Ohio has been rocked by the tragic news that the state has experienced its most lethal year on record for domestic violence homicides, according to a stunning new report from the Ohio Domestic Violence Network, or ODVN.
The report, covering the year that ended on June 30, 2025, documented 157 domestic violence fatalities, marking a dramatic and deeply troubling trend. This is the highest number of lives lost since the ODVN began compiling its annual fatality count and represents a massive 37 percent jump over the 114 fatalities recorded in the previous 12-month period.
A Deadly Combination: Anger and Access to Firearms
The rise in fatalities is inexorably linked to a surge in gun use. The data reveals a terrifying picture where firearms were the weapon of choice in a staggering 84 percent of the 157 deaths. This statistic underscores what advocates have long feared: when anger and access to guns collide in a domestic situation, the results are almost always fatal.
“This was a tremendously lethal year for domestic violence in Ohio, with both the number of fatalities from intimate partner violence and the number of fatal cases rising dramatically,” said Lisa DeGeeter, Esq., Senior Director of Policy and Prevention at the Ohio Domestic Violence Network. DeGeeter also noted that attackers are increasingly acting “more aggressively and more quickly.”
The Human Toll of the Crisis
The 157 fatalities in the report include both victims and perpetrators, the latter often by suicide. Of the total, 95 were primary victims. Sixty-one of the primary victims were women, while 13 were men, reflecting the pervasive danger to female partners. Compounding the tragedy, more than half, or 56 percent, of the primary victims were people of color.
The sheer desperation and violence surrounding separations are another heartbreaking trend. More than a third of the cases involved murder-suicides. Advocates also noted that in 69 percent of the cases, the victims had been involved with the civil or criminal justice systems, including custody or divorce proceedings. The danger is highest when a victim attempts to leave a relationship, with some killed immediately after filing for a protection order or divorce.
Furthermore, the crisis is placing an immense strain on resources. Local shelters and agencies report that demand for services is up, but resources are stretched thin. Factors like a lack of affordable housing and economic barriers often force survivors to remain in dangerous situations, keeping them in harm’s way.
Looking for Solutions
The ODVN and its partners are now working with state lawmakers to address this lethal uptick. “The data tells a devastating story,” said Maria York, Policy Director with ODVN. “By working with policymakers, community leaders, and survivors themselves, we can work to prevent these tragedies.” There has been some recent legislative movement, including the signing of a new law in late 2024 that bans the non-consensual use of electronic tracking devices, such as AirTags, a tool often used by abusers for tech-enabled control.
As the state grapples with this shocking new data, advocates stress that reversing the trend will require a unified, team effort to ensure safety and justice for all survivors.
