Adams Delivers Floor Speech in Favor of Reauthorizing the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act (FVPSA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 28, 2021) – Today, Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12) spoke in favor of reauthorizing the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act (FVPSA) on the floor of the US House of Representatives. Adams is a cosponsor of H.R.2119, the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2021, which passed the House with bipartisan support earlier today.

"As a survivor of intimate partner violence, I can tell you that this piece of legislation is so very important," said Adams. "For 37 years, the bipartisan Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) has supported survivors of domestic violence and their children. FVPSA helps local governments and service providers prevent violence, and it protects families and victims in their most vulnerable moments."

Video of Adams' speech is available on YouTube.

BACKGROUND

Today, the House passed landmark legislation that will strengthen domestic violence prevention programs and improve services for survivors. The Family Violence and Prevention Services Improvement Act (FVPSA) of 2021 – a bipartisan bill introduced by Rep. Lucy McBath (D-GA) – increases funding for crisis hotlines, emergency shelters, and other vital programs that have experienced a surge in demand during the pandemic.

According to the National Network to End Domestic Violence, in just one day in 2020, domestic violence programs were unable to meet 11,047 requests from survivors of domestic violence for shelter or supportive services.

The legislation upgrades and modernizes the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, which was the first federal law to provide resources for survivors of domestic violence and has been the primary source of federal funding for domestic violence shelters for nearly 40 years. This bill will increase funding for domestic violence prevention and services by an estimated 37 percent for state programs and 45 percent for Tribal communities.

The Family Violence and Prevention Services Improvement Act (FVPSA) of 2021:

• Shifts investments to increase prevention efforts, therefore reducing the rate of intimate partner violence and decreasing the funding needs for support services;
• Increases dedicated resources for over-represented and underserved populations, including communities of color, Tribal communities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities; and
• Ensures survivors can receive culturally appropriate, accessible services.

For a fact sheet on the bill,click here.

For a state-by-state estimates on increases in funding for shelter, services and other support,click here.

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