TO: YWCA Advocates
FROM: YWCA USA Advocacy
DATE: November 4, 2015
SUBJECT: CALL NOW: VOCA at Risk
Dear YWCA Advocates,
As the largest network of domestic violence service providers in the United States, we are deeply concerned with projected cuts to the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). We are calling on you to help us protect this funding stream that is critical to the survival and sustainability of programs that provide counseling, shelter, and emergency services to victims of domestic and sexual violence across the country.
The current federal budget deal, the bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, includes a $1.5 billion cut from essential VOCA funds which are allocated for services to victims of domestic and sexual violence. If this deal moves forward, YWCAs across the country are at risk of losing VOCA funds each year, which could result in fewer services and even program closures. We cannot allow this to happen.
Call your Member of Congress today and tell them to make sure VOCA remains funded at its current level. Suggested message:
"Do not reduce the funds allocated for the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). YWCA [Local Association Name] counts on VOCA to fund direct services in your district, including [emergency shelter, crisis counseling, legal assistance, victim advocacy, and rape crisis] programs.
VOCA funding is unique in that it comes from criminal fines, not taxpayer money. The amount of money allocated to VOCA-funded programs is already capped each year, resulting in inadequate funding to already underserved programs. If VOCA is cut from the 2015 level, the impact will be devastating. These cuts will shortchange needed YWCA programs by limiting the number of victims we can serve, cuts in staff that provide critical services, and reduce the number of services and programs we can provide to victims of violence.
In this year's appropriations process and beyond, Congress must maintain its commitment to helping the most vulnerable victims leave abusive relationships and rebuild their lives. Reducing VOCA funds will only turn back the clock on victims. Victims in ____ are counting on sustained VOCA funds. With over $12 billion in the VOCA fund, this is not the time to cut funding for victim services.”
Find your Member of Congress by clicking here.
Suggested social media engagement:
Your voice is critical to this dialogue. Reach out to your Members of Congress by phone, email, and through social media! You can tweet directly at your Member of Congress through http://www.soundoffatcongress.org/ - just enter your zip code and address, and it will identify your representative.
Sample messages to tweet at your representative:
- Please protect the Victims of Crime Act. Rape crisis centers need to help victims on waiting lists. #DontCutVOCA
- Domestic violence victims need VOCA to stay safe. Too many are turned away. #DontCutVOCA #endDVnow
- @(Your YWCA handle) depends on VOCA to keep its victim services programs running. Please #DontCutVOCA - lives depend on it.
- @YWCAUSA is the largest network of #DV services in the US, we need VOCA to keep our doors open. #DontCutVOCA
- #DontCutVOCA when the FY15 increase is just starting to help hurting victims.
- #DontCutVOCA when survivors of sexual assault are finding courage to seek services.
- @(your YWCA handle) can't afford to turn victims of violence away, cuts in VOCA don't give us a choice. #DontCutVOCA
Key Appropriations contacts:
- Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY) - @HalRogersKY
- Rep. John Culberson (R-TX) - @CongCulberson
- Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) - @SpeakerRyan
- Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) - @SenatorBarb
- Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) - @SenShelby
- Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) - @SenateMajLdr
Sincerely,
YWCA USA Advocacy
#NationalCommunications