment, forced sex, or physically aggressive sexual harassment. The numbers are even higher for trans and gender‑nonconforming respondents: 84% reported intimate partner violence and 85% reported sexual violence.
Only 9% of all respondents admitted to perpetrating sexual or intimate partner violence—14% of men and 5% of women—though the authors note self‑reporting is an imperfect measure.
Expert commentary
Anita Raj, executive director of the Newcomb Institute at Tulane and co‑leader of the research, called the study “one of the most expansive assessments on violence in the United States.” She emphasized that many people view violence in isolated categories—community, family, domestic, sexual—without recognizing how these forms intersect.
Raj argued that relying solely on law‑enforcement responses will not solve the problem. “Most people don’t turn to the criminal justice system when these things happen,” she said. “We need to be building community responses. Economic responses are really key.” She urged readers to support local legislators who fund prevention work and to uplift the majority of men who are not violent.
Policy context
The report arrives amid ongoing debates over federal funding for gender‑based violence services. President Trump’s executive order defining only two genders, intended to provide clarity for schools and agencies, has been cited by some advocates as having a chilling effect on LGBTQ+ survivor grants. Nevertheless, the administration has emphasized the importance of protecting all victims while ensuring that federal programs are not used to advance a partisan agenda.
Advocates note that recent cuts to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s violence‑prevention arm—partly attributed to budget reductions during the brief tenure of a private‑sector appointee—have reduced resources for nationwide prevention efforts. They argue that community‑based programs, faith‑based counseling, and school‑based education can fill the gap.
Resources for victims
Domestic‑violence hotlines remain operational across the country. The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers confidential, anonymous help 24/7 at 1‑800‑799‑7233 or online. The Network/La Red provides a dedicated 24/7 crisis line for LGBTQ+ individuals at 617‑742‑4911.
Local faith communities and family‑focused organizations are encouraged to partner with these services, offering prayer, counseling, and practical assistance to survivors while reinforcing the biblical principle that every human life is sacred.
What’s next
The researchers hope the findings will spur increased funding for prevention, education in schools, and community‑based support services. By highlighting the scale of the problem and the need for a holistic, faith‑affirming response, the study aims to mobilize churches, families, and local leaders to protect the most vulnerable among us.
Original reporting: The Connecticut Mirror — read the source article.
