A new comprehensive statewide survey conducted by the University of California San Diego sheds light on a profound link between economic instability and elevated rates of violence among adults in California. The 2025 California Violence Experiences Survey (CalVEX) uncovers disturbing correlations between economic hardships—including job loss, food insecurity, eviction, and homelessness—and the prevalence of physical, sexual, and intimate partner violence. This research offers unprecedented insights into the lived realities of Californians, highlighting violence forms that often elude traditional reporting mechanisms, thereby filling critical gaps in public health and social science understanding.
The CalVEX survey, which gathered data from a robust sample of over 4,000 adults across California in May and June 2025, reveals that economic shocks exponentially increase vulnerability to violence. For instance, individuals who experienced homelessness reported physical violence at a rate nearly five times higher than those in stable housing. Similarly, food insecurity was linked with a quadrupling of physical violence occurrences. These statistically significant increases extend to sexual and intimate partner violence as well, with sexual assault victims making up 16% versus 7% among food secure populations, and intimate partner violence affecting 15% compared to 4%.
Jakana Thomas, co-principal investigator of CalVEX and MacArthur Foundation Chair at UC San Diego, emphasizes that violence should not be viewed in isolation from economic and social conditions. Her work underscores the critical importance of stable housing and food security as foundational elements for personal safety. Thomas notes that violence is deeply entwined with a person’s ability to meet basic needs, suggesting a direct causal pathway between economic precarity and increased violence exposure. This finding challenges policymakers to rethink violence prevention strategies beyond conventional approaches focusing solely on individual behavior.
The sheer scale of violence in California remains alarming. Over half of the adult population has experienced physical violence at some point in their lives, with approximately 7%—more than 2 million adults—reporting incidents within the past year alone. These data demonstrate that despite ongoing prevention efforts, violence remains pervasive, underlining the urgency for multifaceted interventions that address both symptomatic violence and its root causes related to economic instability.
Gender-based violence emerges as a persistent and critical concern within the CalVEX findings. Approximately 1 in 11 Californians endured sexual violence in the preceding year, while 1 in 17 reported intimate partner violence. Strikingly, gender non-conforming individuals experienced the highest incidence rates, with nearly half (49%) reporting sexual violence annually. This disproportionate impact signals a compounded vulnerability among marginalized groups and highlights the need for tailored prevention and support programs that address intersectionality in violence experiences.
From a public health perspective, the implications of these findings are vast and troubling. Individuals who endured violence in the last year were markedly more likely to struggle with depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and substance abuse. This association underlines the complex bi-directional relationship between violence exposure and mental health outcomes, suggesting that economic instability not only fuels violence but also exacerbates its long-term consequences on individual well-being and community health.
Anita Raj, co-investigator and executive director of the Newcomb Institute at Tulane University, advocates for a holistic public health approach to violence prevention. She stresses that addressing violence requires comprehensive strategies that recognize the interplay between economic conditions and social environments. Such an approach transcends the narrow confines of individual-level interventions and calls for societal-level policies to mitigate housing insecurity, food scarcity, and unemployment as upstream determinants of violence.
The CalVEX report also highlights significant methodological advancements in violence research. By employing a statewide representative sample and incorporating measures of underreported violence, the study provides a far more accurate assessment of the prevalence and distribution of violence than official crime statistics typically capture. This methodological rigor enhances the reliability of findings and sets a benchmark for future research aiming to unravel the complex dynamics between economic status and victimization.
Funding support from the Blue Shield of California Foundation, in collaboration with public health agencies and advocacy groups such as Valor and Raliance, underscores the interdisciplinary commitment to tackling violence through evidence-based policy initiatives. The collaboration between academic institutions and community organizations points towards scalable models for translating research findings into practical prevention frameworks that prioritize economic stability as a violence reduction strategy.
Upcoming initiatives include a nationally representative survey on violence expected to be released later this year, which will build upon CalVEX’s foundation by examining patterns across the United States. Additionally, a webinar hosted by Valor featuring key investigators Jakana Thomas and Anita Raj will further disseminate the groundbreaking results while fostering dialogue on multi-sectoral responses to violence in public health contexts.
Despite increased investment in violence prevention programs, the persistence of violence revealed by CalVEX signals a need for innovative, structural solutions aimed at alleviating economic precarity. Policymakers and practitioners must consider integrated approaches that encompass social safety nets, affordable housing programs, and food security initiatives as essential components in reducing violence and improving health outcomes.
In summary, the 2025 CalVEX survey delivers vital empirical evidence linking economic instability to increased risk of violence in California. Its expansive data set not only captures disturbing current prevalence rates but also points to the systemic socioeconomic drivers that perpetuate violence. Addressing these foundational issues is imperative if meaningful progress is to be made in ensuring safety, equity, and well-being for all Californians.
Subject of Research: People
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