FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

National Domestic Violence Hotline Statement in Response to Renewed HHS Funding

October 1, 2025, WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Family Violence Prevention and Services (OFVPS) announced the National Domestic Violence Hotline (The Hotline) will be awarded the federal grant to continue operating The Hotline’s 24/7 services for victims of domestic violence and their families. The award also includes first-time funding through the U.S. Department of Defense to provide specialized services to military families experiencing domestic violence.

In response to the renewed funding, The Hotline’s CEO, Katie Ray-Jones, issued the following statement:

“We are thrilled to hear that our funding has been renewed and are grateful to the President and our Congressional champions, including from our home state of Texas Sen. John Cornyn and Rep. Lloyd Doggett. We thank HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Acting Assistant Secretary Andrew Gradison for the continued investment in The Hotline which ensures victims have access to the lifesaving services and support they need to pursue safety. The additional funding to support military families will help us continue to ensure we reach as many survivors as possible, regardless of where they live. This continued funding is a victory for victims and survivors across this country.”

Since The Hotline’s inception nearly 30 years ago, we have been granted HHS funding to serve over 7.5 million people. Every day, The Hotline hears from victims and survivors who share that The Hotline is a lifeline for them in times of need, as one survivor shared:

“The level of skill of the people that answer the phone when I used to call you (The Hotline) really helped me. They said things to me that nobody else was saying, and every time I spoke to them, I could feel an internal light bulb go off in my head, helping me to trust my instincts. I don’t know where my life would be today if it had not been for your hotline.”

“We are honored to continue this important work to center the safety of those impacted by relationship abuse 24/7, and yet the road ahead means much more work needs to be done,” Ray-Jones said “One in four women and one in seven men in the U.S. will be the victims of severe physical abuse from an intimate partner— this is an unacceptable epidemic in this country. But this crisis is 100% preventable. It will take all of us to fully realize our vision of a world where all relationships are healthy, safe and free from violence.”