National Domestic Violence Hotline Welcomes Committee Vote on FVPSA, Urges Bipartisan Support of Survivors

For Immediate Release: July 21, 2021

AUSTIN — On July 15, the House Committee on Education and Labor voted to advance the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act reauthorization bill, which last expired in 2015. If enacted, the Family Violence and Prevention Services Improvement Act of 2021 would modernize and increase funding authorization levels to support more survivors of domestic violence, the programs that serve them, and bolster domestic violence prevention efforts.

“Increasing funding, expanding grant programs, investing in prevention, and making needed improvements to ensure more survivors have access to support and safety in the Family Violence Prevention and Services Program (FVPSA) is crucial,” said Katie Ray-Jones, CEO of the National Domestic Violence Hotline (The Hotline). “FVPSA has been historically underfunded, leaving programs overburdened and under-resourced. This bill dedicates more resources for culturally responsive services expands support resources, such as emergency shelters and technical assistance, and increases overall funding that will allow programs across the country to better meet the needs of survivors

“The Hotline and other service providers need the enhancements in this bill to ensure we can help more survivors, in a variety of settings. We hope to see bipartisan support for the funding and increased types of services that survivors of domestic violence and their families need to reclaim safety.”

Since 1984, FVPSA has remained at the core of our nation’s response to domestic violence. The reauthorization will expand critical funding for shelters, support services for survivors and 24-hour domestic violence hotlines. This bill also contains many vital improvements that ensure more survivors have access to support and safety in ways that are culturally appropriate and responsive.

Swift bipartisan passage in both chambers is crucial, and The Hotline calls on members of Congress to work together in support of survivors. The Hotline looks forward to seeing FVPSA reauthorized and ensuring all survivors have what they need to be safe.

###

The National Domestic Violence Hotline envisions a world where all relationships are positive, healthy, and free from violence. If you or someone you know needs help call The Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, text the word “Start” to 88788, or visit thehotline.org.