Content
Family Violence Prevention & Services Act
Issue Overview
The Family Violence Prevention and Service Act (FVPSA) supports the life-saving emergency shelters, crisis lines, counseling, victim assistance, and programs for underserved communities provided by local domestic violence programs.
FVPSA was enacted by Congress in 1984 in order to address public awareness and prevention of family violence and provide services for victims and their dependents. For over two decades, these programs have been the heart of our nation's response to domestic violence.
FVPSA supports services provided by the more than 2,000 community-based domestic violence programs nationwide. Over the past 30 years, shelters and local programs have evolved to provide a wide spectrum of residential and nonresidential services, which can include: shelter or transitional housing; safety planning; counseling; legal services; child care and services for children; career planning; lifeskills training; community education and public awareness; and other necessities such as clothing, food, and transportation.
Yet shelters overwhelmingly report that they cannot fulfill the growing need for these services. The National Census for Domestic Violence Services found that on one day in 2007, over 53,000 women, men and children received services at over 1,340 domestic violence programs nationwide. Yet, on that same day, 7,707 requests for services went unmet due to a lack of resources.
Legislative Action
FVPSA is critical to ensuring that communities can respond with services to help victims and families fleeing abuse, yet the funding does not meet the need for services. In the FY 2008 Congressional Budget, FVPSA Programs/Shelters were cut by $2.1 million to $122.6 - $52.5 million below the authorized level of $175 million. With funding of over $130 million, FVPSA can also provide services to children. To prevent homicides and intervene early in the lives of children, Congress must fully fund FVPSA in the FY 2009 Congressional Budget to help local programs respond to the increasing demand for services.
- Learn more about funding for FVPSA and other federal domestic violence programs.
In addition, FVPSA expires this year threatening to halt the progress that has been made to end domestic violence and endanger the lives of thousands of victims and families that come forward for help each day. Congress must pass legislation to reauthorize FVPSA in order to ensure that communities can continue to support victims and families escaping abuse.
What You Can Do To Help
Congress needs to hear from constituents like you about how FVPSA is helping victims and families in your community.
- Learn more about how you can urge Congress to provide full funding for FVPSA in the FY 2009 budget!