Massachusetts’ overburdened shelter system reached capacity earlier this month, causing a shortage of shelters and negatively impacting Boston’s vital domestic violence support network. 

Domestic violence cases are prevalent in the Bay State. According to the National Network To End Domestic Violence, Massachusetts has the seventh-highest number of domestic violence victims in the country. On a single survey day in 2022, the network found that support services served an average of 1,868 victims. Given the risk associated with reporting an incident, which often prevents victims from coming forward, the real statistic may be even higher.

Reviewing the past five years, the number of victims has remained around 1,850. However, the actual number may be higher, as there are victims who are not on the record because they chose to be silent. 

In Boston specifically, the number of domestic violence victims is also high. According to Casa Myrna, the largest domestic violence organization in Boston, they serve over 2,200 people every year and 1,923 survivors in 2021 benefitted from its legal advocacy support. 

However, an annual report published by Casa Myrna in 2021 indicates only 168 survivors including 117 adults and 51 children went to their residential shelters. Although many victims prefer to stay at home and may not need to go to shelters, Marc Davino, the director of development and communication of Casa Myrna, believes the shortage of shelters is a reason why the number is low. 

“There is a significant shortage of domestic violence, shelter beds. I am not sure if the number is accurate but there is a number like 180 (beds). It's across the entire state of Massachusetts for domestic violence survivors.  [Some people] stay at home and feel safer, ” Marc Davino, the director of development and communication of Casa Myrna,  said. “Their children are where they belong.it is not just one reason, but I know the shortage of beds is a reason.”

According to the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security in Massachusetts, nine domestic violence programs provide housing service in greater Boston. 

Lack of resources and funding are the two main reasons for the shortage. “My guess [the shortage] is [because of] funding and resources.In this case, state officials ultimately decide where dollars go on. They're hard to come by sometimes,” Davino said. 

According to the Violence Prevention, Intervention, and Recovery Fund FY 22 released by the City of Boston, among the total fund of $2,613,000 distributed to related organizations, only $144,991.97 went to organizations specifically dedicated to domestic violence prevention, and $125,000 went to organizations that have domestic violence departments.

Although Healey said she is “very concerned” about families who are waiting for shelters, without enough funding and resources, the potential survivors may continually suffer from the shortage. 

After three weeks, Healey said that the shelter system would reach its capacity. Last Wednesday, the Massachusetts House lawmakers approved a $2.8 billion supplemental budget that includes $250 million for emergency housing in general. 

While facing the shortage of shelters, organizations like Casa Myrna provide different kinds of services and advocacies, especially in the Domestic Violence Awareness Month. They provide multilingual services, financial assistance and help victims to gain job readiness skills 

“For the month of October we do weekly E blasts with relevant information pertaining to domestic violence events and usage and beyond,” Davino said. “For instance, this year we have done several survivor interviews, including of a member of staff who also identifies as a survivor. We are heavily involved in community events and tabling events, so we have programs going out to the community, spreading awareness.”