National Domestic Violence Hotline Applauds House Appropriations Committee Passage of Bill Supporting Significant Funding Increases for Domestic Violence Survivors
FY 2022 Labor, Health and Human Services House Proposal includes $26 Million for the National Domestic Violence Hotline

For Immediate Release: July 16, 2021

AUSTIN — Today the House Appropriations Committee passed its fiscal year 2022 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies spending measure, which includes historic investments in funding for programs and services to support domestic violence survivors and their families. This includes $436 million to the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) with $26 million allocated to the National Domestic Violence Hotline (The Hotline). This bill, which includes significant increases from previously allocated funds, will allow  service providers around the country providing critical support to domestic and family violence survivors to respond to the crisis of domestic violence with increased resource and expanded capacity to meet the needs of survivors.

This legislation reflects the same investment in survivor-centered care as President Biden’s FY 2022 budget proposal. Funding at this level will help The Hotline increase capacity through investments in staffing, technology, and operations to meet the increased need for 24/7 support for survivors of domestic violence and their loved ones. In 2020, The Hotline received 636,968 contacts from survivors and their loved ones looking to support them. Since 2015, The Hotline’s contact volume has increased by 46%.

“We are grateful to the committee members’ continued commitment to survivors through the increased investment in FVPSA, which will allow more survivors to access critical services and programs to better meet the needs of survivors and their loved ones,” said Katie Ray-Jones, CEO of The Hotline. “Survivors continue to encounter increased barriers to safety and support that were created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The proposed funding level for The Hotline and family violence prevention programs is critical in responding to the challenge of helping survivors find secure housing, recover from financial abuse and keep their families safe. We look forward to working with the committee as the bill moves to the floor of the House of Representatives and with the Senate to ensure passage of this critical funding for survivors and the support they need.”

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For twenty-five years, the National Domestic Violence Hotline has answered the call – over 5.6 million calls, chats, and texts to date – of those affected by relationship abuse. As the only 24/7/365 national service provider offering services via call, chat, and text, we work to shine a light on domestic violence by supporting and advocating for survivors, providing hope in times of crisis, and promoting healthy relationships for all.

From our crisis and intervention hotline, to our unprecedented data on the state of domestic violence, to prevention programs like love is respect, The Hotline works at every level to ensure a future where all relationships are positive, healthy, and free from violence. To learn more, visit TheHotline.org