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Financial Abuse: the Hidden Barrier for Victims of Domestic Violence
April 26, 2013
Bruises, broken bones and psychological scars are what most people think about when they hear of domestic violence. What many don't know is that victims of domestic violence often suffer overwhelming financial losses caused by an intimate partner. Forcing the victim to leave job after job, getting her fired, running up high family debt, and hiding or stealing joint assets raise barriers for a woman trying to break free. The result of financial abuse can be damaged work histories, ruined credit scores, homelessness, and sometimes, abject poverty. This makes it hard to leave an abusive relationship and for those who do manage to escape, the financial damage can last for years; long after the bruises have healed.
NNEDV Encourages Senate to Protect Victims from Gun Violence
April 17, 2013
NNEDV anticipates votes in the U.S. Senate this afternoon on firearms legislation, which would be a critical step in protecting victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking from gun violence. More than three women a day, on average, are killed by an intimate partner, and guns play a large role in the level of lethality. Access to firearms dramatically increases the risk of intimate partner homicide, compared to instances where there are no weapons, and abusers who possess guns tend to inflict the most severe abuse on their partners. "People are fed up with violence in this country. Fed up with fear and fed up with anger. We know the statistics, we know the solution," said Kim Gandy, NNEDV President and CEO. "Now we just need Senators to vote to protect women's lives." The Toomey-Manchin amendment to expand background checks needs 60 votes to pass.
President's 2014 Budget Proposal Would Restore and Increase Resources for Victims
April 11, 2013
Yesterday, President Obama released his fiscal year 2014 budget proposal, which includes desperately needed investments in the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) and the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) shelter funding. The President's budget would release $800 million from the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) fund dedicated to direct services for victims of crime, including survivors of domestic and sexual violence. The budget proposal would also restore funding for the recently renewed Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Resources for domestic violence shelters, funded by the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA), would be restored and increased by $6 million in this budget. "At a time when fiscal decisions are tough, we are reassured by the continued support of President Obama and Vice President Biden for lifesaving programs that address violence against women," said Kim Gandy, NNEDV's President and CEO.
