FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 9, 2019

Media Contacts:

• Jessica Merrill, Communications Manager – California Partnership to End Domestic Violence: jessica@cpedv.org | (707) 330-6838
• Lorena Campos, Communications Coordinator – California Coalition Against Sexual Assault: lcampos@calcasa.org | 916.446.2520, ext. 316

Governor Newsom’s Parents Agenda for State Budget needs to include funding to prevent sexual & domestic violence, support survivors

116 California organizations urge Governor Newsom to invest $50 million in proactive strategies

SACRAMENTO — Governor Newsom’s May Budget Revision today excluded funding that could decrease California’s costly epidemic of sexual and domestic violence, and lowered investments that help survivors heal. The California Coalition Against Sexual Assault CEO Sandra Henriquez and California Partnership to End Domestic Violence Director of Programs Jacquie Marroquin issued the following statement:

“Just two weeks ago, over 125 advocates, survivors, legislators, and allied groups rallied in front of the Capitol for Denim Day, calling for the State of California to continue its commitment to survivors and take leadership to end trauma and tragedy for future generations. By urging Governor Newsom and the legislature to support $50 million in ongoing state funding to prevent sexual and domestic violence, we stood for further youth education on healthy relationships and consent, economic security and intimate partner violence prevention strategies that foster more equitable relationships, and culturally-responsive solutions for the many vibrant communities across the state.

Importantly, the Governor’s Parents Agenda includes an expansion of paid leave from six to eight weeks — a strategy that has shown to address intimate partner violence by reducing financial stress, increasing equity across parenting practices, and promoting child-parent bonding. However, the May Revision reflects decreases in vital state funding for survivor safety and healing: $20.6 million was allocated to support safety and healing for survivors of domestic violence, removing $10 million in one-time funding from last year. In a glaring omission, the state failed to renew $5 million in one-time funding for rape crisis center programs, leaving only $45,000 to address sexual violence throughout the entire state. Sexual and domestic violence share common root causes, and we need to address the disparity that exists for survivors of sexual violence.

We call on Governor Newsom and the legislature to support survivors now and honor the future they envision. The costs of inaction are too high: in 2012 sexual violence cost the State of California $140 billion, and the lifetime economic burden of domestic violence is nearly $400 billion in California. An estimated 5.7 million Californians experience intimate partner violence yearly. If we act now, we can decrease these costs, and lower the immeasurable impacts on survivors, families, and communities.

The final budget agreements between the Governor and legislature must be completed by mid-June. If Governor Newsom and the legislature believe that thriving communities and healthy relationships can prevail over sexual and domestic violence, they must place California’s resources where our values are. To significantly turn the tide on abusive behavior and enhance the well-being of millions of Californians, our state needs to continue its dedication to survivor services and provide competitive grant funding for prevention projects—because prevention works.”

Learn more by visiting: http://www.calcasa.org/preventionworks/

About the Partnership

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 sharing expertise, advocates and legislators can end domestic violence. Through our public policy, communications and capacity building programs, we create system-wide change that supports survivors and invests in prevention. Every day we inspire, inform and connect all those concerned with this issue, because together we’re stronger. With offices in Sacramento, the Partnership’s member programs span the entire state. For more information, visit www.cpedv.org.

About CALCASA

CALCASA provides leadership, vision and resources to rape crisis centers, individuals and other entities committed to ending sexual violence. CALCASA is committed to ending sexual violence through a multifaceted approach of prevention, intervention, education, research, advocacy and public policy. Through ongoing communication and meetings with constituents, CALCASA relays the challenges and successes of local work to the statewide and national levels and best practices, evidence-based and practice-based programs at the state and national levels to local constituents.

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