The California Partnership to End Domestic Violence’s vision is “a California free from domestic violence.” We promote the collective voice of a diverse coalition of organizations and individuals, working to eliminate all forms of domestic violence. Every day, we inspire, inform and connect all those concerned with domestic violence, because together, we’re stronger.

Unfortunately, our vision of a state free from domestic violence is still just that: a vision for the future, not the reality of today. Today, the lives of far too many Californians are impacted by domestic violence, and the futures of too many children and families are endangered by this very real threat to their well-being.

The Partnership has long recognized the importance of prevention efforts, to ultimately end domestic violence. We have been part of an ongoing nationwide effort to strengthen prevention work. Just as prevention strategies have been effective in reducing impaired driving, smoking, and teen pregnancy, domestic violence and dating abuse prevention strategies, when properly resourced, can reduce the problem, save families and communities from harm, and reduce direct costs to the state as well as lost educational achievement and work productivity. There are now evidence-based and evidence-informed prevention strategies that have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing rates of dating abuse (the earliest form of domestic violence) and the attitudes and behaviors that contribute to it. At the Partnership, we work to advance effective teen dating violence prevention policies and programs through leadership, advocacy, and a statewide network of prevention advocates dedicated to promoting healthy relationships and preventing teen dating violence.

In addition to our work at the state level, there is a tremendous need for community based organizations to provide prevention programming in their local communities. Despite the need for prevention efforts, there are far too few funds available. The state currently utilizes some federal funds through the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) and a small amount from the State General Fund to support the Family Violence Prevention Program administered by the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). For FY 2012-2013 the combined total funding for this program was only $145,000 for the state. In addition, one-sixth of the fee charged to offenders when sentenced to probation for domestic violence is utilized by the California Department of Public Health for domestic violence prevention efforts. The amount is highly variable and has declined in recent years. A 2012 audit by the California State Auditor highlighted some of the challenges with the assessment and collection of these fees.

These small dollar amounts don’t go very far in a state as big and as diverse as California. For most shelters and service providers there are no dedicated domestic violence prevention dollars available, leaving them to try to carve out a portion of their general funding to support those efforts. But since all programs operate on shoestring budgets cobbled together that don’t come close to meeting the needs of victims in crisis, the decisions are unbelievably difficult. Do you spend dollars on resources for victims and children already in crisis? Hire one more advocate, provide additional transportation support, emergency hotel stays, or counseling sessions? Or do you use the funds for prevention efforts to lead to a broader change? How do you say no to the victim at your door, to support healthy relationship education, when both are critical to building a safe and healthy California? Programs must, and do, make these choices every single day.

There is so much more that can be done. Let’s invest in prevention and further California’s efforts to end this devastating violence.