Good news for survivors and the programs that support them!
On September 29, a federal judge ruled in favor of domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions and service providers, striking down unlawful restrictions on federal funding for survivor services.
The restrictions threatened funding for shelters, crisis response, legal assistance, and other essential services. They would have made it harder for programs to help survivors, including by imposing barriers related to immigration status and gender identity.
The Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault was proud to join this lawsuit, alongside coalitions and service providers across the country, because we believe every survivor should be able to get help when they need it.
Our Board voted to take this action to protect survivor safety and support the programs that serve our communities. Part of our job as a statewide coalition is to stand up for the programs doing this work every day and to make sure they can continue showing up for survivors in every community. Our goal was simple: Make sure advocates can continue doing what they do best: helping people experiencing violence find safety and support.
When survivors can get help, families are stronger, more harm can be prevented, and our whole community is safer. We can protect the services our communities rely on when we stand together and this ruling is an important victory for survivors, advocates, and communities across Washington and nationwide.
Thank you to the coalitions, advocates, and partners who helped make this victory possible.