Skip to main content Skip to site navigation

Joint Action Alert from the Partnership and California Coalition Against Sexual Assault
Ask Senators Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris to sign onto Dear Colleague Letters Protecting Funding for Survivors

Post

Take action to make sure the voices of survivors are heard and that support services are available! Dear Colleague Letters in support of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) and Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) and Rape Prevention Education (RPE) are now circulating in the Senate and available for Senators to sign onto this week. These acts establish funding streams and support innovations in responding to and preventing sexual and domestic violence. Now, as always, it is important to continue to challenge our systems to better meet the needs of survivors, especially the most marginalized, silenced and vulnerable survivors.
 
In coordination with our national partners we ask that you make calls to both Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris to ask them to join these letters. California Senators can lead the nation in centering the unique needs of sexual assault and domestic violence survivors and being champions for the systemic changes necessary to end sexual and domestic violence.
 
VAWA and VOCA (CJS letters):   
California Senator Dianne Feinstein and Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) are leading the VAWA and VOCA Dear Colleague letters this year. The VAWA letter details the need to prioritize VAWA programs and funding sources with a focus on the un-met needs of survivors. The VOCA letter encourages appropriators to establish a funding stream for Tribes, highlighting the needs of historically underserved communities in responding to and preventing sexual violence and domestic violence. Deadline: Wednesday, May 17.
 
VAWA Letter
VOCA Letter
 
FVPSA, RPE, NDVH, DELTA and VAW Health (LHHS letter): 
Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Bob Casey (D-PA) are leading a separate Labor, Health and Human Services (LHHS) letter that focuses on FVPSA, RPE, the National Domestic Violence Hotline, DELTA Domestic Violence Prevention, and VAW Health. This letter details prevention efforts and advances in improving services for survivors and expanding prevention programing to men and boys as well as public health approaches to end sexual assault. Deadline: Friday, May 19.
 
FVPSA, RPE, NDVH, DELTA, VAW Health Letter

ACTION:

  • Call Senator Dianne Feinstein at (415) 393-0707 and ask her to sign onto the FVPSA, RPE, NDVH, DELTA and VAW Health (LHHS letter)
    • NOTE: Senator Feinstein is leading the VAWA and VOCA letter this year. Please thank her for championing these efforts.
  • Call Senator Kamala Harris at (916) 448-2787 and ask her to sign onto all three letters: the VAWA and VOCA (CJS letters) , and the FVPSA, RPE, NDVH, DELTA and VAW Health (LHHS letter)

DEADLINES:

  • May 17 for the VAWA and VOCA letter and 
  • May 19 for the FVPSA/RPE letters.

 

In solidarity,
California Partnership to End Domestic Violence and California Coalition Against Sexual Assault