VAWA and VOCA: Advocacy Points Allison Randall National Network to End Domestic Violence

The Violence Against Women Act  First passed in 1994 and reauthorized in 2000; unanimously reauthorized in 2005  Serves victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking nationwide  Serves women, men and children  Is intended to make systemic change to end domestic and sexual violence

Congressional Support  Last year, Congress requested increased funding for key VAWA programs – $100.4 million in the House and $49.9 million in the Senate.  The final Congressional Budget included 17.3 million new dollars for VAWA programs.  Why is Congress so supportive of VAWA…?

VAWA is Effective  VAWA programs are a good investment – they save lives and money.  Domestic violence has declined. Homicides have decreased 24% for women and 48% for men. Non-fatal assaults have decreased 63%.  VAWA ’94 saved taxpayers at least $14.8 billion in net averted social costs in its first 6 years.  Since VAWA ’94, there has been a 27-51% increase in reporting rates of DV.

Demand for Services is Rising  The success of VAWA has lead many more victims to come forward and request help.  As we train police or conduct outreach, more people learn about our services and gain the courage to ask for help.  Calls to the National Domestic Violence Hotline increased 10% last year, and nearly 30,000 calls went unanswered due to increased call volume.  Children as young as 18 months are on waiting lists to receive treatment and therapy following sexual assault.

VAWA-Funded Programs – Making a Difference  In one day alone, 1,346 domestic violence programs (69%): Served 53,203 individuals; Trained an additional 29,902; and Answered 20,582 hotline calls.  Tragically, 7,707 individuals had to be turned away because shelters were full or resources were limited.

VAWA: A Comprehensive Response  Criminal & Civil Justice  Services & Intervention  Children & Youth  Prevention/Early Intervention  VAWA works efficiently to stretch funding across communities

Authorization vs Appropriation  After a bill is passed, Congress must fund it in their Congressional Budget  They decide this year by year  The amounts authorized in a bill are not binding – Congress can appropriate more funding, less funding, or none at all  It’s easy to pass a bill, but hard to secure appropriations for it!

Critical Programs & Exciting Opportunities In the Labor/Health and Human Services Budget:  Emergency Domestic Violence Shelters  Long-Term Stability for Victims  Prevention and Early Intervention Rape Prevention and Education Linking with Health Care Providers Addressing Child Abuse

Critical Programs & Exciting Opportunities In the Commerce, Justice, Science Budget: Rural Grants Sexual Assault Services Program Legal Assistance for Victims Children and Youth Transitional Housing STOP Grants

The President’s Budget Request  The President’s FY 09 Budget Request proposes— eliminating individual VAWA programs and creating one block grant instead cutting $120 million from VAWA  This disastrous plan has already been rejected by many Members of Congress.

What’s Next?  The House and Senate are drafting their appropriations bills  This is a critical time period, and our best opportunity!  Congress actually cares what YOU have to say  Bills will be introduced in May & June; amendments this summer; final bill may not be done until next year

Our Ask: Fully Fund VAWA in FY ’09  Ask your Senators and Representatives to fully fund VAWA programs  Tell your story – make it real for them  Talk about needs and successes  Ask what they are going to do to support increased funding of the Violence Against Women Act

What is the Crime Victims Fund?  Created in 1984 as revenue source for the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) to support state victim assistance and crime victim compensation.  Separate account; self-sufficient.  Paid entirely by Federal criminal offenders; no taxpayer dollars.  Only Federal funding for direct services to victims of all types of crimes.

Unlike other programs…  Permanent authorization, no sunset.  Continuing appropriation.  Cap on Fund delays amounts otherwise available for obligation.  Unobligated amounts remain in Fund for future victim services.

How Crime Victims Fund works… Services Year OneYear Two Crime Victims Fund

State Victim Assistance Grants 56 jurisdictions grant: base $+ % pop. 4,400 public and nonprofit agencies… provide direct victim assistance services… to 3.8 million victims of all types of crimes each year. crisis intervention and counseling support groups and therapy/treatment emergency shelter Information/referral and hotlines legal advocacy and emergency financial assist. criminal justice system (case status/disposition information, restitution assistance) personal advocacy and case management

Fund Deposits/Caps = $9 Billion Est. FY 09 Opening Balance $1.9 Billion

FY ’08 Cuts to VOCA  The VOCA cap was lowered by 6% last year due to an across-the-board cut made to all DOJ programs  This is a $35 million loss for VOCA  DOJ also plans to take additional ~$40 for their management and administrative costs  This devastating cut to services will be felt over the next several years

2009 President’s Budget Request  Rescinds $2.024 billion.  Sets cap at $590 million (maintaining the 6% cut made in FY ’08).  Includes $50 million Antiterrorism Emergency Reserve “under the cap.”  Transforms Fund from special account into revenue-offset account.

$2.024 billion Rescission  Opening balance, 2009 (“rainy day” balance) $1,904  plus amounts to be collected during ,614  less new budget authority (cap) -590  less rescission-2,024  Opening balance, What happens in 2010?

VOCA Program Funding $625 $254 $371 $590 $301 $ est. $ $229 $396 Cap Other VOCA Programs/ OJP Costs State Victim Assistance Grants $770* $374 $ est. In millions * Includes $ 50 million AER $590* $354 $ Request

VOCA Program Funding $625 $254 $371 $590 $301 $ est. $ $229 $396 Cap Other VOCA Programs/ OJP Costs State Victim Assistance Grants $770* $374 $ est. In millions * Includes $ 50 million AER $590* $354 $ Request VOCA Victim Assistance Grants cut by $159 million (40%) since 2006 VOCA Victim Assistance Grants cut by $159 million (40%) since 2006

Fund Availability $1.3b

Restore VOCA Assistance  $770 million cap = FY 2006 state victim assistance grants. $717 million cap, if AER kept above the cap. $677 million cap, if OJP M&A direct appropriation ($32.4 million).  Money already collected from Federal offenders and kept in Fund to maintain stable funding for victim services.  Does not include increases in: Crime rates. Demands for services. Types of crimes (e.g. stalking, human trafficking, identity theft, etc.). Costs of operations (e.g. gas, heat/utilities, stamps, etc.).  Direct funding for state victim assistance grants.

What the FY ’08 Cut Means…  According to a survey by the National Center for Victims of Crime:  Many grant recipients will turn away victims needing services  Some will lose staff  Some programs will close entirely

Our Ask: Restore VOCA  Tell staff that there’s another COMPLETELY DIFFERENT issue you want to talk about: VOCA  Remind them it’s not taxpayer dollars  If your state is getting a cut this year, tell them what it means for you  Ask them to raise the cap on the VOCA fund to “restore victim assistance to FY ’06 levels”

Want to know more?  We have lots of materials that explain the appropriations process or provide more detail about VAWA, VOCA and how to lobby:  Call your state DV and SA coalitions for advice and information  Do whatever Randi says!

Ash says “thank you” (and yes you can use VAWA funds to help keep pets safe)