ACTION ALERT – PLEASE FORWARD WIDELY!

Call your Senators today and ask them to support funding for VAWA and VOCA in the Stimulus Package!

 

UPDATE:  Yesterday the Senate began to debate the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan (S.336). As you probably have seen from the wide-spread media coverage of the stimulus package, there is much debate about “wasteful” spending and ensuring money goes directly into the economy to create jobs.   

 

It’s critical to call your Senators now to ensure that key VAWA and VOCA provisions are maintained in the final Senate bill and to make the link to maintaining jobs in victim services organizations as well as law enforcement positions.  Also of course it’s critical to emphasis the increased demand for services during these harsh economic times and the ability of sexual assault service providers to meet the needs of victims and their families as well as working side-by-side with law enforcement as appropriate.   

 

NOTE: Use the toll-free number 1.800.828.0498 to make these vital calls! 

 

As a reminder, the Senate version of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan (S.336) includes the following important funding provisions which would support victim services.

• $300 million for the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), specifically for Services, Training, Officers, and Prosecutors (STOP) state formula grants; out of which, $50 million will be allocated to the VAWA Transitional Housing program; and  
• $100 million for the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA).

Additional Provisions in which SA Victims could benefit:

 

• $1.5 billion for Byrne JAG

·        $1 billion for COPS hiring program

·        $440 million for competitive grants to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, to assist victims of crime (other than compensation) and youth mentoring grants.

·        $300 million to remain available until 9/30/10 for assistance to Indian Tribes, of which $250 million for grants under section 20109 of subtitle A of title II of the 1994 crime bill, $25 million for Tribal Courts Initiative, and $25 million for tribal alcohol and substance abuse drug reduction assistance grants.

·        $150 million to remain available until 9/30/10 for assistance to law enforcement in rural areas, to prevent and combat crime, especially drug-related crime.

As exciting as this news is, it is only the first step in the process.  It is critical that these Senate provisions are protected as the bill moves toward becoming law.  Make sure that your Senators hear how important the Senate bill provisions are to sexual assault victims!

 

What you can do!

 

Never called your Senator before?  Don't worry, it's easy!

 

Go to www.senate.gov for a list of Senators.

 

Þ    Call 1.800.828.0498 (toll free) to be connected to the Capitol Switchboard.  Tell them the name of your Senator and they will connect you to their office.  When you call your Senator, your call will be answered by a receptionist.  Tell him or her:

·         “I urge Senator [last name] to support bill S.336, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan which will add much needed crucial funding to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking programs, specifically $300 million for the VAWA STOP program, $50 million for the VAWA Transitional Housing program and for $100 million for the Victims of Crime Act.  

·         “These funds will help ensure that victim service providers and law enforcement personnel do not lose their jobs during this period of economic crises when actually the need for services for victims is increasing. We need to ensure that there is staff on hand to help victims in crisis access services including medical attention as well as legal services.”

·         “Thank you.”

What happens next?

• The full Senate will vote on the bill by the end of the week.
• Once the Senate has passed their bill, select Members from the House and Senate will meet to negotiate on a final bill for the President to sign by mid-February.
• It is likely that the President will sign the bill into law as soon as he receives it.

We will need your help to make sure the full Senate agrees to the provisions passed by the Appropriations Committee.  The House Economic Stimulus Bill does not provide any specific money for domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking programs.  We need to make sure that when the House and the Senate meet to negotiate on their final bill, that vital funding for victim services is included in the bill. 

Any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at efern@... with any questions.  Thank you for all you do. 

 

-Terri

Terri L. Hamrick, MNM
Executive Director
Survivors, Inc.
Post Office Box 3572
Gettysburg, PA  17325
(717) 334-0589 Extension 22
Facsimile (717) 334-3576
Email:  Terri@...

 Visit us on the web!  http//:www.survivorsservices.org         

Mission Statement
Survivors supports those who experience domestic violence or sexual assault and strives to create a world in which violence against women and children is unthinkable.