Wisconsin’s Anti-Violence Coalitions Commend Assembly for Increasing Funding for Sexual Assault/Domestic Abuse Victim Services

Madison – February 22, 2024 –Black and Brown Womyn Power Coalition (BBWPC), End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault applaud the Wisconsin State Assembly for passing legislation that increases funding for sexual assault and domestic abuse services. This increase comes at a critical time for programs in Wisconsin who are facing a devastating 70% reduction in Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding in October.

The consequences of the reduction in VOCA awards could force programs to lay off staff, reduce services, and/or shut their doors. The impact would fall hardest on the smallest programs, including those serving communities of color as well as those in rural and low-income communities. Potentially thousands of victims statewide could lose access to lifesaving and life-sustaining child abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, and other victim services. Without access to these critical services, the real-time impact will not only be felt by individuals and families but will also ripple through our communities.

The following has been offered as a joint statement from the three anti-violence coalitions:

“The passage of Assembly Bill 940 brings us one step closer to preventing the catastrophic impact of a 70% cut to services. We would like to thank Senator James and Agard, and Representatives Snyder and Conley, along with the long list of bipartisan co-sponsors for their advocacy on behalf of survivors. We call on the Senate to follow the Assembly’s lead by taking action and passing this legislation.”

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.