Budget and Funding Priorities

• Increase state funding by $ 7.5 million for Sexual and Domestic Violence Agencies and Child Advocacy Centers to provide comprehensive sexual and domestic violence services and prevention programming, including services to children and youth.
• $2.3 million to strengthen and increase the availability of crisis and support services through Sexual Assault Crisis Centers across the Commonwealth.
• $5.1 millionto provide comprehensive children’s services by continuing funding for Child Advocacy Centers  and establishing 1 FTE dedicated to children’s services in every Virginia Sexual Assault Crisis Center and Domestic Violence Program.
• $350,000 to establish sexual violence prevention initiatives in 10 Virginia communities with the state-level training, technical assistance, and resources to support these efforts. 
  

Policy Priorities

• Support legislation requiring Virginia law enforcement agencies to establish written policies on responding to sexual violence
• Support legislation that will continue and expand the Address Confidentiality Program statewide.
• Review legislation that will bring Virginia into compliance with new Violence Against Women Act certifications.
• Support legislation that will conform Virginia’s gun laws related to family violence to federal law.
• Support legislation or policy that will require courts to enter protective orders into court case management system upon issuance.
• Oppose legislation that creates mandatory sentencing or jail time.
• Oppose legislation that supports local law enforcement taking on the duties of immigration enforcement.
• Support legislation that allows undocumented immigrants to report crimes as victims or witnesses without fear of being asked about their immigration status.

Reports and Quick Facts on Priorities

• VSDVAA Report to Governor Kaine's Commission on Sexual Violence (word document)
• Cost of Sexual and Domestic Violence in Virginia (word document)
• Quick Facts--Budget Request (word document)
  

Take Action

• Contact your legislators and ask for their support for these Budget and Policy priorities.  Go to the Virginia General Assembly Homepage (www.legis.state.va.us) and click on “Who’s my Legislator?.”
  
• Educate your community leaders on these priority issues, and encourage them to contact your legislators and show support.

• Sign up for the Action Alliance Public Policy listserv so you can get legislative alerts and updates.  Email publicpolicy@vsdvalliance.org to be  added.

• Contact your local Sexual Assault Crisis Center or Domestic Violence Program and ask how you can get involved.  Click here to locate your local center or program. 

• Attend the Action Alliance Legislative Advocacy Day on January 23, 2008.  Watch the Public Policy section of the Action Alliance
    website (www.vsdvalliance.org) for more details.  Click here to register.