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NNEDV Commends House Introduction of Critical Bill to Protect Victims of Domestic Violence

June 6, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Washington, DC – The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) commends Representatives Glenn Thompson (R-PA), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), and Gwen Moore (D-WI) for introducing H.R.6014, the bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA). This bill would ensure domestic violence victims continue to receive the essential support necessary to flee abuse and rebuild their lives.

Reauthorizing FVPSA is a top priority for NNEDV, which represents the 56 state and territorial coalitions against domestic violence. Shelters and other domestic violence programs across the country rely on FVPSA funding to deliver essential services to victims of domestic violence. FVPSA is at the heart of our nation’s response to domestic violence. Each year, FVPSA ensures that 1.3 million victims and their children have access to safe housing, safety planning, counseling, and advocacy services.

“When victims and their children are forced to escape from their homes, FVPSA is there for them. As the only federal funding solely dedicated to supporting survivors of domestic violence, FVPSA allows communities to provide victims with a safe place to go and the services they need in times of crisis,” said Kim Gandy, NNEDV President & CEO.

Each year, NNEDV conducts a 24-hour Domestic Violence Counts survey, which provides an in-depth look at our nation’s domestic violence shelters and services. The 12th Annual Domestic Violence Counts Report found that despite the lifesaving work that domestic violence shelters and programs provide every day, an alarming number of survivors cannot access services they so desperately need due to a lack of funding.

The report revealed that, in just one day, 72,245 victims of domestic violence received services; however, 11,441 requests for services went unmet due to a lack of resources. Of those unmet requests, 65% were for safe housing.

“A lack of funding should never stand in the way of survivors in need of safety and support. The bipartisan reauthorization bill would ensure that victims and their children continue to have access to the lifesaving services FVPSA provides,” said Gandy. “We applaud the leadership of Representatives Thompson, Blunt Rochester, Stefanik, and Moore for introducing this legislation and urge its swift passage.”

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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.