NNEDV Applauds Congressional Efforts to Protect Domestic Violence Survivors

December 11, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: NNEDV Communications Team (Communications@NNEDV.org)

Washington, DC – The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for their efforts to work across the aisle in order to protect millions of survivors of domestic violence and their children. Today, the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act, H.B. 8061 (CVFS Act) achieved a striking milestone with the bipartisan support of over 200 Members. The CVFS Act will redirect excess, unobligated funds from the False Claims Act (FCA) into the Crime Victims Fund (CVF) in order to avert catastrophic cuts to domestic violence programs across the country. NNEDV urges Congress to pass the CVFS Act before the end of the year.

The CVF provides Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grants to state, territorial, and local programs that provide lifesaving services to over six million victims of all types of crimes annually through almost 6,500 direct service organizations, such as domestic violence shelters, rape crisis centers, and child abuse treatment programs. Deposits to the CVF began shrinking considerably in the past few years. From FY23 to FY24, funds were reduced by around $600 million, causing an average 40% cut to state and territorial victim assistance grants.

“As the national membership organization representing the 56 state and U.S. territorial coalitions against domestic violence, their over 2,000 local domestic violence programs, and the millions of survivors they serve every year, we hear of the devastating impacts VOCA cuts are having on victim services across the country, in every community. Year after year of compounding cuts is forcing victim service programs to reduce or eliminate services, lay off staff, and, in some cases, close their doors. Every state is having to grapple with VOCA cuts that are jeopardizing victim services and putting survivors in grave danger,” said Stephanie Love-Patterson, President & CEO.

To address this crisis, Representatives Ann Wagner (R-MO), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Stephanie Bice (R-OK), Jim Costa (D-CA), and Nathaniel Moran (R-TX), and Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act (H.R. 8061/S.4514). The bill would temporarily redirect excess, unobligated funds from the False Claims Act to the CVF while ensuring payments to whistleblowers and defrauded government agencies will not be affected.

This temporary infusion of resources will help stabilize the CVF and give victim assistance programs the support necessary to keep their doors open to provide lifesaving services to survivors. Congress must pass the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act before the end of the year.

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The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) represents the 56 state and U.S. territorial coalitions against domestic violence. NNEDV is a social change organization working to create a social, political, and economic environment in which domestic violence no longer exists. NNEDV works to make domestic violence a national priority, change the way society responds to domestic violence, and strengthen domestic violence advocacy at every level.