Homicides have declined in Connecticut for years, but domestic and family violence killings have held steady and now account for about one-third of the state’s homicides.
In the first half of 2026, there were 38 confirmed homicides, excluding negligent manslaughter. But 14 of the 38 homicides, or 37%, were the result of domestic or family violence.
Across the state, violent crimes against people such as assault and homicide are down 11.8% in the first half of 2026 compared the first half of last year, part of a broader six-year trend that extreme domestic violence cases do not seem to follow.
“We are seeing a faster escalation to violence or lethality within the family or intimate partner dynamics statewide,” Meghan Scanlon, the president and CEO of the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence, said.
As crime in the state continues to fall, extreme domestic and family violence cases are either holding steady or increasing slightly. This trend is particularly prevalent when looking at homicides; in 2021, 18% of homicides were domestic or family violence related compared to 33% last year.
While the most extreme domestic violence cases do not follow the broader trend of violent crime in the state, the frequency of all reported domestic and family violence crime has decreased since 2014. Extreme cases involving stalking, strangulation, homicide, risk of injury, kidnapping and sexual assault make up a small percentage of all reported domestic and family violence in the state.
These trends are not unique to Connecticut, according to Scanlon.
California, like Connecticut, is seeing fewer domestic violence reports. However, the reported cases are more severe, according to an analysis by the Public Policy Institute of California.
Scanlon also said people are staying longer at the shelters, people are coming in with more trauma, and more children are victims of physical violence themselves.
The organization, which is made up of 18 sites across the state that provide domestic violence services, has seen a steady number of people seeking help. However, there is not always have room at their safe houses for those in need — especially as average stays continue to get longer.
“It does make it quite hard to ensure that when people are reaching out to our system that they feel like they’re getting all the services that they feel like they need,” Scanlon said. “Unfortunately, sometimes we just don’t have the space, so we have to be honest with them about that.”
The state is facing severe funding gaps, Scanlon said. Federal funding shrank in both the first and second Trump administrations, and there is very little supplemental funding available.
“At this point, every state is really advocating for funds to stabilize services,” Scanlon said.
And at the state level, Scanlon said, the organization will also be advocating for funding stabilization this legislative session.
“I think when it comes to the positions that are embedded within the court system, we really are asking the state to step up and fund the family violence victim advocates,” Scanlon said.
If you are facing domestic or family violence, please call or text 888-774-2900 for the Domestic Violence Support Hotline, or chat www.ctsafeconnect.org. In an emergency, call or text 911.
