Courtney Helps Pass Bill to Enhance Resources for Victims of Domestic Violence
WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-02), voted to pass the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act (H.R. 2119). In response to the sharp increase in intimate partner violence that has occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, H.R. 2119 represents a comprehensive reauthorization of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA)—the first federal law to provide resources for survivors of domestic violence nearly 40 years ago—and would enhance and refocus federal investment to address intimate partner violence. As a senior member of the House Education and Labor Committee, Courtney supported H.R. 2119 and helped prepare it for House passage today when he voted to pass the bill out of Committee on July 15th. The Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act was introduced with bipartisan co-sponsors, and passed the House yesterday with support from both sides of the aisle.
"We know the demand for mental health services skyrocketed during COVID-19, and tragically so have instances of domestic and intimate partner violence," said Congressman Courtney. "Back in 2019, Connecticut was already bursting at the seams working with an average of 40,000 victims of domestic and dating violence each year. That number has only grown nationwide, and we're beginning to see even more hidden cases emerge as the recovery continues. The Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act is bipartisan—it was introduced with original co-sponsors from both sides of the aisle—and it would steer more resources into programs that are dedicated to helping women, parents and kids, and all Americans make it safely out of bad situations. Lots of issues have become needlessly partisan in Washington these days, but helping people in danger shouldn't be one of them. Glad to help pass this bill, and glad to see it done on a bipartisan basis."
The Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act would modernize and adequately fund FVPSA programming to help stop intimate partner violence from happening in the first place, and would help survivors get the resources they need. Read more about H.R. 2119 below.
More Information on the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has increased the risk for intimate partner violence and disrupted services that offer protection and support to survivors. As a result, an already quiet crisis has become even harder to track and address. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one in four women and nearly one in ten men have reported experiencing some form of intimate partner violence in their lifetime.
According to the National Network to End Domestic Violence, however, resources aren't keeping up with demand. In just one day in 2020, domestic violence programs were unable to meet more than 11,000 requests from survivors of domestic violence for shelter and supportive services—a nearly 18% increase in unmet requests in just two years.
The Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act would reauthorize the FVPSA in order to:
- Shift investments to increase prevention efforts, therefore reducing the rate of intimate partner violence and decreasing the funding needs for support services
- Increase dedicated resources for over-represented and underserved populations, including communities of color, Tribal communities, people with disabilities, and others
- Ensure survivors can receive culturally appropriate, accessible services
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