For
Immediate Release
Contact
Person: Rita Smith
Phone: (303) 839-1852
Email:
rsmith@ncadv.org
December
10, 2010
House and Senate Pass Act to provide
lifesaving services
and programs for community
shelters and crisis centers
President set to sign the renewal of The Family Violence
Prevention and Services Act
(December 10, 2010) Washington, DC - The National
Coalition Against Domestic Violence joins our member programs and
services all across the nation in celebrating the passage of the
Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVSPA) as part of the
Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA). These vital
programs, first passed in 1984 and 1974 respectively, were long
overdue for reauthorization.
"In these grueling
economic times, our community battered women's shelters were facing
severe funding cuts and service reductions at the hands of state
and private funders trying to staunch budget
shortfalls. Reauthorizing FVPSA will ensure the funds
reach the states and programs so that families facing domestic and
sexual violence have an escape path," noted Rita Smith, Executive
Director of the 32-year old coalition, NCADV, representing over
2,000 shelters and programs and individuals across the country.
The Family Violence Prevention and Services Act
(FVPSA) is an essential component of our nation's campaign to raise
awareness about the cruel epidemic of domestic and sexual violence
that shreds the lives of girls and women, boys and
men. FVPSA authorizes lifesaving services to victims
of domestic violence and their families, through shelters, support
group and prevention counseling, legal assistance and service
referrals to economic support systems and essential health
services. The bill passed by the House on Wednesday
and by the Senate today is an important improvement in our ongoing
effort to address the criminal assault and sexual violence that
affects our children, women and girls of all races, religions,
ages, abilities and identities regardless of their economic or
citizenship status or where they live. "Our vision is
'Every home a safe home,' but it's more than a
slogan. It is a promise that NCADV makes to women and
their families that our organization and our colleagues in the
movement will never cease in our determination to stop violence
against women," declared Ms. Smith.
Major thanks must go to individual members of
Congress who championed FVPSA and CAPTA. In the
House, Representatives Gwen Moore (D-WI) and Aaron Schock (R-IL),
along with Judy Biggert (R-IL) and Gregorio Sablan (D-MP),
introduced FVPSA (H.R. 4116) early this year and gathered 123
sponsors including 17 Republicans - a truly bipartisan
bill. They were joined by Ed and Labor Committee
chair George Miller (D-CA) and his committee colleagues John Kline
(R-MN), Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), and Todd Platts (R-PA). In the
Senate, HELP committee chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) and ranking
member Mike Enzi (R-WY) pulled together the bipartisan Senate bill,
spurred by subcommittee chair Chris Dodd (D-CT) and ranking member
Lamar Alexander (R-TN). Victims of sexual and
domestic violence owe them a big thank you for their
stewardship.
FVPSA is the only dedicated federal funding source
for domestic violence shelters and services, supporting emergency
shelters, crisis hotlines, counseling services, victim assistance
initiatives and programs for underserved communities. This year's
bill builds upon FVPSA's core strengths and includes critical
improvements for the National DV Hotline, initiatives dealing with
teen dating violence, services for our nation's territories and
programs helping children who witness violence to name just a few.
Additionally, the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA)
not only continues its important work addressing child abuse,
neglect and sexual violence, but adds an important cross-cutting
component to improve services for both victims of child abuse and
families that are experiencing domestic violence and child
maltreatment.
"The fact that FVPSA/CAPTA reauthorization passed by
Unanimous Consent in the Senate and under suspension of the rules
by a unanimous voice vote in the House proves that this bipartisan
Act is a national priority," added Ms. Smith. "NCADV looks forward
to the President signing this bill so that advocates can begin work
on next year's challenge -saving lives and reauthorizing the 1994
Violence Against Women Act."
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