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Democratic Senators have written a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer urging him to include funding for domestic violence and sexual assault programs in the upcoming reconciliation package bill.
“At a time when incidents of domestic violence and sexual assault have sharply increased, additional funding for these programs is critical,” the group wrote in the first paragraph of the letter.
“Through the Department of Justice, the federal government provides critical support for programs that are particularly needed at this time, including support for sexual assault service providers, law enforcement, and transitional housing programs, as well as for organizations that address the needs of communities of color and underserved populations,” the group added.
The group of Senators is asking that $100 million be reserved for government programs that provide direct assistance to victims. The lawmakers are also asking for at least $100 million for grants that will “develop and strengthen effective law enforcement and prosecution strategies to combat violent crimes against women and to develop and strengthen victim services.”
“During the pandemic, reports suggested that abusers were using COVID-19 to isolate their victims, withhold financial resources, and refuse medical aid,” the Senators wrote in the letter. “Service providers struggled to meet the need for services including crisis intervention, shelter and transitional housing, and legal assistance.”
“Like many of the consequences of the pandemic, this strain on resources has disproportionately impacted traditionally underserved populations, such as Black and Latino communities, rural communities, and Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, and American Indian communities.”
Democratic Senators Dianne Feinstein, Richard Blumenthal, Mazie Hirono, Cory Booker, Kirsten Gillibrand, Maggie Hassan, Tina Smith, Elizabeth Warren, Ron Wyden, Jeanne Shaheen, and Amy Klobuchar signed the letter.
The Council on Criminal Justice reported that domestic violence incidents increased by more than eight percent during the pandemic.
The group is also requesting funding to be distributed to the Disability Grant Program, Victims of Child Abuse Act grants, and Tribal governments.
