By: Shawndell N. Dawson, Communications & Organizational Advancement Director
The National Network to End Domestic Violence’s (NNEDV) Domestic Violence Census Report released on March 8, 2010 sheds new light on access to domestic violence services here in the District.
For the fourth consecutive year, NNEDV conducted a one-day, unduplicated count of adults and children seeking domestic violence services in the U.S. We documented:
- The number of individuals who sought services.
- Types of services requested.
- Number of service requests unmet due to lack of resources.
- Issues and barriers that domestic violence programs face as they strive to provide services to victims of domestic violence.
We’re excited to announce that every one of the District’s core domestic violence service providers participated in this one day count including: Ayuda, Break the Cycle, DAWN, DASH, House of Ruth, My Sister’s Place, Ramona’s Way, SAFE, and WEAVE.
In just one day, 394 victims of domestic violence received services through various channels including: emergency shelters, transitional housing, legal advocacy and individual support. On that same day, 40 hotline calls were answered and 40 individuals received training on domestic violence prevention and early intervention.
We have observed the heightened demand for the District’s services despite funding cuts. This shortfall poses incredible resource challenges for victims of domestic violence, and NNEDV’s census report clearly illustrates this point. Unfortunately, there were 101 unmet requests, resulting in unmet need. Sadly, 101 women and children were turned away due to resource strain including staffing challenges, increased funding limitations, and housing shortages for emergency shelter and transitional housing.
DCCADV is gravely concerned for the safety of victims and their children who now have fewer options as abuse escalates and the funding for local domestic violence programs continues to dwindle. In the face of a grim economic forecast, we are working proactively to ensure that the needs of victims and survivors are recognized and prioritized by policy makers.
For more information about the domestic violence census for Washington, DC click here.
