FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 8, 2025

Contact: press@democracyforward.org 

Rhode Island — A federal court today issued a preliminary order blocking the Trump-Vance administration from enforcing many of the new unlawful restrictions on grants from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women. The ruling is a major relief for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and the state coalitions, service providers and community organizations that support them.

The court’s decision halts dangerous new requirements that made it impossible for many grantees to operate legally or effectively. These restrictions threatened to cut off life-saving resources to survivors, especially those from marginalized communities.

Seventeen state coalitions challenged the unlawful restrictions, arguing that the administration had overstepped its authority and violated statutory requirements established by the Violence Against Women Act. 

After taking office in January, the administration issued a series of executive orders directing agency heads to impose conditions on federal funding, including to curtail diversity, equity, and inclusion programs that the administration deems “illegal” and “immoral” and efforts that recognize and respect people regardless of gender identity. 

The group of state domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions includes the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault, DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence, End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin: The Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence, Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Jane Doe Inc. (the Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence), Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence, Montana Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, ValorUS, Violence Free Minnesota, Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance, and the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault. 

The coalition issued the following statement:

“We welcome the court’s decision to defend survivors from the unlawful actions of this administration. This order is a critical step toward protecting survivors and ensuring that communities across the country can continue to provide the services Congress mandated. The administration’s attempt to politicize essential funding that supports survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault was not just unlawful, it was cruel. We will continue to be alongside survivors in fighting for justice and accountability.”

Plaintiffs are represented by Kristin Bateman and Robin Thurston of Democracy Forward, Jacobson Lawyers Group, Lynette Labinger for the ACLU of Rhode Island, the National Women’s Law Center, and Amy Romero for the Lawyers’ Committee for Rhode Island.

The case is Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, et al. v. Bondi, et al. in the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island.

Read the complaint here.

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ValorUS® (VALOR) is a California-based, national anti-sexual violence organization and California’s sexual assault coalition, representing the 84 rape crisis center programs across the state. Since our founding in 1980, we have continued to build dynamic relationships across a diverse range of communities, institutions and systems, and mobilize our network of survivors and advocates to influence change. Through advancing equity, leadership, prevention, and advocacy, we are fearlessly pursuing a world free from violence where the dignity of every person is valued and respected. For more information, visit valor.us. 

The California Partnership to End Domestic Violence (the Partnership) works to prevent and end domestic violence in California by mobilizing over 1,000 survivors, advocates, organizations, and allies. Via public policy, prevention, communications, and community-based strategic engagement, we strive to build healthy relationships at all levels by eliminating the injustices which perpetuate cycles of violence, elevating and expanding opportunities for innovative solutions that center survivors, and building and funding support for local programs using a healing lens. For more information, visit cpedv.org.

Democracy Forward Foundation is a national legal organization that advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy, public education, and regulatory engagement. For more information, please visit www.democracyforward.org.