Study: More Than 25% of Violent Crimes Linked to Domestic Relationships

The FBI’s latest data analysis reveals a concerning trend in domestic violence across America, with such incidents now accounting for over a quarter of all violent crimes reported nationwide.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s special report “Domestic Relationships and Violent Crimes, 2020–2024,” the percentage of violent crimes involving domestic relationships has shown a steady increase over the past five years. The share rose from 25.6% in 2020 to 27.5% in 2024, with only a brief plateau at 27.0% during 2022 and 2023.

The comprehensive analysis, which draws on data from the FBI’s National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), provides a detailed picture of violent crime patterns within American households and intimate relationships.

While the increase appears modest at first glance, security experts point out that the consistent upward trajectory signals a troubling pattern that warrants attention from policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and social service organizations.

Among the various categories of violent crime with domestic connections, aggravated assault emerged as the most prevalent. The report indicates that 31.0% of reported aggravated assaults involved domestic relationships, representing the highest percentage across all violent crime categories examined.

In stark contrast, robbery showed a much lower correlation with domestic situations, with only 6.5% of such crimes involving domestic relationships. This disparity highlights how certain types of violent crime are more characteristic of domestic abuse patterns than others.

Perhaps most striking is the significant gender disparity among victims. The FBI data reveals that women comprise nearly three-quarters (74.5%) of all victims in domestic-relationship violent crimes. This statistic aligns with global patterns documented by the World Health Organization, which estimates that approximately 840 million women—nearly one-third of the global female population—have experienced intimate partner or sexual violence during their lifetimes.

Criminal justice experts note that while high-profile cases occasionally feature male victims, such as the widely publicized case of Kouri Richins who allegedly poisoned her husband, these instances run counter to the overwhelming statistical trend showing women as the predominant victims in domestic violence situations.

The FBI report also provided sobering statistics on fatal domestic violence. Between 2020 and 2024, the bureau documented 11,466 murder victims in cases involving domestic relationships. During the same period, more than 1.1 million Americans fell victim to other forms of domestic-relationship violent crimes.

These numbers underscore the pervasiveness of domestic violence in American society. Far from representing a marginal subset of criminal activity, domestic violence constitutes a substantial portion of the nation’s violent crime landscape—a portion that continues to grow year by year.

Domestic violence prevention advocates point out that the COVID-19 pandemic likely exacerbated existing tensions in many households, with lockdowns forcing victims and abusers to spend more time in close quarters, often with reduced access to support networks and intervention services.

Law enforcement officials emphasize that these statistics highlight the importance of community awareness and early intervention programs. Many jurisdictions have implemented specialized domestic violence units and enhanced training for officers responding to such calls, recognizing the unique challenges these cases present.

As the data continues to show an upward trend in domestic violence cases, experts stress that addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach involving law enforcement, social services, healthcare providers, and community support systems working in coordination to identify at-risk situations and provide timely assistance to vulnerable individuals.