Press Release: State Representative Allie-Brennan: Domestic Violence Must Be Connecticut’s Next Public Safety Priority
Bailey, Samantha
For IMMEDIATE Release Contact: Samantha Bailey
Tuesday, July 28, 2026 samanth...@cga.ct.gov, 860-240-8565
State Representative Allie-Brennan: Domestic Violence Must Be Connecticut’s Next Public Safety Priority
HARTFORD, CT — State Representative Raghib Allie-Brennan (D–Bethel, Danbury), author of Special Act 26-8, released the following statement in response to the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection’s 2025 Crime in Connecticut and Domestic and Family Violence reports.
“Connecticut has made meaningful progress in reducing crime. According to DESPP’s 2025 Crime in Connecticut report, crimes against persons declined 7.4%, aggravated assaults fell 20.6%, reported rapes decreased 20%, and homicides have continued their downward trend since 2021. Those are encouraging trends and reflect years of work by law enforcement, community organizations, and policymakers.
“But one statistic should stop every policymaker in their tracks: nearly one-third of all homicides in Connecticut in 2025 were related to domestic violence.
“That statistic does not necessarily mean domestic violence is increasing. It tells us something equally important: while Connecticut has made significant progress reducing many other forms of violent crime, domestic violence has remained a persistent cause of lethal violence. If we want to continue making our communities safer, we cannot ignore the violence happening behind closed doors.
“For too long, domestic violence has been viewed primarily as a private family matter. It is not. It is one of Connecticut’s most pressing public safety issues.
“Every domestic violence homicide represents a point where our system was unable to prevent a tragedy. Whether the answer is earlier intervention, stronger coordination, improved data, expanded victim services, or changes in the law, we have a responsibility to ask difficult questions and act on the answers.
“That is why I introduced Special Act 26-8 this year. Working alongside Emily Todd’s family, survivors, advocates, prosecutors, law enforcement, and colleagues on both sides of the aisle, we took the first step toward creating a uniform domestic violence case identification system so Connecticut can better understand how cases move through the criminal justice system, identify systemic gaps, and make smarter policy decisions.
“This legislation was never intended to be the finish line. It is the foundation. Better data alone will not save lives, but better data leads to better policy, and better policy saves lives.
“Connecticut has demonstrated that thoughtful investments can reduce crime. Now we must bring that same urgency, collaboration, and commitment to addressing domestic violence. If nearly one-third of the homicides in our state are connected to domestic violence, then domestic violence must become one of Connecticut’s foremost public safety priorities.”
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Samantha Bailey (She/Her/Hers)
Press Aide | Connecticut House Democrats
Cell: (860) 559-4540
Office: (860) 240-8565
Contact for: Rep. Raghib Allie-Brennan | Rep. Andre Baker | Rep. Patrick Boyd | Rep. Eilish Collins Main | Rep. Dave DeFronzo | Rep. Hubert Delany | Rep. Geoff Luxenberg | Rep. Kara Rochelle |Rep. Iris Sanchez | Rep. Kaitlyn Shake
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