Representative Moore praised for her leadership
For Immediate Release: September 30, 2010
Contact: Tony Gibart, WCADV 608.255.0539 x 310
Madison, WI – The Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WCADV) and the National Network to End Domestic Violence applaud Representative Gwen Moore (D-WI) and the U.S. House of Representatives for passing S. 3817, a bill to reauthorize the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVSPA) as part of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA). Now heading for the Senate, this bill authorizes a vital federal investment in domestic violence shelters.
“We commend Representative Moore, who is a remarkable leader and a passionate advocate for domestic violence victims,” said Patti Seger, Executive Director of WCADV. “She has been a driving force behind the reauthorization of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act. Victims in Wisconsin and across the nation will be safer because Representative Moore has taken a stand against violence.”
In November 2009, Moore introduced a version of the bill, which garnered the support of more than 120 bipartisan co-sponsors. She has also led the congressional effort to increase the annual funding appropriated to the program, to ensure that it reaches its full potential.
“Representative Moore is an amazing Member of Congress to have on our side,” said Sue Else, President of the National Network to End Domestic Violence. “Her bold leadership and persistent pursuit of justice for victims helped to push this bill over the finish line. We are extremely grateful for her tireless advocacy.”
FVPSA is the only dedicated federal funding source for domestic violence shelters and services. For 25 years, FVPSA-funded programs have been supporting emergency shelters, crisis hotlines, counseling services, victim assistance initiatives and programs for underserved communities. The bill expired in 2008. The new bill builds upon FVPSA’s core strengths and includes critical improvements that will allow more victims to receive the services they desperately need. Additionally, the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) improves services for both victims of child abuse and families that are experiencing domestic violence and child maltreatment.
Though progress has been made, domestic violence remains a serious problem in Wisconsin. In one day in 2009, domestic violence programs in Wisconsin served 1,900 victims, while an additional 273 requests for services went unmet, due to shortages of funding, staff, and space. Additionally, last year saw a ten-year high in domestic violence-related deaths.
Nationally, there are more than 2,000 community-based domestic violence programs providing emergency shelter to approximately 300,000 victims and their children every year. Local domestic violence programs also provide non-residential services such as counseling, legal assistance and prevention education to millions of men, women, and children each year.
WCADV and NNEDV also thank Representatives Tammy Baldwin and Steve Kagen for co-sponsoring the reauthorization of FVPSA.
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