SELECT COMMITTEE ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INVESTIGATES IMPACTS OF BUDGET CUTS TO DV SHELTERS
California Political Desk
October 07, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco), Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Domestic Violence, convened a hearing to investigate the devastating impacts of Governor Schwarzenegger´s $16 million cut to domestic violence shelters. Since the budget cuts, six domestic violence shelters have closed their doors and many more have had to scale back services. These shelters serve as a literal life-line to domestic violence victims and children escaping violent and abusive situations.
"If we take away a crucial service and safety net for victims of domestic violence, there will be, without doubt, an increase in violent crimes and murders in this state," said Assemblywoman Fiona Ma. "These shelters serve as a vital resource to domestic violence victims and the cuts must be restored."
Apart from providing housing for victims, shelters also provide important services such as individual and group counseling, legal services and advocacy, and assistance in permanent housing and medical assistance.
Assemblymembers Dave Jones (D-Sacramento) and Norma J. Torres (D-Ontario), members of the Select Committee on Domestic Violence, attended the hearing.
"Today we heard from survivors of domestic violence who underscored the critical role played by domestic violence shelters in helping them get away from terribly abusive situations," said Assemblymember Dave Jones. "The Governor's cuts to the domestic violence safety net was one of the cruelest cuts of all, leaving many victims no place to turn to for help. I join domestic violence shelters and domestic violence victims in urging the Governor to sign legislation that we will send him to restore funding for domestic violence shelters."
"Women and children who become destitute because they are forced to leave abusive homes are unquestionably among our most vulnerable. Governor Schwarzenegger should reconsider restoring funding for shelters that help victims in their moments of greatest need," said Assemblymember Norma J.Torres.
Assemblywoman Fiona Ma was joined by advocates and experts who shed light on the important role shelters serve in our communities and urged the Governor to restore funding immediately.
"I applaud Assemblywoman Ma and the Select Committee members for their leadership on this crucial issue," said Sue Else, president of the National Network to End Domestic Violence. "Demand for services is going up while funding is going down -- a deadly combination for those in abusive relationships. I urge lawmakers to do the right thing. By funding domestic violence services, California will ultimately realize critical savings in dollars and in lives. By securing funding, lawmakers will secure the promise of a future free from abuse and full of hope for so many Californians who suffer at the hands of someone who says, ´I love you.´"
"We brought our coalition´s member programs from all over the state today, to testify to the DV Select Committee about the importance of domestic violence shelter services," said Tara Shabazz, Executive Director of the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence (CPEDV). "We felt it was crucial for our state legislators to hear from direct service providers, some of whom may be their constituents, that domestic violence shelters save lives, and that state funding must be restored immediately."
The hearing followed a morning press conference and rally sponsored by the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence to kick off National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
"If we take away a crucial service and safety net for victims of domestic violence, there will be, without doubt, an increase in violent crimes and murders in this state," said Assemblywoman Fiona Ma. "These shelters serve as a vital resource to domestic violence victims and the cuts must be restored."
Apart from providing housing for victims, shelters also provide important services such as individual and group counseling, legal services and advocacy, and assistance in permanent housing and medical assistance.
Assemblymembers Dave Jones (D-Sacramento) and Norma J. Torres (D-Ontario), members of the Select Committee on Domestic Violence, attended the hearing.
"Today we heard from survivors of domestic violence who underscored the critical role played by domestic violence shelters in helping them get away from terribly abusive situations," said Assemblymember Dave Jones. "The Governor's cuts to the domestic violence safety net was one of the cruelest cuts of all, leaving many victims no place to turn to for help. I join domestic violence shelters and domestic violence victims in urging the Governor to sign legislation that we will send him to restore funding for domestic violence shelters."
"Women and children who become destitute because they are forced to leave abusive homes are unquestionably among our most vulnerable. Governor Schwarzenegger should reconsider restoring funding for shelters that help victims in their moments of greatest need," said Assemblymember Norma J.Torres.
Assemblywoman Fiona Ma was joined by advocates and experts who shed light on the important role shelters serve in our communities and urged the Governor to restore funding immediately.
"I applaud Assemblywoman Ma and the Select Committee members for their leadership on this crucial issue," said Sue Else, president of the National Network to End Domestic Violence. "Demand for services is going up while funding is going down -- a deadly combination for those in abusive relationships. I urge lawmakers to do the right thing. By funding domestic violence services, California will ultimately realize critical savings in dollars and in lives. By securing funding, lawmakers will secure the promise of a future free from abuse and full of hope for so many Californians who suffer at the hands of someone who says, ´I love you.´"
"We brought our coalition´s member programs from all over the state today, to testify to the DV Select Committee about the importance of domestic violence shelter services," said Tara Shabazz, Executive Director of the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence (CPEDV). "We felt it was crucial for our state legislators to hear from direct service providers, some of whom may be their constituents, that domestic violence shelters save lives, and that state funding must be restored immediately."
The hearing followed a morning press conference and rally sponsored by the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence to kick off National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
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