*Kalamazoo, Michigan* — Intimate partner strangulation cases in Kalamazoo County tripled in the first three months of 2026 compared to the same period last year. Three domestic violence homicides have already been recorded this quarter. That total exceeds the entire count for all of 2025.

Advocates, law enforcement, and prosecutors held a press conference Tuesday at YWCA Kalamazoo to present the data and warn that proposed state budget cuts could cripple victim services just as violence escalates.

The numbers behind the crisis

According to data released by YWCA Kalamazoo, the first quarter of 2026 showed dramatic increases across every major indicator of severe domestic violence:

  • Strangulation reports jumped from 20 cases in the first quarter of 2025 to 63 cases in the first quarter of 2026, a 215% increase
  • Homelessness tied to domestic violence rose from 63 people in early 2025 to 149 people in early 2026, a 137% increase
  • Domestic violence-related hospitalizations climbed from 86 survivors in early 2025 to 113 in early 2026, a 31% increase
  • Domestic violence homicides reached three in just the first quarter of 2026, surpassing the two homicides recorded in all of 2025

Bronson Methodist Hospital also reported a 167% increase in strangulations treated in its emergency department when comparing 2024 to 2025 data, according to YWCA Kalamazoo CEO Susan Rosas.

"Strangulation is the greatest predictor we have of homicide in the domestic violence realm. If your partner has strangled you in the past, your risk of being killed by them is 10 times higher," Rosas said.

A regional problem

The surge is not limited to Kalamazoo. Dr. Nikia Belcher, vice president of crisis services and community programs with YWCA West Central Michigan, said Grand Rapids recorded five domestic violence homicides in January and February alone. One case involved a mother and her two sons.

Kent County also recorded a 32% increase in requests for forensic examination after an assault, Belcher said.

"It is just not a Kalamazoo thing. It is an all over thing," Belcher said. "I think it is a great thing that we can partner with our sister agencies to be able to serve survivors more, quicker, faster."

Law enforcement and prosecutors respond

Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Chief David Boysen said many domestic violence cases go unreported because victims depend financially on their abusers or fear the consequences of seeking help.

"A lot of times your spouse might be the breadwinner, and you don't want them to necessarily go to jail or be in trouble and so, you just suffer," Boysen said.

Boysen said the KDPS high-risk domestic violence team has issued 50 referrals to YWCA partners so far this year. More than 85% of the 142 referrals made in 2025 resulted in survivors using services, he said.

Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeff Getting said his office authorized 244 domestic violence misdemeanor cases and 35 felony cases in the first quarter of 2026, up from 212 misdemeanors and 33 felonies during the same period in 2025.

"This is real. These are real people who are in violent relationships and we need to do everything we can in order to be able to help those survivors," Getting said.

Assistant Kalamazoo County Prosecuting Attorney Holly Thompson said economic instability is a major driver behind the increase in severe cases.

"Economic factors are a huge factor. People are struggling economically right now," Thompson said.

She said housing instability, limited access to medical care, and communication barriers can prevent victims from getting help before violence escalates.

Funding cuts threaten services

Advocates say the current state budget proposal would cut victim service funding by 25% beginning in October. Rosas warned that many organizations across Michigan could fold under such a reduction.

"A 25% reduction in services at a time that strangulation and homicides are spiking," Rosas said. "Many organizations across the state will fold with such a cut."

Rosas urged state lawmakers to increase the Crime Victims' Rights Sustaining Fund by $45 million to maintain existing services statewide.

"We've only got three weeks before these budget decisions are made in the legislature, and we need our communities to act and let legislators know we want to protect survivors," Rosas said.

Services available

YWCA Kalamazoo said it will continue services regardless of funding cuts and urged anyone experiencing domestic violence to reach out.

  • YWCA Kalamazoo crisis line: 269-385-3587
  • YWCA West Central Michigan crisis line: 616-454-9922

"If someone is hurting you, there is help here, 24/7," Rosas said. "We will never ask your immigration status. We will honor all that makes you, you."