U.S. Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV) has introduced bipartisan legislation to continue government aid for America’s victims of domestic violence and their children.
S. 2784, which Sen. Heller introduced on April 26, would reauthorize the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA), the primary federal funding stream dedicated to the support of emergency shelter and related assistance for domestic violence victims and their children. Joining Sen. Heller as the four original cosponsors of S. 2784 are U.S. Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX), Bob Casey (D-PA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Christopher Coons (D-DE).
“Sadly, my home state of Nevada has one of the highest rates of domestic violence-related homicides,” Sen. Heller said on April 30. “We cannot stand by and allow these numbers to remain the same. We must act to prevent these tragedies.”
Enacted in 1984, the FVPSA is overseen by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Family and Youth Services Bureau, which allocates FVPSA formula grants to states, territories and tribes, state domestic violence coalitions, and national and special-issue resource centers, according to HHS.
Funds are used to provide support services — such as shelter, counseling and legal assistance, among others — and prevention programs, including 24-hour victim assistance through the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1−800−799−7233), which is staffed by trained advocates, who also offer victims of relationship abuse assistance online at: http://www.thehotline.org/.
“As a strong advocate for the victim assistance, victims’ rights, and safeguarding all Nevadans, I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan bill to fund life-saving programs to help victims and their dependents escape abuse,” said Sen. Heller. “Congress can stand up for victims and against domestic violence by passing our bipartisan legislation.”
Esta Soler, president and founder of Futures Without Violence, thanked the lawmakers for introducing S. 2784 to reauthorize the FVPSA, which she called “the backbone of the nation’s response to domestic violence.”
“Due to recent funding increases, FVPSA also now can better meet the needs of children who are in shelters or are witnessing domestic violence in their homes,” Soler said. “This program is essential to breaking the often intergenerational cycle of violence and abuse.”
U.S. President Donald Trump’s fiscal year 2019 proposed budget includes $151 million for the FVPSA and $8.25 million for the National Domestic Violence Hotline, according to a chart from the National Network to End Domestic Violence. The Administration for Children and Families has requested $175 million for the FVPSA and $9.25 million to maintain and increase capacity of the National Domestic Violence Hotline, fund a tribal domestic violence hotline and other hotline-related projects, the chart showed.
“Programs across the country depend on FVPSA funding to serve over 1.3 million victims a year,” said Kim Gandy, president and CEO of the National Network to End Domestic Violence, which she said “staunchly advocates” for full funding in the reauthorization of the FVPSA.
Saying domestic violence has no place in American society, Sen. Casey added that lawmakers “owe it to survivors to ensure that they have the resources they need.” He urged ‘colleagues to support swift passage of this reauthorization” to continue effectively supporting these victims.
S. 2784 also will help victims of domestic violence to heal via increased access to safe havens and support services, added Sen. Grassley. “A home should provide safety and security. Unfortunately, too many Americans face violence and intimidation at home, and carry the physical and emotional scars for years to come,” he said.
“A vital part in combating domestic violence is ensuring that survivors have all the services necessary to heal and recover,” agreed Sen. Coons. “It’s up to all of us to educate, advocate and work together and ensure that no woman, man, or child has to live in fear.”
S. 2784 has been referred to the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee for consideration.