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U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) led 114 members of Congress in urging House and Senate leadership to include flexibility and additional help for domestic violence programs in any future Coronavirus aid package. Additionally, the letter calls on leadership to work in a bipartisan way to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
"As Americans are told to stay at home, those who feel in danger at home are especially impacted," said Davis. "Shelters in my district and across the country have been forced to change how they work to protect victims of domestic violence because of Coronavirus and more federal support is needed. Now is the time to work in a bipartisan way to reauthorize VAWA, grant flexibility to these programs, and provide additional funding to help cover these new costs to shelters. We need to make this a local, state, and federal effort to help victims of domestic violence during this time."
The concerns listed in the letter have been echoed by the director of the Dove Domestic Violence Program in Decatur and Clinton Police Chief Ben Lowers.
"Currently, since March 17th, when the stay at home order was entered, our hotline calls are steady. We have answered approximately 50-55 calls during this time. We do expect to see a spike in calls and requests for services. We are fully aware of the risk to victims of domestic violence at this time when they are trapped in a home with their abuser, being kept isolated from others who could be supportive, and making it extremely difficult to access any type of resources that could help them.
"We sincerely appreciate Congressman Davis' efforts in seeking increased funding for victims of domestic violence, through the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women's Act,especially at this most critical and challenging times," said Teri Ducy, Director, Dove Domestic Violence Program.
In an interview posted in the DeWitt Daily News, Chief Lowers worries about an increase in domestic violence calls. CLICK HERE for the interview.
Additionally, the State of Illinois has increased resources to help victims of domestic violence.
In April 2019, Davis crossed party lines and voted in favor of VAWA, which passed the house 263-158. He was one of 33 Republicans to vote for the bill. According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 1 in 3 women experience some sort of sexual violence in their lifetime in America.
CLICK HERE for a signed copy of the letter below.
April 9, 2020
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Speaker of the House
H-232
United States Capitol
Washington, DC 20515
The Honorable Mitch McConnell
Majority Leader
322 Hart Senate Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable Kevin McCarthy
Republican Leader
H-204, United States Capitol
Washington, DC 20515
The Honorable Charles Schumer
Minority Leader
322 Hart Senate Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader McConnell, Republican Leader McCarthy and Minority Leader Schumer,
As you know, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) plays a vital role in supporting programs that help protect individuals throughout the United States from crime and domestic abuse. In light of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the number of persons forced to shelter in place or quarantine with abusive partners or spouses continues to rise. It is now more imperative than ever that we work together on a bipartisan basis to ensure that this pandemic does not lend to increased instances of domestic violence or abuse that go unaddressed or unpunished.
Over a year ago on April 4, 2019, the House passed H.R.1585 the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019 with broad bipartisan support in an effort to reinstate the program which lapsed on February 19, 2019. To this day, VAWA remains unauthorized. While there is still funding available for these important programs housed under the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), leaving some of the most vulnerable members of our society open to abuse is unacceptable, particularly in the midst of a global health pandemic.
As you work to build upon legislation like H.R. 748, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, given the new realities and dangers that at-risk persons face due to shelter in place and stay home orders, it is imperative that you include the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act in any next piece of legislation to move through Congress. We urge you to you include additional language granting flexibilities to these programs, and grantees, as they navigate the new realties and challenges posed by Coronavirus.
Further, it is critical that additional funding be provided immediately for facilities and programs that assist victims of domestic violence to safely shelter in place. Those at risk for abuse should not have to choose between exposure to COVID-19 or their physical and mental safety and wellbeing.
We look forward to working with you and urge you to consider those most vulnerable as you work toward solutions to strengthen our families and communities.
Sincerely,
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