Senator Murray Applauds American Rescue Plan for Supporting Women and Families Experiencing Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Chair Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released the following statement on the inclusion of $200 million for the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, $200 million for sexual assault programs, and $50 million to support culturally-specific domestic violence and sexual assault programs, in the American Rescue Plan.

“As we respond to this health and economic crisis, we cannot brush aside the alarming rise of domestic violence and sexual assault incidents—or how for women of color, this crisis is even more dire. I’m glad the American Rescue Plan addresses this head on and will get resources to women and families who desperately need them—whether it be emotional support, crisis intervention, or safety planning. For women and families experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault, the crisis is far from over—and these funds will go a long way in helping to ensure they can stay safe, seek justice and heal.”

The American Rescue Plan includes $200 million for sexual assault programs, $200 million for the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act—including almost $35 million for tribal communities and $1 million for the National Domestic Violence Hotline and $1M for the Stronghearts Native Hotline—and $200 million for sexual assault programs. Additionally, the bill includes $50M to support culturally-specific domestic violence and sexual assault programs, to ensure that communities of color can access much-needed resources. The bill also includes $350 million for the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to provide resources to state child protection systems and community-based child abuse and neglect prevention programs that strengthen and support families.

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