U.S. House Passes Lifesaving Legislation for Domestic Violence Victims

U.S. House Passes Lifesaving Legislation for Domestic Violence Victims

DECEMBER 08, 2010





NNEDV and victim advocates across the nation applaud the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the bill to reauthorize the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVSPA) as part of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA). Now heading for the Senate, this bill authorizes a vital federal investment in domestic violence shelters.



“The Family Violence Prevention and Services Act is a fundamental part of our nation’s response to domestic violence, providing lifesaving services to victims of domestic violence and their children. The House of Representatives’ work is a critical step toward ensuring that local domestic violence programs can continue to prevent future violence and provide safe places for victims to rebuild their lives free from abuse,” said Sue Else, president of NNEDV.



NNEDV commends Representative George Miller (D-CA) and his dedicated colleagues on the Education and Labor Committee, especially Representatives John Kline (R-MN), Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), and Todd Platts (R-PA). Additionally, NNEDV recognizes the essential leadership of Representative Gwen Moore (D-WI), who authored an earlier version of the bill and advocated staunchly for its passage. Finally, NNEDV applauds Representatives Aaron Schock (R-IL), Judy Biggert (R-IL) and Gregorio Sablan (D-MP) and the more than 120 Representatives who co-sponsored Moore’s bill.



”Victim advocates across the nation are grateful for the leadership of these Congressional champions for survivors of abuse. We thank these Members of Congress for taking a stand against domestic violence,” said Else. “We look forward to the final passage in Senate and President Obama’s signature.”



FVPSA is the only dedicated federal funding source for domestic violence shelters and services. For 25 years, FVPSA-funded programs have been supporting emergency shelters, crisis hotlines, counseling services, victim assistance initiatives and programs for underserved communities. The bill expired in 2008. The new bill builds upon FVPSA’s core strengths and includes critical improvements that will allow more victims to receive the services they desperately need. Additionally, the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) improves services for both victims of child abuse and families that are experiencing domestic violence and child maltreatment.



There are more than 2,000 community-based domestic violence programs providing emergency shelter to approximately 300,000 victims and their children every year.  Local domestic violence programs also provide non-residential services such as counseling, legal assistance and prevention education to millions of men, women, and children each year.

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