Madison – Black and Brown Womyn Power Coalition (BBWPC), End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault applaud the Wisconsin State Assembly for passing legislation that increases funding for sexual assault and domestic abuse services. This increase comes at a critical time for programs in Wisconsin who are facing a devastating 70% reduction in Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding in October.

The consequences of the reduction in VOCA awards could force programs to lay off staff, reduce services, and/or shut their doors. The impact would fall hardest on the smallest programs, including those serving communities of color as well as those in rural and low-income communities. Potentially thousands of victims statewide could lose access to lifesaving and life-sustaining child abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, and other victim services. Without access to these critical services, the real-time impact will not only be felt by individuals and families but will also ripple through our communities.

The following has been offered as a joint statement from the three anti-violence coalitions:

"The passage of Assembly Bill 940 brings us one step closer to preventing the catastrophic impact of a 70% cut to services. We would like to thank Senator James and Agard, and Representatives Snyder and Conley, along with the long list of bipartisan co-sponsors for their advocacy on behalf of survivors. We call on the Senate to follow the Assembly's lead by taking action and passing this legislation."

We encourage reporters to include the National Domestic Violence Hotline [1−800−799−SAFE (7233)] and the National Sexual Assault Hotline [1-800-656-4673] in their stories for victims who need help. A list of local Wisconsin domestic violence victim service providers can be found at www.endabusewi.org/get-help. A list of local WI sexual assault victim service providers can be found at www.wcasa.org/survivors/service-providers. A list of local WI Black and Brown culturally-specific domestic violence and sexual assault victim resources can be found at www.bbwpcoalition.org/resources-in-wi

The Black and Brown Womyn Power Coalition, Inc. (BBWPC) is a statewide radical feminist non-profit that organizes with Black and Brown advocates and their communities across the state of Wisconsin. Our mission is to build the capacity of Black and Brown advocates and their communities to end violence against womyn, queer, and trans folx and young people. Through leadership development, technical assistance services, building of strong, connected, and supported networks, and being visible we will build a radical BIPOC womyn, Queer, and Femme led feminist movement in Wisconsin to end gender based violence.

End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin: The Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence (End Abuse, www.endabusewi.org) is the leading voice for victims of domestic abuse in Wisconsin. At End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin, we educate shelter and program volunteers and advocates, law enforcement, legislators, and community members to provide safety and support to survivors. We strive to shift Wisconsin from the attitudes and beliefs that cause domestic violence to values of mutual respect and equity, and we partner with communities in the effort to prevent and end domestic abuse.

WCASA is a statewide coalition and membership agency, dedicated to providing support and complimenting the work of Wisconsin sexual assault service provider (SASP) agencies, that are working to end sexual violence and offer support, advocacy and information to its victims of sexual assault and their families. WCASA works to ensure that every survivor in Wisconsin gets the support and care they need. WCASA also works to create the social change necessary to end all forms of sexual violence.