The Hotline Celebrates FVPSA Re-Authorization Legislation in the 118th Congress

For Immediate Release on April 13, 2023

Washington, D.C. – The National Domestic Violence Hotline (The Hotline) celebrates the introduction of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Re-Authorization Act (FVPSA) in the 118th Congress. We extend our deepest gratitude to Representatives McBath, Moore, Fitzpatrick, and Young Kim for their unwavering dedication to survivors of domestic violence and ensuring essential support and services for their safety. This bill reflects the evolving needs of survivors and provides for additional critical programs that also need support through FVPSA’s critical network of resources.

This re-authorization comes at a crucial time with increasing demand for services across the US, and many survivors experiencing more frequent and severe abuse. In 2022, The Hotline received 25% more incoming calls, chats, and texts than in 2021— an average of 95,877 per month and more than ever before in their 27-year history. Survivors citing homelessness and housing instability also increased at alarming rates – an 114% and 47% increase from the previous year, respectively.

FVPSA Re-Authorization will help ensure that critical resources are available to those who need them the most, including funding for shelters, hotlines, and other critical services for survivors. The bill also contains essential provisions for coalitions, training and technical assistance centers, children’s services, and prevention initiatives. FVPSA provides core funding to support more than 1,500 local, public, private, nonprofit, and faith-based organizations and programs, as well as over 250 tribes and tribal organizations in responding to the urgent needs of over 1.3 million domestic violence survivors and their children.

“At The Hotline, we know firsthand the importance that FVPSA has on the lives of survivors seeking support and safety. In many cases services provided through FVPSA funded organization are lifesaving,” said Katie Ray-Jones, CEO, National Domestic Violence Hotline. “FVPSA Re-Authorization is long overdue, and we are deeply grateful to Representatives McBath, Moore, Fitzpatrick, and Young for this important legislation and their unwavering support”.

The Hotline is grateful for the continued efforts of these Representatives and their tireless commitment to ending domestic violence and creating a safer future for all those impacted by relationship abuse.