A Federal Funding Freeze on all Grants Threatens the Stability of Programs that Provide Life-Saving Support to Victims and Survivors

The National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (NTF) is gravely concerned about the Trump Administration’s attempts to freeze all federal grants, which threaten the stability of programs that provide life-saving support to victims and survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The NTF is a national collaboration comprising a large group of national, tribal, state, territorial, and local organizations, advocates, and individuals that focuses on the development, passage, and implementation of effective public policy to address domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. Federal grants are a cornerstone of efforts to combat these issues. They enable shelters, crisis hotlines, advocacy services, and prevention programs to operate effectively. They fund law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts that hold offenders accountable. A freeze on this funding jeopardizes critical programs that directly support victims, survivors, and their families while also undermining broad systems that protect public safety and hold perpetrators accountable. This puts the safety, dignity, and well-being of millions of victims and survivors at risk.

Any funding cuts undermine decades of progress in addressing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking and send a troubling message to victims: that their safety and healing are not a priority. This is not about politics. It is about people. Victims, survivors, families, and communities need and deserve unwavering support and a government that prioritizes their safety and recovery regardless of personal or political views. 

Approximately 24 people per minute experience rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner in the United States. Had the grant funding freeze gone into effect, approximately 11,520 people every day would have potentially been harmed and lost access to much-needed resources. Prosecutors whose positions are funded by Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) grants obtain an average of 201 convictions a day; in each day of the pause, 201 individuals who have been charged with domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking have evaded justice. VAWA funds pay the salary of 260 law enforcement officers around the country, who respond to calls for assistance, investigate cases, and refer more than 65,000 cases to prosecutors every year. It also supports sexual assault nurse examiners and forensic examiners who provide over 10,000 medical forensic exams annually. Without funding, police departments, hospitals, and social services will be overwhelmed with emergency cases that could have been prevented with proper intervention.

On behalf of victims, advocates, and service providers, the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence urges policymakers to act swiftly to maintain funding; reaffirm their commitment to victims, survivors, families, and communities; and prevent the devastating consequences of sexual and domestic violence from taking hold in their communities across the nation. Together, we can ensure that every survivor has access to the resources they need to heal and thrive and that communities can hold offenders accountable.

Letter on Nomination of Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense

January 8, 2025

Dear Chairman Wicker and Ranking Member Reed:

As leaders advocating for the prevention of sexual violence, respectful workplace cultures, and the needs of survivors of sexual assault and harassment, we write to share our critical feedback about the nomination of Pete Hegseth to the position of Secretary of Defense. We are grateful to you for the seriousness with which you are carrying out your constitutionally mandated advice and consent role, and we hope that the FBI background check process will be thorough – including outreach to current and former employers and staff – in service of providing you with a full and fair assessment of Mr. Hegseth’s employment history. This information will be crucial in assessing the nominee's fitness, including his professional qualifications, and whether he has demonstrated the ethical conduct and temperament necessary for Senate confirmation.

With women comprising nearly 20% of our armed forces, it is crucial that the leadership of our Department of Defense continue to make significant strides in addressing and preventing sexual assault in the military. In 2021, the Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault in the U.S. Military (IRC) identified the critical importance of leadership at every level to effectively tackle the problem of sexual assault. The IRC noted, “When women are considered ‘less than’ by their male peers or leaders, unit climates are breeding grounds for gender discrimination, sexual harassment, and sexual assault.”1 According to a 2023 report, the estimated prevalence of sexual assault and sexual harassment in the active forces has declined compared to levels last measured in 2021, marking the first time in nearly 10 years that the Department of Defense has seen a decrease in the estimated prevalence of sexual assault.2 Consequently, we need and deserve a leader with the credibility, character, experience, and commitment to inspire respect and continue this crucial work.

The credible accusation of sexual assault made against Mr. Hegseth in 2017 is deeply concerning. It is also disturbing that Mr. Hegseth did not disclose this incident to President-elect Trump’s transition team. Furthermore, the reports about disrespectful workplace behavior, sexual harassment, and sexist comments made by Mr. Hegseth in multiple workplaces, including his most recent place of employment, Fox News,3 are additional significant reasons for concern about this nomination. At the same time, we are not aware of efforts by Mr. Hegseth to take responsibility for his behavior or to speak to how his behavior has changed or should change. Moreover, in statements made publicly, he has embraced sexist and discriminatory policies.4 Confirming Mr. Hegseth would send the wrong messages to military personnel regarding expectations that they adhere to the highest standards of personal conduct, uphold the values of respect and honor towards others, and that those who engage in sexual harassment or sexual violence will be held accountable.

While commenting on the nomination of Mr. Hegseth, we must also express concern broadly for the well-being of survivors of sexual assault and harassment. When sexual violence is in the news, survivors are watching. How leaders respond to cases of sexual assault and harassment impacts the recovery of survivors, and if not supportive or empathetic, it also can discourage others from coming forward, reducing the likelihood of reporting these crimes.

Unfortunately, victims of sexual violence remain subject to societal stigma, victim blaming, and sometimes harassment. Invalidating the experiences of survivors dismisses the violence they have experienced and minimizes the pain that endures for them. Survivors should be given ways to talk about their experiences that guard their privacy and security. Requests for anonymity are understandable and should be respected. If a survivor chooses to testify publicly, every effort must be made to protect that person, including their personal physical safety and internet safety. Questioning should be respectful and non-accusatory. Social media posts should also be respectful. Moreover, no one should be threatened with litigation for sharing concerns and experiences with public officials.

While the Committee awaits ethics and background checks and further deliberates Mr. Hegseth’s nomination, we ask all members of the Armed Services Committee to carefully and comprehensively consider Mr. Hegseth’s nomination, including the significant concerns detailed in this letter.

Thank you for your consideration.

Letter in Opposition to HR 30

January 13, 2025

Honorable Members of the House,

The undersigned groups that serve and advocate on behalf of victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, and human trafficking, write to voice our opposition to HR 30. 

We oppose this legislation as it would expand the circumstances under which domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, stalking, and sex offenses would constitute grounds of inadmissibility, as well as expand the definition of domestic violence to be considered for inadmissibility or deportability grounds. These measures would negatively impact immigrant survivors of domestic and sexual violence, and fail to alleviate the primary barriers to safety and stability experienced by survivors seeking relief under the Immigration and Nationality Act.

We are especially troubled that this legislation fails to include waivers that take into account the needs of the victim or their family, and that it will limit the discretion that judges can exercise where the equities warrant, including situations where survivors who are inadvertently caught up in the criminal legal system will be harmed.  

Unfortunately, immigrant victims are particularly vulnerable to being arrested and prosecuted for domestic violence if they acted in self-defense or are accused by an abuser of being a primary aggressor. A well-known tactic of abusers to maintain power and control over their victims is to report (and threaten to report) their partner to authorities, including local law enforcement, child protective services, ICE, and others–falsely claiming that their partner (the victim of their violence) is the one who is violent, neglectful, etc. These false reports (and the threats of them) are too often highly effective at keeping victims trapped in violent relationships. 

Moreover, we know that parents of color are disproportionately accused of child abuse offenses, including abandonment and neglect.  Domestic violence survivors are not infrequently charged with child neglect for having “failed to protect” their children from witnessing or exposure to an adult’s violence committed against the non-abusive parent, resulting in doubly penalizing the survivor and the children for violence committed by someone else. This legislation creates grounds of inadmissibility for these offenses without requiring a conviction, in circumstances where an individual admits that they committed acts that would constitute a crime. 

Language and cultural barriers, fear of the abuser and the authorities, confusion, intimidation, a lack of awareness of rights, and a lack of access to advocates and other resources, all may prevent an immigrant victim from being able to communicate what really happened. Once in custody and/or facing trial, and desperate to be released and reunited with their children, these same factors – combined with poor legal counsel, particularly about the immigration consequences of criminal pleas and convictions – could lead to ineligibility for status, or the deportation of wrongly accused victims who may have pled to or been unfairly convicted of domestic violence charges. 

The legislation’s expansion of the definition of domestic violence, which was expressly included in the Violence Against Women Act to allow for the provision of a greater array of victim services, to include circumstances that may not involve violence, physical force, or threats of such is also likely to sweep more survivors into the scope of the ground of inadmissibility or deportability. This will result in more victims being deported and/or bar them from obtaining lawful status. In so doing, it invites additional scrutiny of survivors during the course of their efforts to obtain immigration protections and safety from violence. 

Furthermore, expanding the grounds of inadmissibility or ineligibility for status with no waivers would increase the risk that victims will decline to seek assistance from law enforcement or services if they fear that it will result in a family member being barred from legal status. When creating penalties, balance is key. Deterrence is critically important but will be ineffective if consequences are so severe that survivors will not come forward.  

Although we are grateful for the efforts of lawmakers to seek to address the impact of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking, we believe the best way to do so is by expanding accessibility of survivor-based immigration relief and related benefits to noncitizen survivors, and by eliminating the cap on visas available to petitioners for U and T nonimmigrant visas and the number of cases eligible for final adjudications of VAWA Cancellation of Removal. Rather than rushing to enact additional immigration penalties that could cause harm to survivors, we urge Congressional representatives to consult with service providers and survivors themselves to develop legislation that is responsive to their experiences and needs.

As a diverse coalition of organizations serving and advocating on behalf of victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking, we thank you for paying vigilant attention to how this bill, by expanding the ways in which domestic violence arrests can prevent people from accessing or maintaining legal status, can ultimately have devastating consequences for immigrant victims of domestic violence.  

Please do not hesitate to contact Cristina Velez from ASISTA at cristina@asistahelp.org or Irena Sullivan from the Tahirih Justice Center at IrenaS@tahirih.org for further information regarding these or related concerns. 

Sincerely,

National Organizations 

Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence

ASISTA Immigration Assistance

Esperanza United

Tahirih Justice Center

AF3IRM

American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)

American Muslim Health Professionals

Autistic Self Advocacy

Black Women’s Blueprint

BWJP 

Caminar Latino- Latinos United for Peace and Equity 

Center for Constitutional Rights

Center for Gender & Refugee Studies

Center for Popular Democracy

Coalition on Human Needs

Coalition of Labor Union Women, AFL-CIO

Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, U.S. Provinces

Freedom Network USA

Futures Without Violence

Gender-Based Violence Consulting

Human Trafficking Legal Center

IAmProSe

Immigrant Legal Resource Center

Japanese American Citizens League

Jewish Women International

Joyful Heart Foundation

Just Solutions

Justice and Joy National Collaborative (formerly National Crittenton)

Justice for Migrant Women

Legal Momentum
Lovelace Consulting

Mujeres Latinas en Accion 

National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd

National Alliance to End Sexual Violence

National Association of Social Workers

National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health

National Council of Jewish Women

National Employment Law Project

National Indigenous Women's Resource Center

National LGBTQ Institute on Intimate Partner Violence

National Network to End Domestic Violence 

National Resource Center on Domestic Violence

National Survivor Network

National Women's Law Center

Planned Parenthood Federation of America

Public Advocacy for Kids (PAK)

Reframe Health and Justice 

Refugees International

Respect Together 

Safe Havens Interfaith Partnership Against Domestic Violence and Elder Abuse

SAGE Empowerment 

Sahiyo U.S.

Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Justice Team

South Asian SOAR

The National Domestic Violence Hotline

UltraViolet Action

VALOR

Youth First Justice Collaborative 

YWCA USA

State, Territorial, and Local 

Alabama

AshaKiran

Arizona

Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence

William E. Morris Institute for Justice

Arkansas

Arkansas Coalition Against Sexual Assault

California

California Partnership to End Domestic Violence

Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking

Asian Law Alliance 

Community Solutions

Empower Yolo

Haus of a Stranger

Healthy Alternatives to Violent Environments

Immigration Center for Women and Children

Justice At Last

Los Angeles LGBT Center

Maitri

North Coast Rape Crisis Team

Peace Over Violence

Project Sister Family Services

Rape Counseling Services of Fresno

Reach the Valley (REACH)

Verity

Wild Iris Family Counseling and Crisis Center

YWCA Golden Gate Silicon Valley

Colorado

Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault

Violence Free Colorado

American Friends Service Committee, Colorado

Compañeros: Four Corners Immigrant Resource Center

Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition

El Corazón LLC 

Swan Counseling Services

Denver Justice and Peace Committee

Connecticut

Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Delaware

Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence (DCADV)

District of Columbia

DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center

The Person Center

Florida

Florida Legal Services, Inc.

Georgia

Clayton County Association Against Family Violence, Inc.

Columbus Alliance for Battered Women, Inc. d/b/a Hope Harbour

Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence

International Women's House

Northwest Georgia Family Crisis Center, Inc.

Raksha, Inc.

Hawaii

Domestic Violence Action Center

Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc.

Illinois

Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault

Illinois Accountability Initiative

Illinois Alliance for Reentry and Justice

Arab American Family Services

Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Family Services

The Porchlight Collective SAP 

Indiana

Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Inc.

Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking (ICESAHT)

Family Service Association

ASSIST Indiana, Inc.

The Caring Place 

Sheltering Wings

The Center for Women and Families, Inc.

The Stepping Stone Shelter

Iowa

Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence

EMBARC Iowa

Kansas

Kansas Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence

Kentucky

Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs

ZeroV

Louisiana

Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault

Maine

Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence

Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault

Preble Street

Maryland

Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault

Network Against Domestic Violence

The Human Trafficking Prevention Project

University of Maryland SAFE Center

Massachusetts

Jane Doe Inc

Michigan

Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence

SafeHouse Center

Minnesota

Violence Free Minnesota

Transforming Generations

Mississippi

Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Montana

Montana Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence

Nebraska

Catholic Charities of Omaha

Nebraska Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence

Parent-Child Center

Rape and Domestic Abuse Program 

Willow Rising

Nevada

Immigration Center for Women and Children - Nevada Office

Nevada Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence

New Jersey

New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence

New Mexico

Tewa Women United

New York

New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Brooklyn Defender Services

Co-Counsel NYC

Catholic Migration Services

Jahajee Sisters

Her Justice, Inc.

Hope's Door

Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation

Safe Horizon Immigration Law Project

The Legal Aid Society

Turning Point for Women & Families

urban justice center | domestic violence project

Violence Intervention Program

Womankind 

North Carolina

North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence

NC Coalition Against Sexual Assault

Family Abuse Services

Families First, Inc.

Friend to Friend

Kearah's Place Inc. 

Our Voice

Ruth’s House

Safelight Inc.

Shining Light In Darkness 

UCare, Inc.

Ohio

Ohio Alliance To End Sexual Violence

Ohio Domestic Violence Network

Advocating Opportunity

Oregon

Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Pennsylvania Immigration Resource Center

Pennsylvania Coalition to Advance Respect 

Citizens Against Physical, Sexual, and Emotional Abuse, Inc. (CAPSEA, Inc.)

Congreso de Latinos Unidos

Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern Pennsylvania

Family Services Incorporated

Laurel House

Lutheran Settlement House

SEAMAAC, Inc.

Safe Monroe

Turning Point of Lehigh Valley, Inc.

Victims Resource Center 

Women’s Center of Greater Pittsburgh

Women In Transition

The Women’s Center, Inc. 

WRC

Puerto Rico

Casa Juana Colón

Centro de la Mujer Dominicana, Inc.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence 

Tennessee

Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence

Texas

Daya Inc.

Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative

Mosaic Family Services

Utah

Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault

Utah Domestic Violence Coalition

Vermont

AWARE, Inc.

Mosaic Vermont

NewStory Center

Safeline, Inc.

Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence

Virginia

Ayuda

Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance

Washington

WA State Coalition Against Domestic Violence

API Chaya

Northwest Immigrant Rights Project

YWCA of Walla Walla

West Virginia

West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Wisconsin

End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin 

Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault

ASTOP, Inc. Sexual Abuse Center

BeLEAF Survivors

Benedict Center

Deaf Unity

FREE

Freedom, Inc.

FRIENDS, Inc.

Embrace Services, Inc. 

Reach Counseling

Roots4Change Cooperative

UNIDOS Against Domestic ViolenceStepping Stones, Inc.

We All Rise AARC

Wyoming

Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

National Statement in Support of Full and Equal Access for the Transgender Community from Anti-Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Organizations

We, the undersigned anti-sexual assault and domestic violence organizations unequivocally support laws and policies that protect transgender people from violence and discrimination. This includes laws and policies that protect transgender children’s and adults’ ability to access restrooms, locker rooms, domestic violence shelters, rape crisis centers, and other facilities that match their affirmed gender.

Unfortunately, states across the country have introduced or adopted dangerous policies that seek to erode non-discrimination protections and exclude transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people from sex-separated public spaces. Legislative proposals have also sought to ban trans, nonbinary, and intersex survivors from critical services and safe spaces while escaping violence. Supporters of these anti-trans policies claim that they are necessary for public safety and to prevent sexual violence against women and children. As sexual assault service providers, domestic violence shelters, and other service providers and advocates who work each and every day to meet the needs of all survivors and reduce sexual assault and domestic violence throughout society, we speak from experience and expertise, and we strongly disagree.

Claims that allowing transgender people to access sex-separated spaces aligning with their gender identity threatens the safety or privacy of women and girls are false. We call on policy makers to focus on and fully fund survivors’ real needs: housing, healthcare, advocacy, legal support, counseling, children’s services, and more and to oppose harmful and false narratives about trans people and nonbinary people and survivors.

Transgender and nonbinary individuals already suffer higher risks of domestic violence and sexual assault resulting from discrimination, stigma, and barriers to financial and housing security they endure. Transgender women of color are disproportionately impacted. Prohibiting transgender and nonbinary people from facilities consistent with their affirmed gender further increases their vulnerability to assault and abuse.

As advocates committed to ending sexual assault and domestic violence, we do not support any law or policy that could place any person at greater risk for assault or abuse. That is why we strongly support transgender-inclusive nondiscrimination laws and policies—and why we oppose any law that jeopardizes the safety of transgender people.

Nondiscrimination laws protecting transgender people have existed for almost fifty years. Over 200 municipalities and 18 states have nondiscrimination laws protecting transgender people’s access to facilities consistent with their affirmed gender. These laws have protected transgender and nonbinary people from discrimination without any evidence that they jeopardize others’ safety. No jurisdiction has seen a rise in sexual violence or other public safety issues due to nondiscrimination laws that prohibit discrimination against transgender and nonbinary people and ensure them access to sex-separated spaces consistent with their gender identity.

In contrast, research shows anti-transgender rhetoric and policies are linked to an increased risk of sexual assault of trans and nonbinary youth, with one study showing that trans and nonbinary students who were forced to use a bathroom or locker room that did not match their affirmed identity were more likely to report sexual assault. And, anti-trans policies have resulted in more women and girls being questioned generally in public spaces for any deviation from sexist stereotypes. For example, local vigilantes accosted Aimee Toms while using the women’s restroom at a Danbury, Connecticut, Walmart shortly after she donated her long hair to a charity that makes hair units for child cancer patients. The vigilantes argued Ms. Toms was prohibited from using the bathroom because she had short hair. Additionally, a twenty-four year old woman was berated and threatened while using a restroom at Rampart Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada because she had a buzz cut. Another woman was followed into the bathroom by a man at a Dallas hospital who “wanted to make sure she was going to the right [bathroom]” because she was wearing basketball shorts and a t-shirt. These women’s horrific experiences exemplify why anti-transgender policies threaten all women and girls and encourage people to question others’ gender because they may not conform to sex stereotypes.

Moreover, assaulting another person in a restroom or changing room remains against the law in every single state. We operate and advocate for rape crisis centers and shelters all over the country, including in cities and states with nondiscrimination protections for transgender people. Those protections neither weaken public safety or undermine criminal laws, nor have they compromised their enforcement.

Discriminating against transgender people threatens everyone’s autonomy over their body and their safety. Those who perpetuate falsehoods about transgender people and nondiscrimination laws are endangering all people, making no one safer. We cannot be silent while survivors, those who are transgender and those who are not, are harmed by these laws. We will only accomplish our goal of ending sexual assault and domestic violence by treating all people, including those who are transgender, with fairness and respect, regardless of their gender identify.

Respectfully submitted,

(list in formation)

Americans for Democratic Action (ADA)
API Chaya
Arizona Coalition to End Sexual & Domestic Violence
Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project
Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI)
Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence
ASISTA Immigrant Assistance
Aspen Victim Advocacy Services
ASTOP, Inc. Sexual Abuse Center
BeLEAF Survivors
Beyond Harm
Beyond Survival
Black Woman Sanctuary
Black Women's Blueprint
Bradley Angle
Bridges: Domestic & Sexual Violence Support Services, Inc.
California Partnership to End Domestic Violence
Call to Safety
Caminar Latino-Latinos United for Peace and Equity
Canyon Creek Services
Catalyst
Cia Siab, Inc.
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center
Coalition on Human Needs
Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault
Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Conneticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence
Crime Victim Services
DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Deaf Unity
Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence
District of Columbia Rape Crisis Center
Diverse & Resilient
Domestic Violence Services of Sno. Co.
Dove House Advocacy Services
El Programa Hispano Catolico_UNICA
Embrace Services, Inc.
Empowerhouse
End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin
Esperanza United
Family Advocates
Family Violence Appellate Project
Fight Against Domestic Violence
Florida Council Against Sexual Violence
FORGE, Inc.
Freedom, Inc.
FRIENDS, Inc.
Futures Without Violence
Gender Justice League
Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence
HAVEN, Inc.
Hawaiʻi State Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Healthy Alternatives to Violent Environments
Her Justice
Hope and Healing Survivor Resource Center
Idaho Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence
Illinois Accountability Initiative
Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault
Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence
JDI (Jane Doe, Inc.) MA Coalition Against SA & DV
Jewish Family Services, Inc.
Jewish Women International
Journey Center for Safety & Healing
Just Detention International
Just Solutions
Kansas Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence
King County Sexual Assault Resource Center
Lassen Family Services
Legal Momentum
Little Listeners Of The Carolina
Live Violence Free
Los Angeles LGBT Center
Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault (LaFASA)
Lovelace Consulting Services, Inc.
Lumina Alliance
Lutheran Community Services Northwest
Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault
Maitri
Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault
Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence, Inc.
Michigan Coalition to End Domestic & Sexual Violence
Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault
Minnesota Indian Women's Sexual Assault Coalition
Modoc Crisis Center
Montana Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence
Naila Amin Foundation
National Alliance to End Sexual Violence
National Council of Jewish Women - Greater Philadelphia
National Indigenous Women's Resource Center
National LGBTQ Institute on IPV
National Network To End Domestic Violence
National Resource Center on Domestic Violence
Nebraska Coalition to End Sexual & Domestic Violence
Nebraska Tribes Addressing Violence Coalition
Nevada Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence
New Avenues for Youth
New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence
New Mexico Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs
New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Oasis Youth Center
Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence
Ohio Domestic Violence Network
Oregon Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence
Oregonizers
Oregon Sexual Assault Task Force
Pathways for Change, Inc. Rape Crisis Center
Peace House, Inc.
Peace Over Violence
Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Pennsylvania Coalition to Advance Respect
People Power United
Project Sister Family Services
Raksha, Inc.
Rape Recovery Center
Rape Trauma Services: A Center for Healing & Violence Prevention
Raphael House of Portland
Raven, Lotus & Grey
Reach Counseling
Rebuilding Hope Sexual Assault Center
Respect Together
Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury, Inc.
Seekhaven Family Crisis & Resource Center
Sexual Violence Prevention Association (SVPA)
Stand Up Placer, Inc.
Stepping Stones, Inc.
Support, Advocacy & Resource Center
Tahirih Justice Center
Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic & Sexual Violence
Texas Council on Family Violence
The Center for Empowerment & Education
The Center for Family Justice
The Cocoon
The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center | The DC Anti-Violence Project
The Domestic Violence Shelter
The DOVE Project
The National Domestic Violence Hotline
The SAFE Alliance
Townhall II
Transformation Project Advocacy Network
Tri-County Help Center, Inc.
Turning Point, Inc.
Ujima, The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community
Upper Ohio Valley Sexual Assault Help Center, Inc.
Utah Domestic Violence Coalition
VALOR
Verity
Vermont Network Against Domestic & Sexual Violence
Violence Free Colorado
Violence Free Minnesota
Virginia Sexual & Domestic Violence Action Alliance
Volunteers of America Oregon - Home Free
WEAVE
West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence
William E. Morris Institute for Justice
Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault
WOAR-Philadelphia Center Against Sexual Violence
Women's Resource Center
Women & Children's Horizons
WZA Consultant
YWCA Golden Gate Silicon Valley
YWCA New Britain
YWCA Yakima
ZeroV

Statement on Racist & Sexist Questioning of Supreme Court Nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson

The National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence condemns the racist and sexist questioning and disrespectful behavior that marred the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, a nominee who is eminently qualified for the United States Supreme Court. Behavior of this form occurring in institutions and from leaders of our country upholds the very clear message – a Black woman can work hard, excel, and be the best in her field, but she will still be disrespected and her worth and character questioned.

Senators asked Judge Jackson a number of racist questions that have not in the past been asked of white nominees, including:

• Questions about her personal beliefs related to critical race theory, attacks against which are used as a proxy to challenge any assertions that racism continues to exist in the United States.

• A question misrepresenting the content of a children’s book: ‘“Do you agree . . . that babies are racist?”

• Questions implying that she has a “hidden agenda” to remake the United States legal system to impose lesser sentences on people of color than on white people.

• A question minimizing the very real existence and harm of white privilege, describing it as “so-called white privilege.”

• Statements implying that tough but fair questions would be called “racist.”

Moreover, some senators acted inappropriately and disrespectfully towards Judge Jackson through disruptions, theatrics, unsupported political grievances, and social media posts that had nothing to do with her qualifications or judicial temperament.

Not only was this an oppressive and disrespectful way to treat a nominee who is a role model for so many, it sent a terrible message to and has had a painful impact on the Black community, particularly Black women and girls who were watching. Many are survivors of gender-based violence needing a response from their government that respects, supports, and protects them. The racist and sexist rhetoric present during the hearings is incredibly harmful and unacceptable and must be interrupted as we all go forward to dismantle oppression and white supremacy and its harmful effects on victims, survivors, colleagues, and public policy.

For more information, please contact Terri Poore at terri@endsexualviolence.org, Monica McLaughlin at mmclaughlin@nnedv.org, or Rachel Graber at rgraber@ncadv.org.

NTF Celebrates VAWA's Passage and Signing into Law

The National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (NTF) celebrates the passage and signing into law of S.3623, the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022, as part of the omnibus appropriations bill. S.3623 reauthorizes the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) until 2027 and includes a number of enhancements to increase access to VAWA-funded programs and improve VAWA’s responsiveness to the needs of survivors.

The NTF began the reauthorization process in 2016, doing field assessments to determine what changes needed to be included in a VAWA reauthorization bill well in advance of VAWA’s original expiration date of October 1, 2018. S.3623, and its companion bill, H.R.1620, are the outcome of six years of bipartisan negotiation. We thank Representatives Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX-18) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) and Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and their staff for their leadership. We also thank all of the victims, survivors, advocates, and others who reached out to their members of Congress to urge them to support this bill. This is their victory!

Please contact Rachel Graber (rgraber@ncadv.org), Dorian Karp (dkarp@jwi.org), Monica McLaughlin (mmclaughlin@nnedv.org), and Terri Poore (terri@endsexualviolence.org) with any questions.

Take Action:

Celebrate VAWA’s reauthorization with these social media posts

Statement and Action in Support of the Senate Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022

The National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (NTF) applauds Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Richard Durbin (D-IL), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) for introducing the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2022. This important bill reflects a bipartisan consensus that the government needs to do more to prevent and to respond to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. The bill addresses the many needs identified during extensive engagement with the domestic violence and sexual assault fields. A summary of the Senate bill can be found here.

The House of Representatives passed their version of this bill, led by Representatives Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX-18) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), last March. The NTF encourages the Senate to swiftly pass the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2022 and send it to the House for a vote.

TAKE ACTION!

Organizations and individuals: Join the NTF in urging your senators to cosponsor and vote in favor of this bill. Just click here to automatically send an email! You can find social media posts and graphics here.

Organizations only: In addition to the actions above, please use this form to sign onto the NTF’s letter in support of this bill by Monday, February 14.
Please reach out with any questions to Rachel Graber (rgraber@ncadv.org), Dorian Karp (dkarp@jwi.org), Monica McLaughlin (mmclaughlin@nnedv.org), and Terri Poore (terri@endsexualviolence.org).

Action Alert: Day of Action for VAWA with Lead Senators and Angelina Jolie

On January 19, join the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, Angelina Jolie, and Senate sponsors of the upcoming Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) reauthorization for a policy day of action to ask Senators to co-sponsor and pass the bipartisan consensus bill to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act.

On December 16, 2021, Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Richard Durbin (D-IL), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) announced they had reached a deal on a framework to reauthorize VAWA with key improvements and protections to better meet the needs of abuse survivors. They plan to introduce the bill this month. While they are finalizing the bill, they need our help to build support among Senators so they can introduce the bill with as many bipartisan sponsors as possible.

VAWA is a central way the Federal government responds to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. First signed into law in 1994, VAWA creates grant programs to provide services and housing to victims and survivors and training to improve the legal response to gender-based violence. The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2022 is based on extensive work with survivors, direct service providers, and other stakeholders, and is the first reauthorization since the pandemic, which has exacerbated domestic violence and sexual assault.

VIRTUAL RALLY: Join us, with VAWA lead Senators and international human rights and children’s rights advocate Angelina Jolie at 12:15 ET/9:15 PT HERE

TWITTER STORM: Then, join us at 1:00 ET/10:00 PT for a Twitter storm!

CALL YOUR SENATORS: Before, during, or after the rally, call your senators (202-224-3121) or email them through their websites.

This toolkit includes a call script, an email template, sample social media posts, and graphics. It even includes template op-eds and letters to the editor!

Please reach out to Rachel Graber (rgraber@ncadv.org), Dorian Karp (dkarp@jwi.org) and Monica McLaughlin (mmclaughlin@nnedv.org) with any questions or if you have an op-ed or letter to the editor placed.

NTF Statement on VAWA Reauthorization by Senate

The National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (NTF) appreciates Senators Feinstein’s, Ernst’s, Durbin’s, and Murkowski’s ongoing commitment to swiftly reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) with key enhancements as expressed in their December 16 press release and on the Senate Floor. This lifesaving legislation cannot wait, and a Senate bill must, as the Senators stated, be introduced in January, including the provisions described in the published framework. The NTF will continue to work with the Senate, the House, the White House, the sexual assault and domestic violence victim advocacy communities, and victims and survivors nationwide to expeditiously strengthen and reauthorize VAWA.

Action Alert: Senate Day of Action on October 20th

More than six months ago, the House passed H.R.1620, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021, with strong bipartisan support. The Senate is currently negotiating their own bipartisan reauthorization bill.

We appreciate Senators Feinstein’s, Ernst’s, and Durbin’s leadership in developing a strong bipartisan bill that meets the needs of survivors and that does not include any rollbacks. In order to ensure VAWA is able to pass both Chambers of Congress and be signed by the President before the end of the year, senators must swiftly introduce and pass a bipartisan bill built on H.R.1620.

Join us on October 20 to tell the Senate to introduce and pass a bipartisan bill that meets the needs of survivors and communities ASAP! A Senate bill must be bipartisan, must build on H.R.1620, and must maintain protections for LGBTQ survivors and advocates and other vulnerable populations. It must also:

○     Increase funding for culturally specific organizations;

○     Invest in prevention;

○     Affirm Tribes’ inherent authority to prosecute non-Native rapists and others who prey on Native women on tribal lands;

○     Take meaningful action to address adjudicated domestic and dating abusers’ access to firearms;

○     Improve access to housing for survivors;

○     Promote economic security for survivors; and

○     Address the criminal-legal system’s revictimization of survivors.

Call your senators (202-224-3121) or email them through their websites on October 20. In addition, join our 2:00 EDT Twitterstorm! This toolkit includes a call script, an email template, sample social media posts, and graphics. It even includes sample op-eds and letters to the editor, if you want to go the extra mile!

Please reach out to Rachel Graber (rgraber@ncadv.org) and Monica McLaughlin (mmclaughlin@nnedv.org) with any questions.