July 2, 2025
“The FY26 budget passed earlier this week by the State Legislature includes a nearly $7 million cut to funding that supports vitial services for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, as well as efforts to prevent future violence. As the statewide coalition against sexual assault and domestic violence, we are deeply distressed by this cut, which will imperil critical, often life-saving, support for survivors, force service providers into impossible decisions, and make all of our communities less safe.
The funding level in the Legislature’s final budget – lower than the Governor’s FY26 recommendation, as well as the budget bills passed independently by the House and Senate – will reduce the availability of critical services for survivors – including rape crisis center services, counseling and therapy, intimate partner abuse education, prevention programming, crisis intervention, housing and shelter support, and more.
We understand the need to reach agreement on a fiscally responsible state budget but – especially in a moment when our communities are facing unprecedented attacks at the federal level – it is more important than ever that we do everything we can to protect and support survivors. Moving forward, it is incumbent on our state elected officials to identify opportunities – including in any supplemental budget – to, at the very least, restore this essential funding and provide the resources necessary to help survivors find safety and healing and prevent future violence.”