NNEDV Celebrates Launch of National Plan to End Gender-Based Violence
May 25, 2023
The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) praises the Biden administration for launching the United States’ first National Plan to End Gender-Based Violence: Strategies for Action. The groundbreaking National Plan is a coordinated, comprehensive, whole-of-government approach to preventing and addressing sexual violence, intimate partner violence, stalking, and other forms of gender-based violence.
The National Plan is being launched at a time when survivors’ needs are at an all-time high and are outpacing the capacity of domestic violence shelters and direct service providers. NNEDV’s 17th Annual Domestic Violence Counts Report found that, on September 7, 2022, 79,335 adult and child victims of domestic violence received lifesaving services. On that same day, tragically, local programs were unable to meet 12,692 requests for services because they lacked sufficient resources. Survivors need holistic, lasting policies to prevent and end violence. Communities and programs need policy changes and financial resources to make sure no one seeking safety and support is denied the help they need.
The National Plan’s focus on prevention, economic security and housing stability, support, healing, and well-being, online safety, legal and justice systems, and emergency preparedness and crisis response is the comprehensive approach required to meet the immediate and long-term needs of survivors and communities. Additionally, the National Plan’s intersectional, rights-based approach acknowledges gender-based violence is a form of discrimination and a manifestation of unequal power relations that disproportionately impacts historically marginalized survivors, including those who are Black, Indigenous, People of Color, LGBTQ+, and people with disabilities.
NNEDV applauds President Biden for his unyielding leadership and commitment to addressing the needs of survivors of gender-based violence. The Biden-Harris Administration, including the White House Gender Policy Council and federal agencies, have engaged in a years-long effort to develop and launch this historic strategic plan. For many years, the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA), the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) have guided and shaped the federal government’s role in advancing safety and justice for survivors. The coordinated, whole-of-government approach in the National Plan will build on these laws and funding to holistically and strategically address gender-based violence.
NNEDV played a critical role as a thought leader, contributor, and coordinator of U.S. civil society efforts in the development of the National Plan. On December 10, 2021, NNEDV organized and led a Civil Society Forum, co-hosted by over 25 organizations, highlighting key themes and recommendations that emerged over 20 listening sessions with over 2,000 advocates and survivors to the White House Gender Policy Council and federal partners. NNEDV will continue to play a leadership role in the implementation of the National Plan, engage our membership of the 56 state and U.S. territorial coalitions against domestic violence, and partner with national organizations to expand to a whole-of-society approach.