VAWA and VOCA:Advocacy Points

Allison RandallNational 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

VAWA Authorization

14%

33%

45%

8%

Criminal Justice

Services &InterventionChildren & YouthServicesPrevention & EarlyIntervention

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!

FY 08 Appropriation vs Authorization

231.6 241.1

39 52.7

331.5

454.5

77140

0

100

200

300

400

500

Crim

inal

Just

ice

Ser

vice

s &

Inte

rven

tion

Chi

ldre

n &

You

thS

ervi

ces

Pre

vent

ion

& E

arly

Inte

rven

tion

FY 08 Budget

VAWA Authorization

Critical Programs & Exciting OpportunitiesIn 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 OpportunitiesIn 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…

ServicesServices

Year One Year Two

Crime Victims Fund

State Victim Assistance GrantsNon- Profit

70%

Other Public

4%Nat. Am.

1% CJ S25%

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.

Domestic Violence

49%

Surv /Hom.Victims

3%

Child Phy. Abuse

3%

Assault7%

Other18%

Robbery2%

Child Sexual Abuse

9%

DUI/DWI Crashes

1%

Elder Abuse1%Adults

Mol/Child2%

Adult Sexual Assault

5%

•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

-100

100

300

500

700

900

1,100

Milli

ons increase

drawdownPrev. Yr. Deps.Cap

1985-2007 = $9 Billion

Est. FY 09 Opening BalanceEst. FY 09 Opening Balance$1.9 Billion$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 2009

710

2,614 less new budget authority (cap)

-590 less rescission

-2,024 Opening balance, 2010

-0-What happens

in 2010?

Opening Fund Balance

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

1,600

1,800

2,000

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Mill

ions

VOCA Program Funding$625

$254$254

$371$371

$590

$301$301

$289$289

2006 2008est.

$625

2007

$229$229

$396$396

Cap

Other VOCAPrograms/OJP Costs

StateVictimAssistanceGrants

$770*

$374$374

$396$396

2009est.

In millions* Includes $ 50 million AER

$590*

$354$354

$236$2362009

Request

VOCA Program Funding$625

$254$254

$371$371

$590

$301$301

$289$289

2006 2008est.

$625

2007

$229$229

$396$396

Cap

Other VOCAPrograms/OJP Costs

StateVictimAssistanceGrants

$770*

$374$374

$396$396

2009est.

In millions* Includes $ 50 million AER

$590*

$354$354

$236$2362009

Request

VOCA Victim Assistance Grants

cut by$159 million (40%)

since 2006

Fund Availability

0200400600800

100012001400160018002000

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Millio

ns Available in FundAnnual capVictim assistance grants

$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: www.nnedv.org/funding

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)