24-Hour Helpline
(920) 729-5727
Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services
P.O. Box 99
Neenah, WI 54957-0099
Phone: (920) 235-5998
Fax: (920) 729-0690
New Report Shows Demand for Domestic Violence Services is Greater than Resources Available to Meet Victims' Needs
For Immediate Release
Menasha, WI - February 7, 2008 -- September 25, 2007 revealed some critical information on the daily challenges faced by domestic violence programs across the state and the country. On that day, Wisconsin domestic violence programs served over 1,500 adults and children. Nationwide, the number of victims served was more than 53,000. However, a significant number of requests--more than 263 in Wisconsin and 7,700 across the country--went unmet in that one 24-hour period alone because domestic violence agencies lacked the funding and staff to meet the demand.
The new data comes from the release of the National Network to End Domestic Violence's second National Census of Domestic Violence Services. In Wisconsin, 58 percent of programs participated in the census, so the state figures reported are only a fraction of total victims served that day.
Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services was one of the participating Wisconsin programs. The agency's Emergency Shelter and 24-Hour Helpline program served 50 adults and children in shelter and responded to103 hotline calls; the agency also served 20 women and children through transitional housing during the 24-hour survey period, and 53 individuals through advocacy services such as one-on-one and group support and legal advocacy.
Says Julie Fevola, Christine Ann's Executive Director, "the demand for services is great, and this count was an opportunity for all of us that work in the domestic violence field to highlight what a "typical" day is like for a domestic abuse program. Thousands of women and children are being served each day across Wisconsin and the country. Given the cuts in funding, that's a message we need to get out."
Approximately 61% of unmet requests nationwide were for emergency shelter and transitional housing. With recent cuts to critical programs funded by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), domestic violence advocates worry about their ability to respond to all requests for help.
Indeed, for Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services, the agency was unable to serve 5 families through emergency shelter. "Several times a year, client demand exceeds available shelter space." says Fevola. We accommodate as many people as we can and then we have to rely on our neighboring domestic violence programs and local emergency shelters to help us out until space becomes available."
"Domestic violence programs are already struggling to meet the huge demand for shelter and advocacy services," said Patti Seger, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence. "Fortunately, this year state-level elected leaders approved the first increase in basic services funding for local programs since 1992. However, because of cuts in the 2008 federal budget, domestic violence programs will lose resources needed to help victims escape abusers."
The census collected a national, unduplicated count of adults and children who received life-saving services from domestic violence programs on September 25, 2007. During the 24-hour survey period 1,560 adults and children received domestic violence services in the state, including:
- More than 696 victims who sought refuge in emergency shelters or transitional housing; and
- 864 who received services such as counseling, legal advocacy, and children's support groups.
- In addition, more than 682 calls for help were answered by state crisis hotlines on September 25th
The NCDVS is the most recent data documenting the number of individuals served by domestic violence programs. More than 1,300 (69%) domestic violence programs from across the country participated in the census, giving advocates and researchers a glimpse into the number of individuals seeking services, the types of services requested and the number of service requests that went unmet due to a lack of resources.
Complete results from the National Census of Domestic Violence Services, including state level results are available online at: http://www.nnedv.org/census
Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services' mission is to prevent domestic abuse and violence and to provide intervention and safety to all individuals affected by domestic violence. In addition to emergency shelter, the agency provides comprehensive programs and services in Winnebago and Green Lake Counties.
Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services, Inc. is a United Way agency.
Contact:
Julie Fevola
Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Service
(920) 729-5727
www.christineann.net
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