What is Total Lifetime Economic Burden?​

Total Lifetime Economic Burden refers to an estimate of the overall economic costs associated with a specific condition, event, or issue calculated over the entire lifespan of the affected population. It is a number found by calculating the average prices of direct costs - such as medical bills and treatment expenses - and the average prices of indirect costs - such as loss of productivity and diminished income - experienced over the lifetime of a person and multiplying them by the estimated number of experiencers of that specific condition, event, or issue (1). In the context of Domestic Violence, this is the aggregate of the costs survivors might face over their lifetime due to their experience of abuse - such as medical bills, therapy costs, lost wages, or legal fees - throughout their life. In all, for the entire U.S. population, the total Lifetime Economic Burden cost for everyone affected by Domestic Violence adds up to $3.6 trillion, with an estimated lifetime cost of $103,767 per female survivor and $23,414 per male survivor (1).

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The calculation of Total Lifetime Economic Burden is valuable for policymakers and economists as it helps to assess the financial implications of societal challenges and guide long-term strategies for prevention and mitigation. Looking across one's lifetime makes it easier to find ways to manage costs, in contrast to looking at just a few costs.

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$2.1 Trillion in Medical Expenses ​

This estimated $2,100,000,000,000 cost in medical expenses accounts for 58.8% of the total Lifetime Economic Burden of Domestic Violence (1). This measurement is an accumulation of the prices for medical attention for physical assault, therapy, rape-related pregnancies, and other similar conditions (1). Marginally, or per person, the average lifetime medical expenses related to Domestic Violence costs $48,690; an average lifetime expense of $65,165 per female survivor and an average lifetime expense of $4,458 per male survivor (1).

 

Frequently, survivors of Domestic Violence often do not disclose to hospital staff that their medical condition is the result of abuse. This may be due to fear of retaliation from their abuser, a desire to protect the abuser, or other personal reasons. As a result, the estimated cost of $2.1 trillion in medical expenses can be considered an underestimate of the true cost.​​

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$1.3 Trillion in Productivity Loss​

Productivity is the ratio of inputs - such as labor and capital - to outputs - such as goods and services - in our economy. Increased productivity means our economy is more efficient. If that productivity is maintained, it leads to higher living standards, greater incomes, and improved access to goods and services. However, when productivity is hindered, the economy suffers. This results in costs to the economy through inefficiency and lost potential for our economy to be improved. Domestic Violence accounts for an estimated $1.3 trillion of productivity lost, meaning that our economy loses $1.3 trillion worth of contributions from individuals who are unable to fully participate in the workforce or educational opportunities due to their experience of abuse1. This is 37.4% of the total Lifetime Economic Burden of Domestic Violence (1).

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The average Lifetime Economic Burden for productivity loss marginally, or per person, is $30,156 (1). This includes things like time taken off for hospitalization, time off due to stress, or lost work or school days. It is reported that each day taken off from school or work is an estimated $1,063 loss in productivity for female survivors and an estimated $357 for male survivors (1). ​

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To expand on this loss of productivity survivors in the U.S. lose nearly 8 million paid workdays each year due to Domestic Violence (2). Additionally, almost 50% of employed survivors report experiencing harassment from their abusers in the workplace (3). Such ongoing disruptions not only reduce productivity but may also result in a removal from the work environment altogether. In fact, up to 60% of survivors lose their jobs for reasons directly tied to the abuse they experience (4). This strains businesses, as Domestic Violence can cause lower employee retention, increased absenteeism, and higher healthcare premiums. This loss in productivity also affects national economic growth, as survivors may face long-term financial instability, reducing their ability to contribute to the economy. ​

 

$76 Billion Loss from Criminal Justice Activities 

This $76,000,000,000 Lifetime Economic Burden includes criminal justice activities such as costs of arrests, corrections facilities for abusers, police protection costs, justice system spending on Domestic Violence-related activities, and other similar costs (1). All of these costs are included within state, federal, or local budget (1). Accounting for 2% of the total Lifetime Economic Burden of Domestic Violence, this $76,000,000,000 does not include Department of Justice funding for victims’ services, such as costs for transitional housing, or costs outside of federal, state or local budgets (1). Hence, it can be assumed that this cost is an underestimate of the actual total Lifetime Economic Burden of Domestic Violence.

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$62 Billion Loss from Other Costs

This $62,000,000,000 includes costs associated with criminal justice activities, medical costs,  and productivity, like property damage, that are not explicitly a part of the aforementioned categories (1). This measurement is imperfect, as it includes many indirect costs that are difficult to measure, like forced debt, Domestic Violence inflicted substance abuse, and halted education advancement, but marginally, it is predicted that the average Lifetime Economic Burden of this is $1,434; $1,161 for female survivors, and $2,168 for male survivors (1). This accounts for 1.7% of the total Lifetime Economic Burden of Domestic Violence (1). As this measure includes many hard-to-measure costs, it is also considered to be an underestimate.

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The Bottom Line

​This price breakdown highlights the immense toll Domestic Violence takes on individuals and society, yet the numbers presented are likely a significant underestimate of the true cost. A core issue regarding Domestic Violence is the difficulty it can take to speak up, many times survivors are afraid of retaliation from their abusers, fear that they won’t be believed, or are deeply ashamed of their situation. As a result, they may avoid disclosing the full extent of the abuse to medical professionals, law enforcement, or even close family members. This silence leads to underreporting, which affects the accuracy of data on both the prevalence of Domestic Violence and its associated economic costs. This is in addition to the lack of data collected on communities outside of heterosexual relationships and genders outside of women and men.

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Additionally, many indirect costs of Domestic Violence are hard to capture. For instance, the long-term psychological trauma survivors endure—such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD—can result in lifelong impacts on their ability to work, maintain relationships, and contribute fully to society. These ongoing challenges, along with potential disruptions to education, job loss, and housing instability, add layers of economic burden that are not always reflected in official statistics.

 

All of these hidden costs point to the fact that the true Lifetime Economic Burden of Domestic Violence is greater than what the numbers suggest. This makes it all the more urgent to invest in prevention, education, and robust support systems to help survivors come forward and receive the resources they need. Ultimately, addressing the underestimated financial and societal toll of Domestic Violence is not just about reducing costs—it’s about creating a society where everyone has the opportunity to live free from fear and harm.

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The Excluded Effects: Domestic Violence and the Children of Survivors

Children exposed to Domestic Violence also suffer long-lasting consequences that are both personal and economic. Research shows that these children may experience higher healthcare costs, engage in more criminal behavior, and have lower productivity in adulthood, resulting in an estimated $55 billion in societal costs (1).

 

Children witnessing Domestic Violence have been discovered to have lower IQs, exhibit more aggressive behavior, and have a higher chance of developing Anxiety, Depression, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms (5). This could be suggested to result in lower academic performance and higher dropout rates, which directly limit their future earning potential. These setbacks can significantly reduce a child´s chances of gaining higher-paying jobs or pursuing higher education.

 

The increased likelihood of developing Anxiety, Depression, and PTSD can further hinder their ability to succeed in the workforce, as mental health issues can often lead to lower productivity, absenteeism, and difficulty maintaining stable employment (6). These children may also require ongoing healthcare and mental health support, increasing societal healthcare costs.

 

Aggressive or delinquent behavior can lead to higher rates of incarceration, which not only diminishes their economic contributions but also imposes significant costs on the legal and correctional systems (6).

 

Overall, the economic toll of children exposed to Domestic Violence compounds over time, leading to a diminished workforce, increased public spending on health and social services, and perpetuation of intergenerational poverty and economic instability.

 

The Hidden Cycle: Economic Instability Worsens Domestic Violence

While Domestic Violence can occur to anyone, economic stress can increase the likelihood of abuse. Poverty, unemployment, and economic downturns are not the root causes of Domestic Violence, but they can exacerbate tensions in a home and make abuse more frequent and severe. According to a report from the National Institute of Justice, women in disadvantaged neighborhoods are more than twice as likely to experience Domestic Violence compared to women in more affluent areas (7). Economic strain makes it harder for survivors to leave abusive relationships, and the lack of resources can escalate violent situations. In fact, during economic recessions, shelters and Domestic Violence services report increased demand for help (8). A national survey found that 80% of shelters had seen a rise in women seeking support, with 73% of those shelters attributing the uptick to financial stress (8). Yet, even as the demand for these services grows, shelters and Domestic Violence programs often struggle with fewer resources due to funding cuts, making it difficult to meet the increased need for assistance.​​​​​

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