Wisconsin Domestic Violence Deaths Fell in 2025
A new report shows statewide domestic violence fatalities dropped to 82 last year from 99 in 2024.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Violence
Live Poll
Should your community prioritize more housing resources to help protect domestic violence victims?
Statewide data indicates domestic violence fatalities in Wisconsin declined to 82 in 2025, down from a record 99 in 2024. Despite this annual decrease, total family violence-related deaths reached 101 for the year.
Why it matters
Understanding these trends helps address the systemic drivers of domestic violence, such as housing instability and the specific risks faced by vulnerable populations over age 50. The data highlights a critical reliance on firearms, which were involved in a significant majority of these cases.
Official reports confirm 82 domestic violence deaths occurred across Wisconsin in 2025. Milwaukee County accounted for 42 of these domestic violence-related homicides during the same period.
The players
End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin
This organization functions as the statewide coalition against domestic violence and authored the annual homicide report.
The details
According to the annual report by End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin, men committed 86% of these homicides, while firearms were utilized in 72% of all incidents. Victims ranged in age from 2 months to 85 years old, with the demographic over age 50 representing 31% of the total.
Timeline
Domestic violence resulted in 33 deaths in 2004.
A record 99 domestic violence deaths were recorded in 2024.
The state saw 82 domestic violence deaths during 2025.
End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin released its annual homicide report on October 5, 2026.
Legal Context
This data follows a long-term pattern tracked by the End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin annual homicide report. Comparing 2025 figures to the 33 deaths recorded in 2004 provides a historical baseline for evaluating the effectiveness of current state intervention strategies.
The data underscores the persistent risks associated with domestic situations, emphasizing the need for community awareness regarding housing and financial support. Residents are encouraged to utilize available support networks if they or someone they know faces similar risks.
The takeaway
The reduction in total deaths compared to the 2024 record highlights potential progress in violence prevention efforts. However, the high prevalence of firearm involvement suggests that targeted safety measures remain essential for protecting high-risk individuals.
Further reading
For more information on safety resources, visit the Violence section.
More information
For access to help services, visit the Statewide domestic violence resource directory.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Journal Sentinel.
Live Poll
Should your community prioritize more housing resources to help protect domestic violence victims?
