FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 26, 2023 

Press Contact – Grace Glaser, Public Affairs & Policy Manager: gglaser@valor.us, (916) 446-2520 x323

Governor and California Legislature Fail to Fund Vital Prevention Programs 

SACRAMENTO – A coalition of more than 100 organizations including the Alliance for Boys and Men of Color (ABMoC), the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence (the Partnership), the Culturally Responsive Domestic Violence Network (CRDVN), and ValorUS® (VALOR) along with budget champion Assembly Member Reggie Jones-Sawyer, are deeply disappointed in the Governor and California Legislature’s failure to prioritize and fund programs that prevent and end sexual and domestic violence.  

In 2021, California granted $15 million in one-time funding to support communities in preventing sexual and domestic violence. That funding is set to expire April 2024. Without prospect of renewed funding, 46 anti-violence programs in California relying on this state support are being forced to make decisions to shut down their prevention programs resulting in layoffs or scramble at this 11th hour and find alternative funding to support their ongoing work. 

“This is an absolute horror story.  They want us to work to end sexual violence, to educate our communities, and do everything we can with minimal funds…and we see prevention working,” shared Christine Castillo, Executive Director at Verity.  

Prevention works by changing the conditions and norms that create space and opportunity for domestic and sexual violence to occur. An evaluation by the California Department of Public Health and the Center on Gender Equity and Health at UC San Diego School of Medicine highlights the effectiveness of one such prevention effort: California’s Rape Prevention and Education Program. This program, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, brings funding and resources to states to support prevention programming. Over 40 percent of organizations that implemented this program reported that it resulted in a school or community policy or protocol change that helped reduce sexual violence in their community. The same evaluation found that over 80 percent of participating agencies reported community leadership, action, or interest in preventing sexual violence following implementation of the program. 

“Violence in all of its forms is preventable – observing any lesson taught by organizations like Peace Over Violence will show you how it only takes minutes for someone’s mindset to completely change. But we can’t work towards ensuring that every Californian lives in safe and healthy relationships, schools, and communities unless the programs crucial to eradicating violence are fully, continuously funded. Life free from violence is a human right, and it’s immensely disappointing that these recent funding choices refuse to reflect that,” voiced Peace Over Violence Youth Advocate, Maya. 

This budget request is an insignificant amount when compared to California’s overall budget, but failing to include the funding will result in significant and long-lasting impacts on Californians. Prevention work addresses the root causes that allow violence to persist in our communities. We strongly urge Governor Newsom to lead California at the earliest opportunity and set a national precedent that prevention belongs in the fabric of state policy.

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About the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence: 

The California Partnership to End Domestic Violence (the Partnership) is California’s recognized domestic violence coalition, representing over 1,000 survivors, advocates, organizations and allied individuals across the state. Working at the local, state, and national levels for nearly 40 years, the Partnership has a long track record of successfully passing over 200 pieces of legislation on behalf of domestic violence victims and their children. The Partnership believes that by collectively working with our diverse membership, advocates, and state policy makers, we can deepen the process of healing and restoration by identifying and addressing the underlying and contributing factors. It is through our shared expertise in creating system-wide change by way of our public policy, prevention, communications, and capacity building programs that we are able to support and invest in survivors and families and endeavor to end domestic violence. Every day we inspire, inform and connect all those concerned with this issue, because we believe that together, we’re stronger. With offices in Sacramento, the Partnership’s member programs span the entire state. For more information, visit cpedv.org.