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Representatives Judy Biggert (R-IL), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Gregorio Sablan (I-NMI), and Aaron Schock (R-IL) have introduced the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) Reauthorization Act of 2009. FVPSA is the only source of federal funding specifically dedicated to the nation’s approximately 2,000 domestic violence shelters and programs that address both the urgent and long-term needs of victims of violence. Its authorization expired in 2008.

The FVPSA Reauthorization Act of 2009 would continue and update FVPSA funding at $250 million per year, and create grants for organizations that target traditionally underserved communities, including communities of color. The new legislation also aims to improve the National Domestic Violence Hotline, so tools like instant and text messaging can be available to a larger portion of the population, particularly youth victims of dating violence. In addition, it contains new programs to enable shelters to tailor programs to children exposed to domestic violence.

“Victims of domestic violence should never be forced to go back to their abusers because they don’t have access to an emergency shelter or because they are worried about their financial stability if they leave,” Representative Moore said. “Calls for help have skyrocketed over the past year as the economy has suffered, and we have a duty to help these victims and their kids find safety and rebuild their lives. This legislation provides the critical resources that make shelters and lifesaving services available to victims.”

“It is absolutely critical that domestic violence centers throughout the country have the necessary funding to operate,” said Representative Schock. “Not only does this legislation ensure they will have the resources to function, it expands essential services for victims, teens and children by specializing their programs and utilizing new technologies. All too often, children who have been exposed to the horrors of domestic violence perpetuate the cycle of abuse. This legislation enables shelters to tailor their programs to prevent abuse before it starts.”

“The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, one of several US territories, currently has one shelter to serve a population of 60,000 residents,” Representative Sablan said. “Shelters in most U.S. territories are even more underfunded than those in the states, and are often required to serve more victims. This legislation provides critically needed resources to territories like the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Guam, and will allow territories to compete for outreach grants so that they can better serve their diverse communities.”

“Domestic, dating and sexual violence are problems of epidemic proportions in this country, endangering millions of victims and their children,” said Family Violence Prevention Fund President Esta Soler. “We are grateful to Representatives Biggert, Moore, Sablan and Schock for drafting a strong bill that will help those who urgently need it, and for championing it in the House of Representatives. Passage should be a high priority for Congress, because every member has constituents who urgently need the life-saving services FVPSA supports. We urge the House of Representatives to move quickly to pass this law and to authorize it at the proposed level of $250 million, and the Senate to do the same.”