Save Lives, Strengthen Communities by Joining on June 5th for #DayofAction
On Thursday, June 5th, individuals and organizations across the country will join together for a National Day of Action to demand protection and investment in federal funding for domestic violence and sexual assault services and prevention. These critical services are a lifeline for victims, and right now they are at risk.
- Federal grants are essential to the infrastructure that supports over five million adult and child survivors annually—providing emergency shelter, legal advocacy, trauma counseling, and other lifesaving services.
- Without federal funding, critical services will vanish—programs will be forced to lay off staff, reduce capacity, or shut down entirely, leaving survivors without support in their time of greatest need.
- Delays are devastating. Even a few weeks of a funding delay equals reduced services, layoffs and eventually program closures.
- Investing in victim services is both lifesaving and cost-effective
- Domestic violence costs the U.S. $12 billion annually in healthcare, legal proceedings, and lost productivity.
- Rape costs survivors over $122,000 each. Across all victims, sexual violence costs the U.S. economy nearly $3.1 trillion.
- Research found that in its first five years, the Violence Against Women Act—prevented $14.8 billion in victimization costs.
- Prevention is highly cost-effective, delivering $6–$12 in savings for every $1 invested.
- Continuing to invest in a reliable, stable federal response to the crimes of domestic violence and sexual assault isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s a strategic move toward a healthier, more prosperous future where fewer lives are impacted by violence and communities can not only become safer, but ultimately thrive.
- Research shows that when victims have access to the services they need, they are more likely to heal, work with law enforcement to pursue justice, and reclaim their lives. Federal funding plays a vital role in protecting survivors of these horrific crimes—offering them not just safety, but the opportunity to rebuild and thrive. When that happens, our nation sees lower long-term costs, better public health, and safer communities.
- Rape crisis programs and domestic violence shelters, including culturally specific programs, form essential components of a comprehensive response to combatting violent crime in their communities.
- Policymakers support sexual assault and domestic violence Services. Over 100 bipartisan members of Congress sent a Dear Colleague letter to Attorney General Bondi asking for the restoration of OVW grant opportunities.
- Over 600 local, state, and national victim services organizations sent a letter to Attorney General Bondi expressing concern about DOJ funding
Federal funding is essential to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and the programs that support them. These resources provide critical services that ensure safety, stability, and recovery for victims and their children. Any change or reduction to this funding would jeopardize these vital services, leaving survivors without the life-saving support they need to escape violence, recover, and heal.
We need your help to urge Congress to protect and invest in our funding!
For more information on how cuts to funding will directly impact Someplace Safe, contact our Executive Director, Sheila Korby, at 218-739-3486 or sheila.k@someplacesafe.info. To learn more about ways to support the work of Someplace Safe in our communities, visit our website.
