Policy

Contact your state legislators today! Urge them to support additional funding for domestic violence services and prevention in the FY23 State Budget:

• A legislative add-on of $18M for  domestic violence services. 
• Allocate $10M to expand abuse/batterer intervention programming in every county. 
• Allocate $10M to invest in state mandated dating violence prevention education. 

Without the state’s support, programs will not be able to provide life-saving services to survivors and our communities. 

NJCEDV and its membership of 34 domestic violence providers and culturally specific organizations are partially funded through allocations made in the annual state budget through the Department of Children and Families’ Division on Women (DOW) to help ensure the availability of services in all 21 counties. 

• • The pandemic has had a dire impact on survivors of domestic violence.
  • COVID-19 never stopped advocates from serving survivors and communities.
  • Programs responded to 37% more hotline calls in 2021 when compared to 2020.
  • Programs provided shelter to 53% more victim in 2021 when compared to 2020.
  • Programs responded to this increasing need while also experiencing a 12% reduction in staffing.

NJCEDV supports legislation that: 

• Centers the experience and needs of survivors from marginalized communities including Black and brown survivors, undocumented survivors, LGBTQI+ survivors, survivors with disabilities, and survivors who have been criminalized.

• Improves access to services for all survivors.

• Ensures safe, affordable and quality housing for all survivors.

• Supports survivors’ economic safety and security.

• Develops abuse intervention programming and restorative practices in response domestic violence.