Domestic violence is not inevitable. How can CA help prevent it? | Opinion

The chances you know someone who has survived domestic violence — or caused it — are much higher than you may realize. Nearly two-thirds of Californians (63%) report that they have personal connections to domestic violence either directly or through friends or family, according to a newly published statewide survey. More than 30% of Californians identify as survivors. The survey findings reveal the true scope of this public health crisis. The typical measure of domestic violence, such as calls to police departments, woefully undercounts the reality. As reinforced by our survey, many survivors decline to report their abuse; that means that the problem is much bigger than the usual statistics might indicate. Even though domestic violence is everywhere, affecting entire communities, it is not inevitable. There are effective solutions for healing and prevention. Domestic violence is far more than physical, emotional and psychological abuse confined to individual households. This problem tears apart families and damages the livelihoods, productivity, health and personal development of countless Californians. Its effects ripple across entire communities, exacerbating urgent societal problems, including homelessness, economic insecurity and substance use disorders, which also contribute to domestic violence.

A 2024 study estimated the yearly economic costs of domestic violence in California at $73.7 billion. Californians understand this, and they believe that domestic violence is preventable. That’s why a remarkable 84% of survey respondents favored increased state investment in domestic violence services, including expanded mental health care, job protection, benefits assistance and cash assistance for survivors. This funding is more crucial than ever, as federal policy shifts and funding cuts threaten the service providers on whom survivors depend, but the U.S. Office on Violence Against Women is facing deep cuts and potential staff layoffs.

Persistent issues with the Crime Victims Fund — the chief source of federal grant support for domestic violence services — continue to threaten the ability of programs to meet survivors’ basic needs. Because prevention work remains woefully underfunded, violence persists and creates more demand for services. We know, however, that multipronged supports for survivors are effective in breaking the cycle of violence. Organizations supported by Blue Shield of California Foundation have consistently demonstrated the tangible successes of providing survivors support with housing, job assistance and cash aid. They have also advanced alternatives to jail for some who commit abuse, which survey respondents prioritized. But nonprofits alone cannot fund this work. Advocates urgently need robust federal and state support to prevent domestic violence and support people experiencing it. California led the way in allocating $100 million last year to support life-saving services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, backfilling federal Victims of Crime Act losses. This funding will run out by the end of this year. Our survey demonstrates that a strong majority of Californians support maintaining and building on this momentum. California legislators can help end this violence, but it will take concerted action and courage.

Debbie I. Chang, MPH, is president and CEO of Blue Shield of California Foundation.

This story was originally published November 4, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Domestic violence is not inevitable. How can CA help prevent it? | Opinion."