For Release on March 14, 2024

AUSTIN, TX – The National Domestic Violence Hotline (The Hotline) believes that President Biden’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget is a strong statement showcasing critical investments for essential domestic violence programs and services aimed at transforming and expanding systems to better support survivors of domestic violence. Notably, the President’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget allocates $21 million for The Hotline when the organization continues to receive record-breaking calls, texts, and chats from survivors seeking support.

Katie Ray-Jones, CEO of the National Domestic Violence Hotline, expressed gratitude for President Biden’s budget, stating, “We appreciate the thoughtful investments in programs that comprehensively serve survivors, including The Hotline, to sustain the capacity for services and support. Survivors across this country need more support than ever, and investments in life-saving resources like The Hotline are critical to ensuring their path to a safer future.”

The Hotline plays a critical role in offering a lifeline to those facing abusive relationships, providing information and resources to help survivors break free from an abusive partner. In collaboration with love is respect, its youth-oriented prevention helpline, The Hotline has collectively addressed over 7 million calls, chats, and texts from people seeking support and safety since 1996. While The Hotline understands fiscal restraints on the FY 2025 budget, additional funding is necessary to address The Hotline’s heightened call volume, which reached an all-time historic high in 2023. In fact, nearly twice as many people contact The Hotline each day as compared to before the pandemic. This surge highlights the urgent need for increased resources and funding to continue providing support to survivors on their journey towards safety and healing. The Hotline also supports operations of the StrongHearts Native Helpline, addressing the unique challenges faced by Native Americans and Alaskan Natives, and the Abused Deaf Women’s Advocacy Services, empowering Deaf and DeafBlind survivors.

President Biden’s budget also provides level funding for The Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) at $240 million. FVPSA provides life-saving access to emergency shelters and supportive services around the country, support for Tribes, state domestic violence coalitions, and essential issue resource centers. This funding is instrumental in addressing the complex needs of survivors and ensuring a comprehensive approach to addressing violence.

Further, the $7.3 billion legislative proposal to replenish and reform the Crime Victims Fund will be instrumental in addressing the victim services funding gap that programs are facing across the whole country. The Hotline is also grateful for the thoughtful addition of safe leave in a national, comprehensive paid family and medical leave program and the increased investment in programs supported by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

Despite the escalating demand for services, funding has not kept pace with the magnitude of the issue. While The Hotline actively engages in private sector fundraising, including contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporate partners, federal investment remains crucial. It enables the organization to leverage funding from public and private partnerships to expand capacity and infrastructure, serving more survivors and growing its youth prevention and healthy relationships program.

Each investment in survivor services is a lifeline and a pathway to healing and safety. The Hotline strongly urges the continued support of these vital programs to create a world where all relationships are positive, healthy, and free from violence.

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The National Domestic Violence Hotline envisions a world where all relationships are positive, healthy, and free from violence. If you or someone you know is experiencing relationship abuse in any form, help is available. The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides free, confidential support 24/7/365. Text START to 88788, call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), or chat with us online at TheHotline.org. You are not alone.