Legislation for Domestic Violence Shelters to be Signed
California Political Desk
October 20, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Nearly three months after Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Los Angeles) eliminated all state funding for domestic violence shelters, tomorrow he will sign emergency legislation introduced by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) to restore $16.3 million for 94 shelters and centers throughout California.
"Until we eliminate domestic violence, funding for shelters should never be on the chopping block," said Yee. "While I am pleased that the Governor will finally help restore this funding, I am still dismayed that he would put women and children at risk in the first place. It is unacceptable to force victims into a choice between homelessness and returning to their abuser."
"We must continue our efforts to ensure that shelters are protected and funding is increased in future budgets," said Yee. "Failure to save our domestic violence shelters will only result in increased health care, law enforcement and other costs to the state. But more critically, it will put victims of domestic violence and their children in grave danger."
Yee´s legislation – supported by statewide and local domestic violence prevention agencies – allocates $16.3 million from the State´s Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Fund to the Domestic Violence Program. The fund will be repaid from the General Fund within three years. Last week, award-winning recording artist Moby joined Senator Yee in San Francisco to urge Governor Schwarzenegger to sign the bill.
The Domestic Violence Program funds allow local agencies to provide emergency shelter, transitional housing, and legal advocacy, as well as assistance with restraining orders, counseling and other vital support services. Domestic violence shelters are often the only thing standing between victims and grave physical danger, and California´s communities cannot sustain their loss. For a list of shelters and programs at risk of closure, visit: http://www.safenetwork.net/GrantAdmin/GranteesList.aspx.
Over 2,600 supporters of the legislation have joined a Facebook page – SAVE Domestic Violence Shelters – to encourage passage of the bill.
According to a national census of domestic violence services, in just one day, over 7,700 requests for services went unmet due to a lack of resources. When the resources do not exist for victims to receive domestic violence services, they are often left with no choice but to risk their own lives by returning to their abusers.
If you are a victim of domestic violence or if you want to report an incident of domestic violence, call the 24-hour-a-day toll-free National Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), 1-800-787-3224 (TDD) or the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence at 1-800-524-4765.
"Until we eliminate domestic violence, funding for shelters should never be on the chopping block," said Yee. "While I am pleased that the Governor will finally help restore this funding, I am still dismayed that he would put women and children at risk in the first place. It is unacceptable to force victims into a choice between homelessness and returning to their abuser."
"We must continue our efforts to ensure that shelters are protected and funding is increased in future budgets," said Yee. "Failure to save our domestic violence shelters will only result in increased health care, law enforcement and other costs to the state. But more critically, it will put victims of domestic violence and their children in grave danger."
Yee´s legislation – supported by statewide and local domestic violence prevention agencies – allocates $16.3 million from the State´s Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Fund to the Domestic Violence Program. The fund will be repaid from the General Fund within three years. Last week, award-winning recording artist Moby joined Senator Yee in San Francisco to urge Governor Schwarzenegger to sign the bill.
The Domestic Violence Program funds allow local agencies to provide emergency shelter, transitional housing, and legal advocacy, as well as assistance with restraining orders, counseling and other vital support services. Domestic violence shelters are often the only thing standing between victims and grave physical danger, and California´s communities cannot sustain their loss. For a list of shelters and programs at risk of closure, visit: http://www.safenetwork.net/GrantAdmin/GranteesList.aspx.
Over 2,600 supporters of the legislation have joined a Facebook page – SAVE Domestic Violence Shelters – to encourage passage of the bill.
According to a national census of domestic violence services, in just one day, over 7,700 requests for services went unmet due to a lack of resources. When the resources do not exist for victims to receive domestic violence services, they are often left with no choice but to risk their own lives by returning to their abusers.
If you are a victim of domestic violence or if you want to report an incident of domestic violence, call the 24-hour-a-day toll-free National Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), 1-800-787-3224 (TDD) or the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence at 1-800-524-4765.
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