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Shaheen, Klobuchar Lead Colleagues in Calling for Funding for Violence Against Women Act Programs in Reconciliation Package

(Washington, DC) –U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Amy Klobuchar led nine of their Senate colleagues in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) urging him to include funding for Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) programs in the upcoming reconciliation package. The senators highlighted the importance of this funding in light of increased reports of domestic violence during the pandemic, particularly as VAWA programs have not received supplemental funding since the pandemic began, making it more difficult for service providers to respond to the increased need for crisis intervention, legal services, and transitional housing.

“As the country reopens, more evidence has emerged that the pandemic caused the rates and severity of incidents of domestic violence to increase across the country. Social isolation, economic uncertainty, and general anxiety about the virus added layers of stress for many families and increased the risk of intimate partner violence,” the senators wrote.

They continued: “Through the Department of Justice, the federal government provides critical support for programs that are particularly needed at this time, including support for sexual assault service providers, law enforcement, and transitional housing programs, as well as for organizations that address the needs of communities of color and underserved populations.”

Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie Hirono, (D-HI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) signed the letter.

The letter is supported by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, National Network to End Domestic Violence, Jewish Women International, National Domestic Violence Hotline, Tahirih Justice Center, National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, Black Women's Blueprint, and Casa de Esperanza: National Latin@ Network.

Full text of the letter can be found HERE and below.

Dear Leader Schumer:

We write to urge you to include funding in the upcoming reconciliation package to support programs at the Department of Justice that provide services for victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. At a time when incidents of domestic violence and sexual assault have sharply increased, additional funding for these programs is critical.

As the country reopens, more evidence has emerged that the pandemic caused the rates and severity of incidents of domestic violence to increase across the country. Social isolation, economic uncertainty, and general anxiety about the virus added layers of stress for many families and increased the risk of intimate partner violence. During the pandemic, reports suggested that abusers were using COVID-19 to isolate their victims, withhold financial resources, and refuse medical aid. Service providers struggled to meet the need for services including crisis intervention, shelter and transitional housing, and legal assistance.

Like many of the consequences of the pandemic, this strain on resources has disproportionately impacted traditionally underserved populations, such as Black and Latino communities, rural communities, and Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, and American Indian communities.

Through the Department of Justice, the federal government provides critical support for programs that are particularly needed at this time, including support for sexual assault service providers, law enforcement, and transitional housing programs, as well as for organizations that address the needs of communities of color and underserved populations.

Since the pandemic began, however, Congress has yet to provide supplemental funding to programs at the Department of Justice. Although the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the relief package that passed with the Consolidated Appropriations Act last December provided funding for programs authorized by the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, neither included funding for sexual assault or domestic violence-related programs at the Justice Department. The American Rescue Plan Act also did not include funds for Justice Department programs.

Therefore, we respectfully request that the upcoming reconciliation package include the following:

  • At least $100 million for the Sexual Assault Service Program;
  • At least $100 million for VAWA STOP Grants for victim service providers, with at least 20 percent of the funding for eligible entities under 34 U.S.C. § 20124(c) and equitable distribution of funding between services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault; 
  • $15 million for grants to support families in the justice system;
  • $15 million to support the Disability Grant Program;
  • $20 million for rural domestic violence and child abuse enforcement assistance grants;
  • $25 million for culturally specific services for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking;
  • $50 million for Victims of Child Abuse Act grants;
  • $50 million for grants to Tribal governments, Tribal coalitions, Tribal non-profit organizations, and Tribal organizations that serve Native victims;
  • At least $25 million for Grants for Outreach and Services to Underserved Populations; and,
  • At least $40 million to VAWA Transitional Housing Assistance Grants.

Thank you for your attention to this critical matter and your consideration of this request.

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