Kaine Cosponsors Bipartisan Bill To Aid Survivors Of Domestic Violence

Bill Supports Survivors and their Dependents, Emergency Shelters, Critical Helpline and More

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine has joined a bipartisan group of his colleagues to cosponsor legislation to aid survivors of domestic violence by directing federal resources to emergency shelters, supportive programs, and the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

“An unconscionable gap remains between the need and availability of resources to support survivors of domestic violence,” Kaine said. “Too many have been left behind by inaction, and we need to continue to direct federal resources to address this devastating problem and lower the rate of domestic violence-related homicides in Virginia and across the country. This legislation is an important step forward.” 

Specifically, the legislation reauthorizes the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA), a historic law enacted in 1984 that directs funding to states and tribes to help provide supportive services such as shelter, counseling, legal assistance and more to survivors of domestic abuse and their dependents. Additionally, the bill funds prevention programs and 24-hour survivor assistance through the National Domestic Violence Hotline, a toll-free helpline in which highly-trained advocates offer survivors of relationship abuse assistance over the phone and through their website at http://www.thehotline.org/.

The legislation was originally sponsored by Senator Dean Heller (R-NV), and in addition to Kaine, has been cosponsored by Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chris Coons (D-DE), and John Cornyn (R-TX). 

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