Family Violence Prevention and Services Act January 12, 2021 (FVPSA): Background and Funding Adrienne L. Fernandes- Family violence broadly refers to acts of physical and sexual violence perpetrated by individuals Alcantara individuals against family members. The federal government has responded to various Specialist in Social Policy forms of family violence, including violence involving spouses and other intimate partners, children, and the elderly. The focus of this report is on the federal response to Kara Clifford Billings domestic violence under the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA). " Analyst in Social Policy Domestic violence" is used in the report to describe violence among intimate partners, including those involved in dating relationships. GenerallyGeneral y speaking, victims tend to be women, although a sizable share of men are also victimized. A 2015 survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that approximately one-third of women and men had experienced sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking in their lifetimes. It showed that women were more likely than men to have experienced contact sexual violence (18% vs. 8%), stalking (10% vs. 2%), and severe physical violence (21% vs. 15%). Women were also more likely than men to report an impact related to partner violence over their lifetimes (25% vs 11%). Such impacts included having injuries, being fearful, being concerned for their safety, missing work or school, needing medical care, or needing help from law enforcement.

Throughout much of the 20^th20th century, domestic violence remained a hidden problem. Victims, or survivors, of this abuse often endured physical and emotional abuse in silence out of fear of retaliation by their spouses or partners. In the 1970s, former battered womenwomen with personal experiences of abuse, civic organizations, and professionals began to open shelters and provide services to abused women and their children. As a result of these efforts and greater national attention to domestic violence, Congress conducted a series of hearings in the early 1980s to understand the scope of domestic violence and explore possible responses. FVPSA was enacted in 1984 (Title III of P.L. 98-457), and has been reauthorized seven times, most recently by the CAPTA Reauthorization Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-320).

). FVPSA authorizes three primary sets of activities, all al of which are administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). These activities are authorized through FY2015, per P.L. 113-320, and funds have continuallycontinual y been appropriated in each subsequent year. FY2019 funding is $180 million. First, a national domestic violence hotline receives callsEnacted annual FY2021 (P.L. 116-260) funding is $201 mil ion, though HHS has not yet determined how funds are to be al ocated for certain activities. Final FY2020 funding was approximately $240 mil ion, including annual FY2020 appropriations (P.L. 116-94) and supplemental appropriations under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act; P.L. 116-136). One of the three major FVPSA activities is a national domestic violence hotline that receives cal s for assistance related to thisdomestic violence. The hotline operator provides crisis intervention and counseling, maintains a database of service providers throughout the United States and the territories, and provides referrals for victims and others affected by domestic violence. Second, FVPSA funds efforts to prevent domestic violence through a program known as Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancement and Leadership Through AlliesAl iances (DELTA). The program supports efforts in selected communities to prevent domestic violence. Third, FVPSA supports direct services for victims and their families, including victims in underserved and minority communities and children exposed to domestic violence. Most of this funding is awarded via grants to states, territories, and tribes, which then distribute the funds to local domestic violence service organizations. These organizations provide shelter and a number of services—counseling, referrals, development of safety plans, advocacy, legal advocacy, and other services. This funding also supports state domestic violence coalitions that provide training and support for service providers, and national resource centers that provide training and technical assistance on various domestic violence issues for a variety of stakeholders.

FVPSA was the first federal law to address domestic violence. Since the law was enacted, it has continued to have a primary focus on providing shelter and services for survivors and has increasingly provided support to children Congressional Research Service Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding exposed to domestic violence and teen dating violence. With the enactment of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (VAWA, P.L. 103-322), the federal response to domestic violence has expanded to include investigating and prosecuting crimes and providing additional services to victims and abusers. VAWA activities are administered by multiple federal agencies.

Congressional Research Service link to page 6 link to page 7 link to page 7 link to page 9 link to page 9 link to page 10 link to page 11 link to page 11 link to page 12 link to page 13 link to page 14 link to page 15 link to page 18 link to page 19 link to page 19 link to page 19 link to page 20 link to page 21 link to page 22 link to page 22 link to page 24 link to page 26 link to page 26 link to page 28 link to page 28 link to page 29 link to page 29 link to page 29 link to page 29 link to page 30 link to page 30 link to page 32 link to page 32 link to page 33 link to page 34 link to page 35 link to page 15 link to page 15 link to page 22 link to page 22 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding Contents Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1 Background.................................................................................................................... 2 Definitions ............................................................................................................... 2 Risk Factors for Domestic Violence.............................................................................. 4 Profiles of Survivors .................................................................................................. 4 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey ............................................... 5 National Crime Victimization Survey ...................................................................... 6 Effects of Domestic Violence ...................................................................................... 6 Domestic Violence: Development of the Issue ..................................................................... 7 Congressional Response ............................................................................................. 8 FVPSA Overview ........................................................................................................... 9 Funding ....................................................................................................................... 10 Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancement and Leadership Through Alliances (DELTA) ....... 13 DELTA Prep ........................................................................................................... 14 DELTA FOCUS ...................................................................................................... 14 DELTA Impact ........................................................................................................ 14 National Domestic Violence Hotline ................................................................................ 15 National Domestic Violence Hotline Study .................................................................. 16 Overview of Shelters, Services, and Support ..................................................................... 17 Formula Grants to States, Territories, and Tribes........................................................... 17 Selected Grant Conditions Pertaining to Use and Distribution of Funds ...................... 19 Selected Grant Conditions Pertaining to Victims ..................................................... 21 State Domestic Violence Coalitions ............................................................................ 21 Resource Centers..................................................................................................... 23 Demonstration Projects .................................................................................................. 23 Teen Dating Violence..................................................................................................... 24 Background ............................................................................................................ 24 Children Exposed to Domestic Violence ........................................................................... 24 Background ............................................................................................................ 24 Specialized Services for Abused Parents and Their Children/Expanding Services for Children and Youth Exposed to Domestic Violence .................................................... 25 FVPSA Interaction with Other Federal Laws ..................................................................... 27 Child Abuse and Neglect .......................................................................................... 27 Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)........................................................................ 28 Victims of Crime Act (VOCA)................................................................................... 29 Federal Coordination ..................................................................................................... 30 Figures Figure 1. Summary of FVPSA Activities and the Funding Al ocation Formula for Shelter, Services, and Supports ................................................................................................ 10 Figure 2. Al ocations for Activities Funded under Domestic Violence Shelters, Victim Services, and Program Support, FY2020 ........................................................................ 17 Congressional Research Service link to page 24 link to page 24 link to page 16 link to page 37 link to page 38 link to page 38 link to page 40 link to page 40 link to page 37 link to page 38 link to page 40 link to page 42 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding Figure 3. Residential Clients and Unmet Requests for Shelter at FVPSA-Funded Shelters, FY2014-FY2018 ........................................................................................................ 19 Tables Table 1. Actual Funding for FVPSA Activities, FY1995-FY2020.......................................... 11 Table A-1. Definitions of Domestic Violence and Related Terms in Federal Statute ................. 32 Table B-1. Lifetime and 12-Month Prevalence of Violence Committed by an Intimate Partner and Related Impacts ............................................................................ 33 Table C-1. FVPSA Formula Grant Funding for Shelter and Supportive Services for States and Territories, FY2019 and FY2020............................................................................. 35 Appendixes Appendix A. Definitions ................................................................................................ 32 Appendix B. Prevalence and Effects of Domestic Violence .................................................. 33 Appendix C. State and Territory Funding for Selected FVPSA Services................................. 35 Contacts Author Information ....................................................................................................... 37 Congressional Research Service Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding Introduction This report provides an overview of the federal response to domestic violence—defined broadly to include acts of physical and nonphysical violence against spouses and other intimate partners—through the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA).¹1 FVPSA programs are carried out by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services'’ (HHS'’s) Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). ACF administers most FVPSA programming, including grants to states, territories, and Indian tribes to support local organizations that provide immediate shelter and related assistance for victims of domestic violence and their children. ACF also provides funding for a privately operated national domestic violence hotline that responds to callscal s, texts, and web-based chats from individuals seeking assistance. The funding for ACF also supports state domestic violence coalitions that provide training for and advocacy on behalf of domestic violence providers within each state, as well wel as multiple resource centers that provide training and technical assistance on various domestic violence issues for a variety of stakeholders. The CDC funds efforts to prevent domestic violence through a program known as Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancement and Leadership Through AlliesAl iances (DELTA). The House Committee on Education and Labor and the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension (HELP) Committee have exercised jurisdiction over FVPSA.

FVPSA. The report begins with background on the definitions of domestic violence and related terms. This background section also describes the risk factors for domestic violence and estimates of the number of victims. The next section of the report addresses the history leading up to the enactment of FVPSA, and the major components of the act: a national domestic violence hotline, support for domestic violence shelters and nonresidential services, and community-based responses to prevent domestic violence. The report then discusses efforts under FVPSA to assist children and youth exposed to domestic violence, including teen dating violence.

Finally Final y, the report provides an overview of FVPSA'’s interaction with other federal laws, including the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) and the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (VAWA, P.L. 103-322). FVPSA was the first federal law to address domestic violence, with a focus on providing shelter and services for survivors; however, since. Since the enactment of VAWA VAWA in 1994, the federal response to domestic violence has expanded to involve multiple departments and activities that include investigating and prosecuting crimes and providing additional services to victims and abusers. FVPSA also includes provisions that encourage or require program administrators to coordinate FVPSA programs with related programs and research carried out by other federal agencies. The appendices provide further detail about FVPSA-related definitions and funding, and statistics related to domestic violence victimization.

Background

Definitions

The FVPSA statute focuses on "family violence," which2 1 T he law is codified at 42 U.S.C. §10401 et seq. T he regulations for the program are at 45 C.F.R. 137 0. A final rule from 2016 amended the regulations. See U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), “Family Violence Prevention and Services,” 81 Federal Register 212, October 14, 2015. 2 For other CRS products about domestic violence, see CRS Report R45410, The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA): Historical Overview, Funding, and Reauthorization , and CRS In Focus IF11592, Federal Support for Providing Housing to Individuals Experiencing Dom estic Violence. Congressional Research Service 1 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding Federal Support for Domestic Violence in the Context of COVID-19 Empirical research and anecdotal information from organizations that serve domestic violence victims indicate that disasters and emergencies can heighten the frequency and severity of abuse.3 In the current context of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, some abusers may exert further power and control over their partners because of the stress caused by economic and other uncertainties surrounding the pandemic.4 Victims may be less likely to use crisis hotlines with their abusers close by, and may face repercussions if they reach out for help.5 Federal lawmakers addressed domestic violence in COVID-19 response legislation enacted in March 2020. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act; P.L. 116-136) provided additional FY2020 funding of $2 mil ion for the national domestic violence hotline, including hotline services provided remotely, and $45 mil ion for FVPSA formula grants—both available through September 30, 2021. The Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020 (P.L. 116-123) also provided funding to the CDC, and the agency used $1.6 mil ion of such funds for Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancement and Leadership Through Al iances (DELTA) grants.6 The law specifies that FVPSA subgrantees are not required to provide a match as they usual y would be with regular appropriations. In responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, ACF issued guidance that advises how FVPSA funds can be expended, including for staff, food, toiletries, and supplies at shelters, among other items.7 Funds may not be given directly to victims. ACF has also issued other guidance that provides flexibilities for applicants and grantees in programs conducting human service activities related to COVID-19. Separately, FVPSA-funded training and technical assistance centers are sharing resources for serving DV victims during the pandemic. Background Definitions The FVPSA statute focuses on family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence. Family violence can involve many types of family relationships and forms of violence. FVPSA defines the term as acts of violence or threatened acts of violence, including forced detention, that result in physical injury against individuals (including elderly individuals) who are legallylegal y related by blood or marriage and/or live in the same household.²8 This definition focuses on physical forms of violence and is limited to abusers and victims³victims9 who live together or are related by blood or marriage; however, researchers and others generallygeneral y agree that family violence is broad enough to include nonphysical violence and physical violence that occurs outside of an intimate relationship.⁴ 3 Julie A. Schumacher et al, “Intimate partner violence and Hurricane Katrina: Predictors and Associated Mental Health Outcomes,” Violence and Victim s, vol. 25, no. 5 (2010), pp. 588-603; Alisha Haridasani Gupta and Aviva Stahl, “ For Abused Women, a Pandemic Lockdown Holds Dangers of Its Own,” New York Times March 24, 2020; National Domestic Violence Hotline, “Staying Safe During COVID-19,” March 13, 2020, https://www.thehotline.org/2020/03/13/staying-safe-during-covid-19. 4 National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence, “Power and Control Wheel,” http://www.ncdsv.org/images/PowerControlwheelNOSHADING.pdf. 5 MJ Lee, “Visits to New York City’s domestic violence website surged amid coronavirus pandemic,” CNN.com, April 7, 2020, https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/07/us/nyc-domestic-violence-website-surging/index.html. 6 Based on correspondence with HHS, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), September 2020. 7 HHS, ACF, FAQs on Allowable Use of FVPSA Funds During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/news/faqs-on-allowable-use-of-fvpsa-funds-during-the-covid-19-public-health-emergency; and HHS, ACF, FY 2020 CARES Act Supplem ental Funding Guidance for FVPSA Form ula Grantees: Abbreviated Application Process Mem o, Allowable Use of Funds, and Reporting Instructions, https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/resource/fvpsa-cares-act-supplemental-award-information-formula-grantees. 8 42 U.S.C. §10402(4) (Definitions). 9 T his term is sometimes used interchangeably wit h the word survivors. Congressional Research Service 2 link to page 37 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding relationship.10 Such a definition can encompass a range of scenarios—rape and other forms of sexual violence committed by a current or former spouse or intimate partner who may or may not live in the same household; stalking by a current or former spouse or partner; abuse and neglect of elderly family members and children; and psychologicallypsychological y tormenting and controlling a spouse, intimate partner, or other member of the household.

While family violence can encompass child abuse and elder abuse, FVPSA programs focus on individuals individuals abused by their spouses and other intimate partners. Further, FVPSA references the terms "“domestic violence"” and "“dating violence"” as they are defined under VAWA, and discusses these terms alongside family violence. (The FVPSA regulations also define these terms as generally general y consistent with VAWA, but recognize that the term "“dating violence"” encompasses additional acts.)⁵11 The VAWA definition of "“domestic violence"” encompasses forms of intimate partner violence—involving current and former spouses or individuals who are similarly situated to a spouse, cohabiting individuals, and parents of children in common—that are outlawed under state or local laws. VAWA defines "“dating violence"” as violence committed by a person who has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim; and where the existence of such a relationship is determined based on consideration of the length of the relationship, the type of relationship, and the frequency of interaction between the individuals involved. (Appendix A provides a summary of these and related terms as they are defined in statute.)

The federal government responds to child abuse and elder abuse through a variety of separate programs. Federal law authorizes and funds a range of activities to prevent and respond to child abuse and neglect under Titles IV-B and IV-E of the Social Security Act and CAPTA.⁶ 12 Separately, the Older Americans Act (OAA), the major federal vehicle for the delivery of social and nutrition services for older persons, has authorized projects to address elder abuse. In addition, the OAA authorizes, and the federal government funds, the National Center on Elder AbuseAbuse. The center provides information to the public and professionals regarding elder abuse prevention activities, and provides training and technical assistance to state elder abuse agencies and to community-based organizations.⁷13 The Social Services Block Grant, as amended, also includes elder justice provisions, including several grant programs and other activities to promote the safety and wellwel -being of older Americans.⁸

14 10 Roger J.R. Levesque, Culture and Violence: Fostering Change Through Human Rights Law (Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, 2001), p. 13. 11 T he 2016 final rule that amended the regulations for FVPSA notes with regard to “family violence” and “domestic violence,” “the [social service] field and Congress have used the term int erchangeably for decades.” T he final rule also notes that HHS sought to broaden the definition of “domestic violence,” starting that “Given the continuum of behaviors constituting ‘domestic violence’ identified in FVPSA, and the broader protections embodied in State and other jurisdictional law, [HHS/]ACF will interpret ‘domestic violence’ as inclusive of additional acts recognized in other Federal, State, local, and tribal laws, as well as acts in other Federal regulatory and sub-regulatory guidance.” Note that this definition is not intended to be interpreted “ more restrictively than FVPSA and VAWA but rather to be inclusive of other, more expansive definitions.” HHS, Family Violence Prevention and Services,” 81 Federal Register 212, November 2, 2016. 12 For further information, see CRS Report R43458, Child Welfare: An Overview of Federal Programs and Their Current Funding. 13 For further information, see CRS Report R43414, Older Americans Act: Overview and Funding; and HHS, Office on Women’s Health, Overview of Violence Against Women Activities 2010-2011, June 25, 2012 (hereinafter, “HHS, Office on Women’s Health, Overview of Violence Against Women Activities 2010-2011”). 14 For further information, see CRS Report 94-953, Social Services Block Grant: Background and Funding. Congressional Research Service 3 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding Risk Factors for Domestic Violence Risk Factors for Domestic Violence

The evidence base on domestic violence does not point strongly to any one reason that it is perpetrated, in part because of the difficulty in measuring social conditions (e.g., status of women, gender norms, and socioeconomic status, among others) that can influence this violence. StillStil , the research literature has identified two underlying influences: the unequal position of women and the normalization of violence, both in society and some relationships.⁹15 Certain risk variables are often associated with—but not necessarily the causes—of domestic violence. Such factors include a pattern of problem drinking, poverty and economic conditions, and early parenthood.¹⁰16 For example, substance abuse often precedes incidents of domestic violence. A U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) study found that substance abuse tracked closely with homicide, attempted homicide, or the most severe violent incidents of abuse perpetrated against an intimate partner. Among men who killedkil ed or attempted to kill kil their intimate partners, over 80% were problem drinkers in the year preceding the incident.¹¹

17 Profiles of Survivors

Estimating the number of individuals involved in domestic violence is complicated by the varying definitions of the term and methodologies for collecting data. For example, some research counts a boyfriend or girlfriend as a family relationship while other research does not; still stil other surveys are limited to specific types of violence and whether violence is reported to police. Certain studies focus more broadly on various types of violence or more narrowly on violence committed among intimate partners. In addition, domestic violence is generallygeneral y believed to be underreported. Survivors may be reluctant to disclose their victimization because of shame, embarrassment, fear, or belief that they may not receive support from law enforcement.¹²

Overall18 Overal , two studies—the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) and the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS)—show that violence involving intimate partners is not uncommon, and that both women and men are victimized sexually, physically, and psychologically.¹³sexual y, physical y, and psychological y.19 Women tend to first be victimized at a younger age than men. Further, minorityNative American and Black women and men tend to be victimized at higher rates than their white counterparts.

National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey

White, Hispanic, and Asian counterparts. 15 Rachel Jewkes, “Intimate Partner Violence: Causes and Prevention,” The Lancet, vol. 359 (April 20, 2002), pp. 1423-1429. 16 U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), National Institute of Justice (NIJ), “Causes and Consequences of Intimate Partner Violence,” http://www.nij.gov/topics/crime/intimate-partner-violence/Pages/welcome.aspx. 17 Phyllis Sharps et al., “Risky Mix: Drinking, Drug Use, and Homicide,” NIJ Journal, no. 250 (November 2003). T he abused women studied were between the ages of 18 and 50 and were romantically or sexually involved with the perpetrator at some time during the past two years. A woman was categorized as abused if she had been physically assaulted, threatened with serious violence, or stalked by a current or former intimate partner. 18 Sharon G. Smith et al., The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010 -2012 State Report, HHS, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (Hereinafter, Sharon G. Smith et al., The National Intim ate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010 -2012 State Report.) 19 Sharon G. Smith et al., The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey: 2015 Data Brief - Updated Release, HHS, CDC, November 2018 (hereinafter, “ Sharon G. Smith et al., The National Intim ate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey: 2015 Data Brief - Updated Release”). See also, Jennifer L. T ruman and Rachel E. Morgan, Crim inal Victim ization, 2016, T able 2, DOJ, OJP, BJS, December 2017 (hereinafter, “ Jennifer L. T ruman and Rachel E. Morgan, Crim inal Victim ization, 2016”). Congressional Research Service 4 link to page 38 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey NISVS provides information on the prevalence of domestic violence among individuals during their lifetimes and in the past 12 months prior to the survey. The CDC conducted the study annually annual y in each of 2010-2012 and in 2015.¹⁴20 The survey examines multiple aspects of intimate partner violence—including contact sexual violence, which encompasses rape and other acts; physical violence, including slapping, kicking, and more severe acts like being burned; and stalking, which is a pattern of harassing or threatening tactics. Select findings from the study are summarized inin Table B-1. Generally General y, the 2015 survey found that women and men were victimized at about the same ratesimilar rates over their lifetime.¹⁵21 Over one-third (36%) of women and more than one-third (34%) of men in the United States reported that they experienced sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetimes. However, women were more likely than men to experience certain types of intimate partner violence, including contact sexual violence (18% vs. 8%), stalking (10% vs. 2%), and severe physical violence (21% vs. 15%). Women were also much more likely than men to report an impact related to partner violence over their lifetimes (25% vs 11%). Such impacts included having injuries, being fearful, being concerned for their safety, missing work or school, needing medical care, or needing help from law enforcement.

Women and men of color, particularly individuals who are multiracial, tended to experience domestic violence at higher lifetime rates. As reported in the 2010 NISVS, women who are multiracial (57%) were most likely to report contact sexual violence, physicalphysic al violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner, followed by American Indian or Alaska Native women (48%), blackBlack women (45%), whiteWhite women (37%), Hispanic women of any race (34%), and Asian or Pacific Islander women (18%).22 Among men, those who were blackBlack (40%) and multiracial (39%) were more likely to experience intimate partner violence than whiteWhite (32%) and Hispanic (29%) men; estimates were not reported for American Indian or Alaska Native or Asian or Pacific Islander males because the data were unreliable.¹⁶

Special Populations The 2010 NISVS examined the prevalence of this violence based on how adult respondents identified their sexual orientation (heterosexual or straight, gay or lesbian, or bisexual). The study found that overalloveral , bisexual women had significantly higher lifetime prevalence of sexual violence, physical violence, and stalking by an intimate partner when compared to both lesbian and heterosexual women.¹⁷

23 20 Sharon G. Smith et al., The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010 -2012 State Report. T he NISVS is a national random telephone survey of the noninstitutionalized English and/or Spanish-speaking U.S. population age 18 and older. T he study is coordinated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at HHS, and developed and fielded with support from DOJ and the Department of Defense (DOD). T erms such as “physical violence” and “stalking” are defined in the report. Over the 2010 -2012 period, more than 41,000 interviews were completed; and in 2015 more than 10,000 interviews were completed. National estimates were derived based on statistical weights applied to the percentages of respondents who experience domestic violence. 21 In addition, about 5% of women and men had experienced these acts within the past year. Sharon G. Smith et al., The National Intim ate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey: 2015 Data Brief - Updated Release. 22 Sharon G. Smith et al., The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010-2012 State Report, HHS, CDC, April 2017. Reports on the more recent 2015 survey do not include data on race and ethnicity. 23 Mikel L. Walters, Jieru Chen, and Matthew J. Breiding, The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010 Findings on Victim ization by Sexual Orientation, HHS, CDC, January 2013. For some types of violence, prevalence estimates for particular groups (e.g., gay or bisexual men and lifetime prevalence of rape by any Congressional Research Service 5 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding The 2010 NISVS also surveyed women on active duty in the military and the wives of active duty men. These women were asked to respond to whether they experienced intimate partner violence over their lifetime and during the four years prior to the survey. The study found that the majority of women affiliated with the military were significantly less likely to be victims of intimate partner violence compared to women in the general population. However, active duty women who were deployed during the three years prior to the survey were significantly more likely to have experienced intimate partner violence during this period and over their lifetime compared to active duty women who were not deployed. Among those who deployed, 12% had been victims of physical violence, rape, or stalking by an intimate partner during the past three years and 35% had experienced victimization over their lifetime. This is compared to 10% (during the past three years) and 28% (lifetime prevalence) of women who had not deployed.¹⁸

24 National Crime Victimization Survey

The National Crime Victimization Survey is a survey coordinated by DOJ'’s Bureau of Justice Statistics within the Office of Justice Programs.¹⁹25 NCVS surveys a nationallynational y representative sample of households. It is the primary source of information on the characteristics of criminal nonfatal victimization and on the number and types of crimes that may or may not be reported to law enforcement authorities. NCVS surveyed respondents about whether they have been victims of a violent crime, including rape/sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault; and for victims, the relationship to the perpetrator.²⁰26 The survey reports the share of crimes that are committed by an intimate partner (current or former spouses, boyfriends, or girlfriends), other family members, friends/acquaintances, or strangers. The survey found that nearly 600,000 individuals individuals were victims of intimate partner violence in 2016.²¹27 An earlier NCVS study examined changes in the rate of intimate partner violence over time. The study found that the number of female victims of domestic violence declined from 1.8 millionmil ion in 1994 to about 621,000 in 2011. Over this period, the rate of serious intimate partner violence—rape or sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated assault—declined by 72% for females and 64% for males. Approximately 4% of females and 8% of males who were victimized by intimate partners were shot at, stabbed, or hit with a weapon over the period from 2002 through 2011.²²

28 Effects of Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is associated with multiple negative outcomes for victims, including mental and emotional distress and health effects. The 2015 NISVS study found that these effects appeared to be greater for women. About 1 in 4 women (25.1%) and 1 in 10 men (10.9%) who perpetrator) were too small to produce reliable estimates and were not reported. 24 Michele C. Black and Melissa T . Merrick, Prevalence of Intimate Partner Violence, Sexual Violence, and Stalking am ong Active Duty Wom en and Wives of Active Duty Men —Com parisons with Wom en in the General Population, 2010, T echnical Report, HHS, CDC, March 2013. 25 Jennifer L. T ruman and Rachel E. Morgan, Criminal Victimization, 2016. 26 T hese terms are defined at DOJ, OJP, Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), “All T erms and Definitions,” https://www.bjs.gov/index.cfm?ty=tda. 27 Jennifer L. T ruman and Rachel E. Morgan, Criminal Victimization, 2016, T able 2. 28 Shannan Catalano, Intimate Partner Violence: Attributes of Victimization, 1993 -2011, DOJ, OJP, BJS, November 2013. See also a study of the FBI’s Supplemental Homicide Reports: James Alan Fox and Emma E. Fridel, “ Gender Differences in Patterns and T rends in U.S. Homicide,” 1976-2015, Violence and Gender, vol. 4, no, 2, 2017. T he study found that nearly half of all female homicide victims are killed by an intimate partner, compared to 5% of male homicide victims. Intimate partner homicides decreased over the period from 1976 to 2015. Congressional Research Service 6 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding appeared to be greater for women. About 1 in 4 women (25.1%) and 1 in 10 men (10.9%) who experienced sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime lifetime reported at least one impact as a result of this violence, including being fearful; being concerned for their safety or having an injury or need for medical care; needing help from law enforcement; missing at least one day of work; or missing at least one day of school.²³

29 Domestic Violence: Development of the Issue

Early marriage laws in the United States permitted men to hit their wives, and throughout much of the 20^th20th century family violence remained a hidden problem.²⁴30 Victims, mostly women, often endured physical and emotional abuse in silence. These victims were hesitant to seek help because of fear of retaliation by their spouses/partners and concerns about leaving their homes, children, and neighborhoods behind. Women were worried that they would be perceived as deviant or mentallymental y unstable or would be unable to get by financiallyfinancial y. In addition, victims were often blamed for their abuse, based on stereotypical notions of women (e.g., demanding, aggressive, and frigid, among other characteristics).²⁵

31 In the 1960s, shelters and services for victims of domestic violence became available on a limited basis; however, these services were not always targeted specificallyspecifical y to victims per se. Social service and religious organizations provided temporary housing for displaced persons generally, general y, which could include homeless and abused women. In addition, a small smal number of organizations provided services to abused women who were married to alcoholic men. Beginning in the 1970s, the "“battered women'’s movement"” began to emerge; it sought to heighten awareness of women who were abused by spouses and partners. The movement developed from influences both abroad and within the United States. In England, the first battered women'’s shelter, Chiswick Women's ’s Aid, galvanized support to establish similar types of services. In addition, the feminist movement in the United States increasingly brought greater national attention to the issue.²⁶

32 As part of the battered women'’s movement, former battered women, civic organizations, and professionals opened shelters and began to provide services to victims, primarily abused women and their children.²⁷33 Shelters were most often located in old homes, at Young Women'’s Christian Association (YWCA) centers, or housed in institutional settings, such as motels or abandoned orphanages.

orphanages. In addition to providing shelter, groups in the battered women'’s movement organized coalitions to combine resources for public education on the issue, support groups for victims, and services that were lacking. For example, the YWCA and Women in Crisis Can Act formed a hotline for abused women in Chicago. These and other groups convened the Chicago Abused Women's Coalition ’s Coalition to address concerns about services for battered women. The coalition spoke to hundreds of community groups and professional agencies about battered women'’s stories, explained the significance of violence, detailed how violence becomes sanctioned, dispelleddispel ed common myths, and challenged 29 Sharon G. Smith et al., The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2015 Data Brief - Updated Release. 30 Ola W. Barnett, Cindy L. Miller-Perrin, and Robin D. Perrin, Family Violence Across the Life Span, 3rd ed. (T housand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 2011), pp. 14-15 (hereinafter, “ Ola W. Barnett, Cindy L. Miller-Perrin, and Robin D. Perrin, Fam ily Violence Across the Life Span”). 31 Susan Schechter, Women and Male Violence: The Visions and Struggles of the Battered Women’s Movement (Boston: South End Press, 1982), pp. 12-20 (hereinafter, “ Susan Schechter, Wom en and Male Violence: The Visions and Struggles of the Battered Women’s Movement”). 32 Ola W. Barnett, Cindy L. Miller-Perrin, and Robin D. Perrin, Family Violence Across the Life Span, p. 15. 33 Susan Schechter, Women and Male Violence: The Visions and Struggles of the Battered Women’s Movement. Congressional Research Service 7 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding and chal enged community members to provide funding and other support to assist abused women. The coalition mobilized around passage of a state law to protect women and require police training on domestic violence, among other accomplishments.²⁸

34 Based on a survey in the late 1970s, 111 shelters were believed to be operating across all al states and in urban, suburban, and rural communities. These shelters generallygeneral y reported that they provided a safe and secure environment for abused women and their children, emotional support and counseling for abused women, and information on legal rights and assistance withw ith housing, among other supports. Approximately 90 of these shelters fielded over 110,000 callscal s for assistance in a given year.²⁹

35 Around this same time, the public became increasingly aware of domestic violence. In 1983, Time magazine published an article, "“Wife Beating: The Silent Crime,"” as part of a series of articles on violence in the United States. The article stated: "“There is nothing new about wife beating…. What is new is that in the U.S. wife beating is no longer widely accepted as an inevitable and private matter. The change in attitude, while far from complete, has come about in the past 10 to 15 years as part of the profound transformation of ideas about the roles and rights of women in society."³⁰”36 In 1984, then-U.S. Attorney General Benjamin Civiletti established the Department of Justice Task Force on Family Violence, which issued a report examining the scope and impact of domestic violence in America. The report also provided recommendations to improve the nation's ’s law enforcement, criminal justice, and community response to offenses that were previously considered "family matters."³¹

considered “family matters.”37 Congressional Response

Largely as a result of efforts by advocates and the Justice Department, Congress began to take an interest in domestic violence issues. The House Select Committee on Children, Youth, and Families conducted a series of hearings in 1983 and 1984 on child abuse and family violence throughout the country, to understand the scope of family violence better and explore possible federal responses to the problem. The committee heard from victims, domestic violence service providers, researchers, law enforcement officials, and other stakeholders about the possible number of victims and the need for additional victim services. In 1984, the Family Violence Violenc e Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) was enacted as Title III of the Child Abuse Amendments of 1984 (P.L. 98-457). Title I of that law amended the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), and most of the seven subsequent reauthorizations of FVPSA have occurred as part of legislation legislation that reauthorized CAPTA.³²38 This includes the most recent reauthorization (P.L. 111-320320), which extended funding authority for FVPSA through FY2015. As discussed later in this report, Congress subsequently broadened the federal response to domestic violence with the enactment of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994.

FVPSA Overview

As originally 34 Ibid. 35 Albert B. Roberts, Sheltering Battered Women: A National Study and Service Guide (New York: Springer Publishing Company, 1981), pp. 7-11. 36 Jane O'Reilly, Barbara B. Dolan, and Elizabeth T aylor, “Wife Beating: T he Silent Crime,” Time, September 5, 1983. 37 DOJ, OJP, Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), The History of the Violence Against Women Act, http://www.ncdsv.org/images/OVW_HistoryVAWA.pdf. 38 CAPT A was originally enacted in 1974 (P.L. 93-247) to create a federal focus for responding to child abuse and neglect and authorizing support for training and technical assistance to improve child protective serv ices. Congressional Research Service 8 link to page 15 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding FVPSA Overview As original y enacted, FVPSA included both a social service and law enforcement response to preventing and responding to domestic violence. Grants were authorized for states, territories, and Indian tribes to establish and expand programs to prevent domestic violence and provide shelter for victims. In addition, the law authorized grants to provide training and technical assistance to law enforcement personnel, and this funding was ultimately used to train law enforcement personnel throughout the country. From FY1986 through FY1994, funding for these grants was transferred from HHS to DOJ, which carried out the grants under the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC). DOJ fundedused the funding for 23 projects to train law enforcement officers on domestic violence policies and response procedures, with approximately 16,000 law enforcement officers and other justice system personnel from 25 states receiving this training. The training emphasized officers as participants working with other agencies, victims, and community groups in a coordinated response to domestic violence.³³ 39 Over time, FVPSA was expanded to include support of other activities, including state domestic violence coalitions and grants that focus on prevention activities; however, authorization of funding for FVPSA law enforcement training grants was discontinued in 1992, just before the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 authorized a similar purpose. Specificallyactivities. Specifical y, VAWA authorizes training and support of law enforcement officials under the Services, Training, Officers, and Prosecutors (STOP) Grant program.

As outlined in Figure 1, FVPSA currently authorizes three major activities: domestic violence prevention activities under a program known as DELTA; the national domestic violence hotline; and domestic violence shelters, services, and program support. The CDC administers the DELTA program. The Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) in HHS/ACF administers funding for the hotline and the domestic violence shelters, victim services, and program support. The three primary activities funded under FVPSA are shown in Figure 1. Funding for shelters, victim services, and program support is al ocated based on a formula in the FVPSA statute, which is described in the figure.40 39 DOJ, OJP, Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), Report to Congress, July 1996; and Lisa C. Newmark, Adele V. Harrell, and William Adams, Evaluation of Police Training Conducted Under the Fam ily Violence Prevention and Services Act, Urban Institute, June 26, 1995. 40 42 U.S.C. §10403 (Authorization of appropriations). Congressional Research Service 9 link to page 16 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding Figure 1. Summary of FVPSA Activities and the Funding Allocation Formula for Shelter, Services, and Supports Source: Congressional Research Service (CRS). Funding domestic violence shelters and support.

Figure 1. Summary of Activities Authorized and Funded Under the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA)

Source: Congressional Research Service (CRS).

Funding

Authorization of funding under FVPSA has been extended multiple times, most recently through FY2015 by the CAPTA Reauthorization Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-320). Congress has appropriated funding in subsequent yearsP.L. 111-320). For each of FY2011-FY2015, the law authorized funding of $175 mil ion for domestic violence shelters, victim services, and program support; $3.5 mil ion for the national domestic violence hotline; and $6 mil ion for DELTA. Congress may appropriate funding for programs with an expired authorization of appropriations, which has been the case for FVPSA activities in subsequent years. Table 1 includes actual funding from FY1995 through FY2020 for the three FVPSA activities, which has general y increased over time but includes reductions in some years. Congress appropriated $241.1 mil ion for FY2020, the highest total to date, via regular appropriations and supplemental appropriations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.41 41 T his includes $175 million for domestic violence shelters, victim services, and program support; $12 million for the national domestic violence hotline and $5.5 million for HHS CDC to administer DELT A provided by the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (P.L. 116-94), and a $2 million supplemental appropriation for the hotline and $45 million for shelters, victim services, and program support prov ided by the CARES Act (P.L. 116-136). The Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020 ( P.L. 116-123) also provided funding to CDC, and the agency used $1.6 million of such funds for DELT A grants, which is included in the total. Congressional Research Service 10 link to page 17 link to page 17 link to page 17 link to page 17 link to page 17 link to page 17 link to page 17 link to page 17 link to page 17 link to page 17 link to page 17 link to page 17 link to page 18 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding Enacted FY2021 appropriations are $204 mil ion, of which $185.5 mil ion is for shelter, services, and support; $13 mil ion is for the hotline and $5.5 mil ion is for DELTA.42 HHS has not yet determined how funds are to be al ocated among shelters, victims, and program support. Table 1. Actual Funding for FVPSA Activities, FY1995-FY2020 Domestic Violence Shelters, National Victim Domestic Services, and Violence Program DELTA Hotline Support Total FY1995 N/A $1,000,000 $32,645,000 $33,645,000 FY1996 N/A $400,000 $47,642,500 $48,042,500 FY1997 N/A $400,000 $72,800,000 $73,200,000 FY1998 N/A $1,200,000 $86,642,206 $87,842,206 FY1999 $5,998,000 $1,200,000 $88,778,000 $95,976,000 FY2000 $5,866,000 $1,957,000 $101,118,000 $108,941,000 FY2001 $5,866,000 $2,157,000 $116,899,000 $124,922,000 FY2002 $5,866,000 $2,157,000 $124,459,000 $132,482,000 FY2003 $5,828,000 $2,157,000 $124,459,000 $132,444,000 FY2004 $5,303,000 $2,982,000 $125,648,000 $133,933,000 FY2005 $5,258,000 $3,224,000 $125,630,000 $134,112,000 FY2006 $5,181,000 $2,970,000 $124,643,000 $132,794,000 FY2007 $5,110,000 $2,970,000 $124,731,000 $132,811,000 FY2008 $5,021,000 $2,918,000 $122,552,000 $130,491,000 FY2009 $5,511,000 $3,209,000 $127,776,000 $136,496,000 FY2010a $5,525,000 $3,209,000 $130,052,000 $138,786,000 FY2011 $5,423,000 $3,202,000 $129,792,000 $138,417,000 FY2012 $5,411,000 $3,197,000 $129,547,000 $138,155,000 FY2013b $5,350,000 $2,992,000 $121,225,000 $129,552,000 FY2014c $5,414,000 $4,500,000 $133,521,000 $143,221,000 FY2015c $5,414,000 $4,500,000 $135,000,000 $144,914,000 FY2016c $5,500,000 $8,250,000 $150,000,000 $163,750,000 FY2017c,d $5,487,000 $8,223,479 $150,517,702 $164,210,518 FY2018c,e $5,500,000 $9,250,000 $158,398,811 $173,148,811 FY2019c,f $5,481,000 $10,250,000 $163,914,699 $179,645,699 FY2020c,g $7,100,000 $14,000,000 $219,985,157 $241,085,157 42 U.S. Congress, House of Representatives, 116th Cong., 2nd sess., Committee Print to Accompany Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133), which was enacted as P.L. 116-260. Congressional Research Service 11 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration includes actual funding from FY1993 to FY2018, which includes reductions in some years, and appropriated funding for FY2019 for the three major FVPSA activities. Congress appropriated just over $180 million for FY2019, the highest total to date.

” f. The final appropriations law for HHS was the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2019 (P.L. 115-245). The FY2019 funding levels for shelters, victim services, and program support are based on CRS correspondence with HHS, ACF in September 2020, with further information from HHS that funds were subsequently transferred from shelters, victim services, and program support ($565,880) under the 1% transfer authority for the HHS Secretary in P.L. 115-141. FY2019 hotline funding includes $400,000 that was used to fund an Congressional Research Service 12 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding evaluation of hotline services conducted elsewhere within ACF. FY2019 funding for DELTA is based on HHS, “FY2019 CDC Operating Plan” and CRS correspondence with HHS, CDC in September 2020. g. Regular FY2020 appropriations were provided under the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (P.L. 116-94), and supplemental appropriations were provided under the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020 (P.L. 116-123). Funding levels for shelter, victim services, and program support and the hotline are based on CRS correspondence with HHS, ACF in November 2020. FY2020 funding level for shelter, victim services, and program support includes $45 mil ion provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) Act. The hotline total includes $250,000 that was used to fund an evaluation of hotline services conducted elsewhere within ACF, and a supplemental appropriation of $2 mil ion provided by the CARES Act. FY2020 funding levels for DELTA are based on HHS, “FY2020 CDC Operating Plan” and CRS correspondence with HHS, CDC in September 2020. The DELTA total includes $1.6 mil ion that CDC used from more general funding provided by the CARES Act. Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancement and Leadership Through Alliances (DELTA)³⁴

43 Since 1994, FVPSA has authorized the HHS Secretary to award cooperative agreements to state domestic violence coalitions that coordinate local community projects to prevent domestic violence, including such violence involving youth. Congress first awarded funding for prevention activities in FY1996 under a pilot program carried out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The pilot program was formalized in 2002 under a program now known as the Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancement and Leadership Through AlliancesAl iances (DELTA) program. The focus of DELTA is preventing domestic violence before it occurs, rather than responding once it happens or working to prevent its recurrence.³⁵44 The program has had four iterations:

• iterations:  DELTA, which was funded from FY1996 through FY2012 and involved 14 states;
• states;  DELTA Prep, which extended from FY2008 through FY2012 and involved 19 states that had not received the initial DELTA funds;
•  DELTA FOCUS, which extended from FY2013 through FY2017 and involved 10 states, all al of which had previously received funding under DELTA or DELTA Prep; and
•  DELTA Impact, which began with FY2018 and involves 10 states, all al of which except one has previously received DELTA funding.

As originally As original y implemented, the program provided funding and technical assistance to 14 state domestic violence coalitions to support local efforts to carry out prevention strategies and work at the state level to oversee these strategies. Local prevention efforts were referred to as coordinated community responses (CCRs). The CCRs were led by domestic violence organizations and other stakeholders across multiple sectors, including law enforcement, public health, and faith-based organizations. For example, the Michigan Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence supported two CCRs—the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services and the Lakeshore AllianceAl iance Against Domestic and Sexual Violence—that focused on faith-based initiatives. Both CCRs held forums that provided resources and information about the roles of faith leaders in preventing the first-time occurrence of domestic violence. The 14 state domestic 43 42 U.S.C. §10414 (Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancement and Leadership T hrough Alliances (DELT A)). 44 T he CDC defines primary prevention as “stopping IPV [intimate partner violence] before it occurs.” HHS, CDC, “Violence Prevention: DELT A Focus,” http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/deltafocus/. Congressional Research Service 13 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding violence coalitions developed five- to eight-year domestic violence prevention plans known as Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Plans. These plans were developed with multiple stakeholders, and they discuss the strategies needed to prevent first-time perpetration or victimization and to build the capacity to implement these strategies. The CDC issued a brief that summarizes the plans and identifies the successes and challengeschal enges for state domestic violence coalitions in supporting and enhancing intimate partner violence prevention efforts. OverallOveral , the report found that states improved their capacity to respond to intimate partner violence through evidence-based planning and implementation strategies.³⁶

45 DELTA Prep

DELTA Prep was a project that extended from FY2008 through FY2012, and was a collaborative effort among the CDC, the CDC Foundation, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.³⁷ 46 Through DELTA Prep, the CDC extended the DELTA Program to 19 states³⁸ program to 19 states47 that did not receive the initial DELTA funds. State and community leaders in these other states received training and assistance in building prevention strategies, based on the work of the 14 state domestic violence coalitions that received DELTA funds. DELTA Prep states integrated primary prevention strategies into their work and the work of their partners, and built leadership for domestic violence prevention in their states.

DELTA FOCUS

DELTA FOCUS (Focusing on Outcomes for Communities United within States) continued earlier DELTA work. From FY2013 through FY2017, DELTA FOCUS funded 10 state domestic violence coalition grantees to implement and evaluate strategies to prevent domestic violence. Funding was provided by the coalitions to 18 community response teams that engaged in carrying out these strategies.³⁹48 DELTA FOCUS differed from DELTA and DELTA Prep by placing greater emphasis on implementing prevention strategies rather than building capacity for prevention. DELTA FOCUS also put more emphasis on evaluating the program to help build evidence about effective interventions.

DELTA Impact

DELTA Impact, which began in FY2018, provides funding to 10 state domestic violence coalitions.⁴⁰49 This grant supports community response teams in decreasing domestic violence risk 45 HHS, CDC, Taking Action to Prevent Intimate Partner Violence: Creating Statewide Prevention Plans, 2013. For further information about DELT A evaluation activities from 2003 through 2010, see Pamela J. Fox et al., “Strengthening Systems for the Primary Prevention of Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Violence: CDC’s DELT A and EMPOWER Programs,” Journal of Family Social Work, vol. 13, no. 4, 2013. 46 T he CDC Foundation is a nonprofit organization established by Congress that creates programs in partnership with the CDC for fighting threats to health. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is a philanthropic organization that focuses on public health issues. 47 T hese states include AL, CT , DC, ID, IA, IN, KY, MA, MN, MI, NE, NH, NJ, OK, OR, PA, SC, T X, and WA. 48 T hese states include AK, CA, DE, FL, ID, IN, MI, NC, OH, and RI. For further information, see HHS, CDC, “Funding Opportunity, DELT A (Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancement Leadership T hrough Alliances, Focusing on Outcomes for Communities United with States) FOCUS”; and HHS, CDC, “ T he DELT A Focus Program: Intimate Partner Violence is Preventable,” https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/deltafocus/. 49 T hese states include AK, CA, DE, FL, MI, NC, OH, PA, RI, and T N. For further information, see HHS, CDC, “Funding Opportunity, DELT A (Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancement Leadership T hrough Alliances, Focusing on Outcomes for Communit ies United with States) Impact”; and HHS, CDC, “ About DELT A Impact,” Congressional Research Service 14 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding This grant supports community response teams in decreasing domestic violence risk factors and increasing protective factors by implementing prevention activities that are based on the best available evidence. Grantees are implementing and evaluating policy efforts under three broad strategies to address domestic violence prevention: (1) engaging influential adults and peers, including by engaging men and boys as alliesal ies in prevention; (2) creating protective environments, such as improving school climates and safety; and (3) strengthening economic supports for families.

National Domestic Violence Hotline⁴¹

Hotline50 As amended by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) of 1994, FVPSA directs the HHS Secretary to award a grant to one or more private entities to operate a 24-hour, national, toll-free hotline for domestic violence (hereinafter, “hotline”). Since 1995, HHS has entered into a cooperative agreement with a nonprofit organization to operate the National Domestic Violence Hotline, with funding that has been competitively awarded. The hotline is currently administered by an organization in Texas of the same name.51. Since 1996, HHS has competitively awarded a cooperative agreement to the National Council on Family Violence in Texas to operate the National Domestic Violence Hotline (hereinafter, hotline).⁴² The agreement was most recently awarded for a five-year period that extends from the end of FY2020 through the end of FY2020.

FY2025.52 FVPSA requires that the hotline provide information and assistance to adult and youth victims of domestic violence, family and household members of victims of such violence, and "“persons affected by victimization."” This includes support related to domestic violence, children exposed to domestic violence, sexual assault, intervention programs for abusive partners, and related issues. As required under FVPSA, the hotline carries out multiple activities:

•  It employs, trains, and supervises personnel to answer incoming callscal s; provides counseling and referral services; and directly connects callerscal ers to service providers. In FY2018, the hotline received about 23,000 callscal s each month and responded to 74% of all callsal cal s (which was below its FY2018 target of 82%). It also had an average of nearly 413,000 online chats on a monthly basis and responded to 59% of chats (which was below the 82% target). HHS reported that some callscal s were missed due to increased volume related to media coverage of domestic violence, increased Spanish chat services, and forwarding of callscal s from local domestic violence hotlines due to severe weather.⁴³
• 53  It maintains a database of domestic violence services for victims throughout the United States, including information on the availability of shelter and services.
•  It provides assistance to meet the needs of special populations, including underserved populations, individuals with disabilities, and youth victims of domestic violence and dating violence. The hotline provides access to personnel for cal ersfor callers with limited English proficiency and persons who are deaf and hard of hearing. https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/delta/impact/index.html. 50 42 U.S.C §10413 (National Domestic Violence Hotline Grant). 51 For further information, see National Domestic Violence Hotline, “History,” https://www.thehotline.org/about/history/. 52 HHS, ACF, FYSB, “$20.59 Million Awarded to Support Victims of Domestic Violence and their Children, ” press release, https://www.acf.hhs.gov/media/press/2020/millions-awarded-to-support -victims-of-domestic-violence-and-their-children. 53 HHS, Administration for Children and Families FY2021 Justification of Estimates for Appropriations Committees, pp. 199-202 (hereinafter, “ HHS, ACF FY2021 Justification of Estim ates”). Congressional Research Service 15 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding hearing.

Since 2007, the hotline has operated a separate helpline for youth victims of domestic violence, the National Dating Abuse Helpline (known as loveisrespect.org), which is funded through the appropriation for the hotline. This helpline offers real-time support primarily from peer advocates trained to provide support, information, and advocacy to those involved in abusive dating relationships, as well wel as others who support victims.⁴⁴54 In FY2018, the helpline received a monthly average of about 2,400 calls; 4,000cal s; 3,800 online chats; and nearly 1,300 texts.⁴⁵

A 2019 study of these two lines55 In addition, the National Domestic Violence Hotline has collaborated with the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center to develop and fund the StrongHearts Native Helpline for Native American survivors of domestic abuse.56 The helpline uses the technology and infrastructure of the hotline, and draws from the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center to provide Native-centered, cultural y appropriate services for survivors and others. National Domestic Violence Hotline Study A 2018 study of the national and youth hotlines examined a number of their features, including who contacts the lines, the study needs and demographic characteristics of those contacts, how contacts individuals, how they reach the lines, and the type of support they receive. The study found that nearly half (48%) of those who cal ed the hotline the contacts were victims/survivors and another 39% did not identify themselves. The remainder were The remaining contacts were from family/friends, abusers, and service providers. According to the study, the service most commonly provided to contactors was emotional support and contactors valued this support highly.⁴⁶ The National Domestic Violence Hotline has collaborated with the National Indigenous Women's Resource Center to develop and fund the StrongHearts Native Helpline for Native American survivors of domestic abuse.⁴⁷ The helpline uses the technology and infrastructure of the hotline, and draws from the National Indigenous Women's Resource Center to provide Native-centered, culturally appropriate services for survivors and others.

Overview of Shelterwas emotional support, which recipients reportedly valued highly.57 Another study, published in 2020, evaluated the short-term outcomes of contacting the hotline.58 Among those who completed a follow-up survey immediately after they made contact, the majority of hotline users (83% to 98%) reported improvements on al of the outcomes measured, including knowledge of domestic and/or dating violence, safety planning, and options and resources, and in their confidence about making decisions, comfort asking for help, and hopefulness for the future. These self-reported outcomes were higher among domestic violence victims/survivors as compared to others (e.g., family/friends and service providers) who contacted the hotline.59 54 National Council on Family Violence, “loveisrespect.org,” http://www.loveisrespect.org/. 55 HHS, ACF FY2021 Justification of Estimates, p. 192. 56 T he National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center is a nonprofit organization that serves as the FVPSA -funded national Indian Resource Center to assist tribes and tribal organizations in responding to domestic violence. See StrongHearts Native Helpline, “About StrongHearts,” https://www.strongheartshelpline.org/about/. 57 HHS, ACF, Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE), An Evaluation of the National Domestic Violence Hotline and loveisrespect Report from the Accom plishm ents of the Dom estic Violence Hotline, Online Connections, and Text Project, OPRE Report #2018-117, December 2018. 58 HHS, ACF, OPRE, Short-Term Outcomes for Users of the National Domestic Violence Hotline and loveisrespect. OPRE Report #2020-55, April 2020. Because of safety and confidentiality concerns, the survey was only given to users who did not need an immediate referral. T he study also included outcomes from a two -week follow-up survey; however, the response rates for this survey were low and not generalizable to the broader population of hotline users. Also see George Washington University, Milken Institute School of Public Health, Short-Term Outcom es After Contacting The National Dom estic Violence Hotline and loveisrespect: Com paring Survivors to Other Contactors , for HHS, ACF, FYSB and OPRE, OPRE Report # 2020-119, p. 12, September 2, 2020. 59 Ibid, p. 59. Congressional Research Service 16 link to page 22 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding Overview of Shelters, Services, and Support , Services, and Support

Funding for shelter, supportdomestic violence shelters, victim services, and program support (hereinafter, “shelter and services”) encompasses multiple activities: formula grants to states and territories; grants to tribes; state domestic violence coalitions; national and special issue resource centers, including those that provide technical assistance; specialized services for abused parents and their children exposed to domestic violence; and program support and administrationadministration. Figure 2 shows FY2018 allocations FY2020 al ocations for activities included as part of shelter and services. Figure 2. Allocations for Activities Funded under Domestic Violence Shelters, Victim Services, and Program Support, FY2020 (Total: $219,985,157) Source: Actual funding levels for FY2020, as obtained through CRS correspondence for activities included as part of shelter, support services, and program support.

Figure 2. Amount and Share of FY2018 Funding for Shelter, Support Services, and Program Support (Total: $158,398,811)

Source: Congressional Research Service, based on correspondence with the U.S. Department of Health Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), November 2018.

(ACF), September 2020. Domestic violence shelters, victim services, and program support received $175 mil ion by the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (P.L. 116-94) and $45 mil ion provided by the CARES Act (P.L. 116-136). The following sections of the report provide further information about grants to states, territories, and tribes; and state domestic violence coalitions. In addition, the report provides information about national and special issue resource centers. The section of the report on services for children and youth exposed to domestic violence includes information about FY2018FY2020 and earlier support for specialized services for abused parents and children exposed to domestic violence.

. Formula Grants to States, Territories, and Tribes

No less than 70% of FVPSA appropriations for shelter and services must be awarded to states and territories through a formula grant. The formula grant supports the establishment, maintenance, and expansion of programs and projects to prevent incidents of domestic violence and to provide shelter and supportive services to victims of domestic violence. Each of the territories—Guam, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands—receives no less than one-eighth of 1% of the appropriation, or, in combination, about one-half of 1% of the total amount appropriated. Of the remaining funds, states (including the District of Congressional Research Service 17 link to page 40 link to page 24 link to page 24 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding Columbia and Puerto Rico) receive a base allotmental otment of $600,000 and additional funding based on their relative share of the U.S. population.⁴⁸60 Appendix C provides formula funding for FY2018 and FY2019FY2019 and FY2020 by state and territory.

In addition, no less than 10% of FVPSA appropriations for shelter and services are awarded to Indian tribes. Indian tribes have the option to authorize a tribal organization or a nonprofit private organization to submit an application for and to administer FVPSA funds.

In applying for grant funding, states and territories (hereinafter, states“states”) must make certain assurances pertaining to the use and distribution of funds and to victims. Nearly all al of the same requirements that pertain to states and territories also pertain to tribes.

Selected Grant Conditions Pertaining to Use and Distribution of Funds⁴⁹

In FY2018, programs funded by grants for states and tribes supported over 252,000 clients in residential settings (see Figure 3) and more than 1.0 mil ion clients in nonresidential settings. According to HHS, the majority (93.4%) of clients reported improved knowledge of safety planning, a metric that HHS points to as being associated with other positive long-term outcomes. However, programs were not able to meet 255,300 requests for shelter because programs were at capacity (see Figure 3) (these requests can include multiple requests made by a single individual).61 Relatedly, a 2019 census count of domestic violence programs and shelters by the National Network to End Domestic Violence’s (NNEDV) found that on the date of the survey, victims made 11,336 requests for services. This included 7,732 requests for shelter, which “could not be provided because programs lacked the resources to meet victims’ needs.”62 60 42 U.S.C. §10405 (Allotment of funds). T he FVPSA law defines a “state” to include each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and except as otherwise provided, Guam, America Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. 42 U.S.C. §10410(10) (Definitions). 61 HHS, ACF FY2021 Justification of Estimates, p. 207. See also, HHS, ACF, FVPSA Report to Congress 2013-2014, pp. 17-21. T his is the most recent report available. 62 National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), 14th Annual Domestic Violence Counts Census Report, March 2020, pp. 1, 8. NNEDV is a membership and advocacy organization, and its census count is not associated with FVPSA. Congressional Research Service 18 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding Figure 3. Residential Clients and Unmet Requests for Shelter at FVPSA-Funded Shelters, FY2014-FY2018 Source: Created by CRS using data from HHS, Administration for Children and Families Justification of Estimates, FY2018-FY2021. The number of clients includes individuals who received shelter within the fiscal year. The number of unmet requests refers to requests that were made for shelter but could not be provided because programs were at capacity. One person could submit multiple requests. Selected Grant Conditions Pertaining to Use and Distribution of Funds63 States may use up to 5% of their grant funding for state administrative costs. The remainder of the funds are used to make subgrants to eligible entities for community-based projects (hereinafter, subgrantees“subgrantees”) that meet the goals of the grant program. No less than 70% of subgrant funding is to be used to provide temporary shelter and related supportive services, which include the physical space in which victims reside as well wel as the expenses of running shelter facilities.⁵⁰64 No less than 25% of subgrant funding is to be used for the following supportive services and prevention services:⁵¹

• 65  assisting in the development of safety plans, and supporting efforts of victims to make decisions about their ongoing safety and wellwel -being;
•  providing individual and group counseling, peer support groups, and referrals to community-based services to assist victims and their dependents in recovering from the effects of domestic violence;
•  providing services, training, technical assistance, and outreach to increase awareness of domestic violence and increase the accessibility of these services;
• providing culturally and linguistically appropriate services;
•  providing cultural y and linguistical y appropriate services;  providing services for children exposed to domestic violence, including age- appropriate counseling, supportive services, and services for the nonabusing 63 42 U.S.C. §10407 (St ate application). 64 42 U.S.C. §10408(b) (Subgrants and uses of funds). 65 For example, of the 70% set -aside for shelter and related supportive services, all of it could be used for shelter; however, an additional 25% must be used for supportive services. Congressional Research Service 19 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding parent that support that parent’parent that support that parent's role as caregiver (which may include services that work with the nonabusing parent and child together);
•  providing advocacy, case management services, and information and referral services concerning issues related to domestic violence intervention and prevention, including providing assistance in accessing federal and state financial assistance programs; legal advocacy; medical advocacy, including provision of referrals for appropriate health care services (but not reimbursement for any health care services); assistance in locating and securing safe and affordable permanent housing and homelessness prevention services; and transportation, child care, respite care, job training and employment services, financial literacy services and education, financial planning, and related economic empowerment services;
•  providing parenting and other educational services for victims and their dependents; and
•  providing prevention services, including outreach to underserved populations. Subgrantees that receive funding must provide a nonfederal match—of not less than $1 for every $5 of federal funding—directly from the state or through donations from public or private entities.66 The matching funds can be in cash or in kind. Further, federal funds made available to a state must supplement, and not supplant, other federal, state, and local public funds expended on services for victims of domestic violence. What are eligible entities that can receive subgrant funding from states? A local public agency, or nonprofit private organization—including faith-based and charitable organizations, community-based organizations, tribal organizations, and voluntary associations—that assists victims of domestic violence and their dependents and has a documented history of effective work on this type of violence; or a partnership of two or more agencies or organizations that includes an agency or organization described above and an agency or organization that has a demonstrated history of serving populations in their communities, including providing cultural y appropriate services. Source: 42 U.S.C. §10408(c). providing prevention services, including outreach to underserved populations.
  

States must also provide assurances that they will wil consult with and facilitate the participation of state domestic violence coalitions in planning and monitoring the distribution of grants and administering the grants (the role of state domestic violence coalitions is subsequently discussed further).⁵²67 States must describe how they will wil involve community-based organizations, whose primary purpose is to provide culturallycultural y appropriate services to underserved populations, including how such organizations can assist states in meeting the needs of these populations. States must further provide assurances that they have laws or procedures in place to bar an abuser from a shared household or a household of the abused persons, which may include eviction laws or procedures, where appropriate. Such laws or procedures are generallygeneral y enforced by civil protection orders, or restraining orders to limit the perpetrators'’ physical proximity to the victim. 66 42 U.S.C. §10406(c) (Formula grants to states-grant conditions). 67 T ribes do not necessarily have domestic violence coalitions and therefore related provisions do no t apply; however, state domestic violence coalitions must collaborate with Indian tribes an d tribal organizations (and corresponding Native Hawaiian groups or communities) to address the needs of Indian (including Alaska Native) and Native Hawaiian victims of domestic violence. 42 U.S.C. §10411(d)(8). T he Violence Against Women Act of 1994 autho rizes funding for tribal domestic violence coalitions under T ribal Coalition Grants (34 U.S.C. §10441(d)). T he program is funded by statutory set -asides from the VAWA-authorized ST OP program and Sexual Assault Services program. Congressional Research Service 20 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding In funding subgrantees, states must “give special emphasis” to supporting community-based projects of “demonstrated effectiveness” carried out by nonprofit organizations that operate shelters for victims of domestic violence and their dependents; or that provide counseling, advocacy, and self-help services to victims. States have discretion in how they al ocate their funding, so long as they provide assurances that grant funding wil be distributed equitably within the state and between urban and rural areas of the state. States have two years to spend funds. For example, funds al otted for FY2020 may be spent in FY2020 or FY2021. The HHS Secretary is authorized to real ocate physical proximity to the victim.

States have two years to spend funds. For example, funds allotted for FY2019 may be spent in FY2019 or FY2020. The HHS Secretary is authorized to reallocate the funds of a state, by the end the funds of a state, by the end of the sixth month of a fiscal year that funds are appropriated, if the state fails to meet the requirements of the grant. The Secretary must notify the state if its application for funds has not met these requirements. State domestic violence coalitions are permitted to help determine whether states are in compliance with these provisions. States are allowedal owed six months to correct any deficiencies in their application.

Selected Grant Conditions Pertaining to Victims68 Selected Grant Conditions Pertaining to Victims⁵⁴

The grant for states addresses the individual characteristics and privacy of participants and shelters. Both states and subgrantees funded under FVPSA may not deny individuals from participating in support programs on the basis of disability, sex, race, color, national origin, or religion (this also applies to FPVSAFVPSA-funded activities generallygeneral y). In addition, states and subgrantees may not impose income eligibility requirements on individuals participatingpartic ipating in these programs. Further, states and subgrantees must protect the confidentiality and privacy of victims and their families to help ensure their safety. These entities are prohibited from disclosing any personallypersonal y identifying information collected about services requested, and from revealing personallypersonal y identifying information without the consent of the individual, as specified in the law. If disclosing the identity of the individual is compelled is compel ed by statutory or court mandate, states and subgrantees must make reasonable attempts to notify victims, and they must take steps to protect the privacy and safety of the individual.

States and subgrantees may share information that has been aggregated and does not identify individuals, and information that has been generated by law enforcement and/or prosecutors and courts pertaining to protective orders or law enforcement and prosecutorial purposes. In addition, the location of confidential shelters may not be made public, except with written authorization of the person(s) operating the shelter. Subgrantees may not provide direct payment to any victim of domestic violence or the dependent(s) of the victim. Further, victims must be provided shelter and services on a voluntary basis. In other words, providers cannot compel or force individuals to come to a shelter, participate in counseling, etc.

State Domestic Violence Coalitions⁵⁶

Coalitions69 Since 1992, FVPSA has authorized funding for state domestic violence coalitions (SDVCs). A SDVC is defined under the act as a statewide nongovernmental, nonprofit private domestic violence organization that (1) has a membership that includes a majority of the primary-purpose domestic violence service providers in the state;⁵⁷70 (2) has board membership that is representative of domestic violence service providers, and that may include representatives of the communities 68 42 U.S.C. §10406(c) (Formula grants to states-grant conditions) and 42 §10408(d) (Subgrants and use of funds-conditions). 69 42 U.S.C. §10411 (Grants to State Domestic Violence Coalitions). 70 SDVCs may include representatives of Indian tribes and tribal organizations. See §42 U.S.C. 10411(h) (Indian representatives). Congressional Research Service 21 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding in which the services are being provided; (3) has as its purpose to provide education, support, and technical assistance to such service providers so they can maintain shelter and supportive services for victims of domestic violence and their dependents; and (4) serves as an information clearinghouse and resource center on domestic violence for the state and supports the development of policies, protocols, and procedures to enhance domestic violence intervention and prevention in the state.⁵⁸

71 Funding for SDVCs is available for each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and four territories (American Samoa, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands). Each jurisdiction has one SDVC, and these coalitions are designated by HHS.72 Funding is divided evenly among these 56 jurisdictions. SDVCs must use FVPSA funding for specific activities, as follows:

•  working with local domestic violence service programs and providers of direct services to encourage appropriate and comprehensive responses to domestic violence against adults or youth within the state, including providing training and technical assistance to subgrantees and conducting needs assessments;
•  participating in planning and monitoring the distribution of subgrants and subgrant funds within the state under the grant program for states and territories;
•  working in collaboration with service providers and community-based organizations to address the needs of domestic violence victims and their dependents who are non-White or include underserved populations;  dependents who are members of racial and ethnic minority populations and underserved populations;
• collaborating with and providing information to entities in such fields as housing, health care, mental health, social welfare, or business to support the development and implementation of effective policies, protocols, and programs that address the safety and support needs of adult and youth victims of domestic  violence;
•  encouraging appropriate responses to cases of domestic violence against adult and youth victims, including by working with judicial and law enforcement agencies;
•  working with family law judges, criminal court judges, child protective service agencies, and children'’s advocates to develop appropriate responses to child custody and visitation issues in cases of children exposed to domestic violence, and in cases where this violence is concurrent with child abuse;
•  providing information to the public about prevention of domestic violence and dating violence, including information targeted to underserved populations; and
•  collaborating with Indian tribes and tribal organizations (and Native Hawaiian Hawai an groups or communities) to address the needs of Indian (including Alaska Native) and Native Hawaiian Hawai an victims of domestic dating violence, as applicable in the state.73 71 42 U.S.C. §10402(11) (Definitions). 72 For a list of state domestic violence coalitions, see National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), “State & U.S. T erritory Coalitions,” nnedv.org/content/state-u-s-territory-coalitions. 73 A SDVC is not required to use funds for two purpose areas (i.e., encouraging appropriate responses to cases of domestic violence against adult and youth victims; and working with family law judges, crimin al court judges, child protective service agencies, and children’s advocates) if it receives funding to carry out these activities authorized under the Violence Against Women Act. T hese activities include grants to help states; Indian tribal governments; state, local, and tribal courts; state domestic violence coalitions; and local governments develop and strengthen effective law enforcement and prosecution strategies to combat violent crimes against women and develop and strengthen victim Congressional Research Service 22 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding Resource Centers As original y state.⁵⁹

Training and Technical Assistance Centers

As originally enacted, FVPSA authorized a national information and research clearinghouse on the prevention of domestic violence. As part of the act'’s reauthorization in 1992, the language about the clearinghouse was struck and replaced with authorization for resource centers on domestic violence, including special issue resource centers to address key areas of domestic violence. Reauthorization of FVPSA in 2010 added authorization for a national resource center on American Indian women and three culturallycultural y specific resources, which had previously been funded through discretionary funds.⁶⁰74 The 2010 law also authorized special issue resource centers that provide training and technical assistance on domestic violence intervention and prevention topics and state resource centers to address disparities in domestic violence in states with high proportions of Indian (including Alaska Native) or Native Hawaiian populations.⁶¹

Hawai an populations.75 In total, HHS administers grants for 14 training and technical assistanceresource centers that are funded by the FVPSA appropriation for shelter,domestic violence shelters, victim services, and program support.76 The purpose of these resource centers is to provide information, training, and technical assistance on domestic violence issues. This assistance is provided by nonprofit organizations and other entities to multiple stakeholders—individuals, organizations, governmental entities, and communities—so that they can improve their capacity for preventing and responding to domestic violence.

Teen Dating Violence

Background

Demonstration Projects Using unal ocated funds, HHS launched a demonstration project “to enhance supportive housing” for domestic violence survivors in FY2019 and FY2020.77 HHS provided $500,000 in each year to the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV) (selected through a competitive process78) for a five-year housing project cal ed the National Capacity Building Center on Safe and Supportive Housing for Domestic Violence Survivors.79 The project aims to improve the capacity of domestic violence, housing, and homeless service providers to support clients’ housing needs through training and technical assistance. It also seeks to conduct and disseminate research on approaches to housing-related issues for survivors.80 services. See 34 U.S.C. §10441 et seq. 74 T his is based on CRS correspondence with HHS, ACF, September 2012. 75 42 U.S.C §10410(b)(1)(A) authorizes the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence; 42 U.S.C §10410(b)(1)(B) authorizes the National Resource Center Addressin g Domestic Violence and Safety for Indian Women; 42 U.S.C §10410(b)(2) authorizes the special issue resource centers; and 42 U.S.C §10410(b)(3) authorizes state centers to reduce tribal disparities (Indian, including Alaska Natives or Native Hawaiians). 76 HHS, ACF, FYSB, “Resource Centers,” https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/programs/family-violence-prevention-services/programs/centers. 77 HHS, ACF FY2021 Justification of Estimates, pp. 205-206. 78 HHS, ACF, “Funding Opportunity Announcement: Family Violence Prevention and Services Discretionary Grants: National Capacity Building Center on Safe and Supportive Housing for Domestic Violence Survivors, ” HHS-2016-ACF-ACYF-EV-1160, 2016, https://ami.grantsolutions.gov/files/HHS-2016-ACF-ACYF-EV-1160_0.pdf. 79 T his is based on CRS correspondence with HHS, ACF, September 2020. 80 Safe Housing Partnerships, “About the Consortium,” https://safehousingpartnerships.org/about/. Congressional Research Service 23 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding Teen Dating Violence Background Teenagers may be exposed to violence in their dating relationships. The CDC reports that on an annual basis, 1 in 911 female teens and 1 in 1315 male teens experienced physical dating violence involving a person who hurts or tries to hurt a partner by hitting, kicking, or using another type of physical force. Further, over 1 in 79 female teens and nearly 1 in 1936 male teens reported experiencing sexual dating violence in the last yearwithin a recent one-year period, which includes forcing or attempting to force a partner to take part in a sexual act, sexual touching, or a nonphysical sexual event (e.g., sexting) when the partner does not or cannot consent.⁶²

81 The FVPSA statute references dating violence throughout and uses the definition of "“dating violence"violence” that is in VAWA. The term is defined as violence committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim, and where the existence of the relationship is determined based on the length, type, and frequency of interaction between the persons in it.⁶³

82 Domestic violence shelters and supportive services funded by FVPSA are intended for often geared towards adult victims and their children if they accompany the adult into shelter. The lawFVPSA statute does does not explicitly authorize supports for youth victims of dating violence who are unaccompanied by their parents; however, the law does not limit eligibility for shelter and services based on age. Access to domestic violence shelters and supports for teen victims, including protective orders against abusers, varies by state.⁶⁴83 The primary source of support for teen victims under FVPSA is provided via the National Domestic Violence Hotlinenational domestic violence hotline. The hotline includes the loveisrespect helpline helpline and related online resources. Youth victims can callcal , chat, or text with peer advocates for support. The loveisrespect website includes a variety of materials that address signs of abuse and resources for getting help.⁶⁵

84 Children Exposed to Domestic Violence

Background

FVPSA referencesstatute and regulations reference children exposed to domestic violence, but does not define related terminology. According to the research literature, this exposure can include children who see and/or hear violent acts, are present for the aftermath (e.g., seeing bruises on a mother'mother’s body, moving to a shelter), or live in a house where domestic violence occurs, regardless of whether they see and/or hear the violence. A frequently cited estimate is that between 10% and 20% of children (approximately 7 million to 10 million mil ion to 10 mil ion children) are exposed to adult domestic violence each year.⁶⁶85 The literature about the impact of domestic violence is evolving. The effects 81 HHS, CDC, “Preventing T een Dating Violence,” 2020, https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/teendatingviolence/fastfact.html. 82 34 U.S.C. §12291(a)(10). 83 Break the Cycle, 2010 State Law Report Cards: A National Survey of Teen Dating Violence Laws, 2010. 84 National Council on Family Violence, “Love is Respect,” http://www.loveisrespect.org/. 85 Jeffrey J. Edleson, Narae Shin, and Katy K. Armedariz Johnson, “Measuring Children’s Exposure to Domestic Violence: T he Development and T esting of the Child Exposure to Domestic Violence (CEDV) Scale,” Children and Youth Services Review, vol. 30, November 6, 2007, pp. 502-521. Congressional Research Service 24 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding The literature about the impact of domestic violence is evolving. The effects of domestic violence on children can range from little or no effect to severe psychological harm and physical effects, depending on the type and severity of abuse and protective factors, among other variables.⁶⁷

Multiple 86 Multiple FVPSA activities address children exposed to domestic and related violence:

•  One of the purposes of the formula grant program for states is to provide specialized services (e.g., counseling, advocacy, and other assistance) for these children.⁶⁸
• abused parents and their children.87  The National Resource Center on Domestic Violence is directed to offer domestic violence programs and research that include both victims and their children exposed to domestic violence.
•  The national resource center that addresses mental health and trauma issues is required to address victims of domestic violence and their children who are exposed to this violence.
•  State domestic violence coalitions must, among other activities, work with the legal system, child protective services, and children'’s advocates to develop appropriate responses to child custody and visitation issues in cases involving children exposed to domestic violence.

In addition to these provisions, the FVPSA statute authorizes funding for specialized services for abused parents and their children. (discussed subsequently). Other FVPSA activities for children exposed to domestic violence have also been funded through discretionary funding and funding leveraged through a fundraising or semipostal stamp.

Specialized Services for Abused Parents and Their Children/Expanding Services for Children and Youth Exposed to Domestic Violence⁶⁹

Exposed to Domestic Violence88 Since 2003, FVPSA has specified that funding must be set aside for activitiesspecialized services to to address children exposed to domestic violence if the appropriation for shelter, victim services, and program support exceeds $130 million.⁷⁰mil ion.89 Under current law, if funding is triggered, HHS must first reserve not less than 25% of funding above $130 millionmil ion to make grants to a local agency, nonprofit organization, or tribal organization with a demonstrated record of serving victims of domestic violence and their children. These funds are intended to expand the capacity of service programs and community-based programs to prevent future domestic violence by 86 Alice Summers, Children’s Exposure to Domestic Violence: A Guide to Research and Resources, National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges and DOJ, OJP , Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 2006, pp. 5-6. 87 In a 2019 one-day census count of domestic violence shelter and service providers, 56% reported providing support and advocacy for children on that day and 81% reported providing this support and advocacy throughout the year. National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), Dom estic Violence Counts 2019. Not all of these providers receive funding under the formula grant program. 88 42 U.S.C. §10406 (Formula Grants to States). 89 T his was enacted as a provision under the Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003 (P.L. 108-36). T he 2010 reauthorization of FVPSA (P.L. 111-320) created a new section at 42 U.S.C. §10412 (Specialized Services for Abused Parents and T heir Children), which has the same purpose as the original provision. Congressional Research Service 25 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding of service programs and community-based programs to prevent future domestic violence by addressing the needs of children exposed to domestic violence. Funding has exceeded $130 million mil ion in FY2010 and FY2014 through FY2019.

In FY2010, funding for shelter and services was just over $130 millionmil ion. HHS reserved the excess funding as well wel as FVPSA discretionary funding (under shelter, victim services, and program support) to fund specialized services for abused parents and their children through an initiative known as Expanding Services for Children and Youth Exposed to Domestic Violence. HHS also used discretionary money to fund the initiative in FY2011 and FY2012. Total funding for the initiative initiative was $2.5 millionmil ion. This funding was awarded to five grantees—four state domestic violence coalitions and one national technical assistance provider—to expand supports to children, youth, and parents exposed to domestic violence and build strategies for serving this population.⁷¹90 For example, the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, the state domestic violence coalition for Alaska, used the funding to improve coordination between domestic violence agencies and the child welfare system. Their work involved developing an integrated training curriculum and policies, and creation of a multidisciplinary team of child welfare and domestic violence stakeholders in four communities.

Funding again exceeded $130 million mil ion in each of FY2014 through FY2019FY2020, thereby triggering the set-aside. In FY2014 and FY2015, HHS directed the extra funding for shelter,domestic violence shelters, victim services, and program support.⁷² In91 For FY2016 through FY2018FY2020, HHS provided funding for specialized services for abused parents and their children and expects to continue such funding for FY2019.⁷³ Of the approximately $20 million in excess funding for each of these three years, approximately $5.0 million to $5.6 million was allocated in each year for these services.⁷⁴ This recent funding has been allocated. From FY2016 through FY2019, approximately $5.0 mil ion to $6.5 mil ion was al ocated to 12 grantees to provide direct services under the grant, Specialized Services for Abused Parents and their Children (SSPAC).92 In FY2020, HHS awarded $7.8 mil ion to a second cohort of 26 SSPAC grantees to carry out projects through FY2022.93 Grantees include domestic violence coalitions and other entities. They are working to alleviate al eviate trauma experienced by children who are exposed to domestic violence, support enhanced relationships between these children and their parents, and improve systemic responses to such families. A separate grant of $500,000 annually—known as Expanding Services to Children, Youth, and Abused Parents (ESCYAP)—has been awarded annual y to the nonprofit organization Futures Without Violence to provide training and technical assistance to the 12 grantees and facilitate coordination among them.⁷⁵

through what is known as the Promising Futures Capacity Building Center.94 In FY2020, the grant amount was nearly $1.7 mil ion.95 90 T he grantees were New Jersey Coalition for Battered Women, Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence, and Family Violence Prevention Fund. 91 T he FY2016 budget request noted that “In previous budgets [FY2014 through FY2015] this provision was overridden in order to direct resources to shelters.” HHS, FY2016 Adm inistration for Children and Fam ilies Justification of Estim ates for Appropriations Com m ittees, p. 212. 92 T his is based on CRS correspondence with HHS, ACF in November 2020 and HHS, ACF, FYSB, “ 2016 – 2020 Family Violence Prevention and Services Discretionary Grant Specialized Services to Abused Parents and T heir Children (SSAPC) and Expanding Services to Children, Youth, and Abused Parents (ESCYAP) Grantee Profiles,” https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/resource/ssapc-escyap-grantees-2016. 93 T his is based on CRS correspondence with HHS, ACF in November 2020 and HHS, ACF, FYSB, “$20.59 Million Awarded to Support Victims of Domestic Violence and their Children,” press release, https://www.acf.hhs.gov/media/press/2020/millions-awarded-to-support -victims-of-domestic-violence-and-their-children. 94 Futures Without Violence, “Promising Futures: Best Practices for Serving Children, Youth, and Parents Experiencing Domestic Violence,” https://promising.futureswithoutviolence.org. 95 T his is based on CRS correspondence with HHS, ACF in November 2020. Congressional Research Service 26 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding FVPSA Interaction with Other Federal Laws FVPSA Interaction with Other Federal Laws

In addition to the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), FVPSA has been reauthorized by VAWA and shares some of that law'’s purposes. In addition, FVPSA interacts with the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) because some FVPSA-funded programs receive VOCA funding to provide legal and other assistance to victims.⁷⁶96 Further, FVPSA includes provisions that encourage or require HHS to coordinate FVPSA programs with related programs and research carried out by other federal agencies.

Child Abuse and Neglect

FVPSA does not focus on child abuse per se; however, in enacting FVPSA as part of the 1984 amendments to CAPTA, some Members of Congress and other stakeholders noted that child abuse and neglect and intimate partner violence are not isolated problems, and can arise simultaneously.⁷⁷97 The research literature has focused on this association. In a national study of children in families who come into contact with a public child welfare agency through an investigation of child abuse and neglect, investigative caseworkers identified 28% of the children'children’s households as having a history of domestic violence against the caregiver and 12% of those caregivers as being in active domestic violence situations. Further, about 1 out of 10 of the child cases of maltreatment reported included domestic violence.⁷⁸

98 CAPTA provides funding to states to improve their child protective services (CPS) systems. It requires states, as a condition of receiving certain CAPTA funds, to describe their policies to enhance and promote collaboration between child protective service and domestic violence agencies, among other social service providers.⁷⁹99 Other federal efforts also address the association between domestic violence and child abuse. For example, the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program supports efforts to improve the outcomes of young children living in communities with concentrations of domestic violence or child maltreatment, among other factors. The program provides grants to states, territories, and tribes for the support of evidence-based early childhood home visiting programs that provide in-home visits by health or social service professionals with at-risk families.⁸⁰

Separately, the Family Connection Grants⁸¹100 96 T he majority of nonresidential domestic violence programs participating in a 2011 survey reported that they received FVPSA funding (65%) and other federal funding under the Victims of Crime Act (73%) or the Violence Against Women Act (76%). FVPSA funding made up 18% of the programs’ budget; VOCA funding made up 21% of the programs’ budget; and VAWA funding made up 15% of the programs’ budget. Eleanor Lynn, Jill Bradshaw, and Anne Menard, Meeting Survivors’ Needs Through Non-Residential Dom estic Violence Services & Supports: Results of a Multi-State Study, University of Connecticut, School of Social Work and National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, prepared for DOJ, OJP, NIJ, November 2011. 97 U.S. Congress, House Select Committee on Children, Youth, and Families, Violence and Abuse in American Fam ilies, 98th Cong., 2nd sess., June 14, 1984. See for example, statement of Representative David Marriott. 98 Cecilia Casanueva et al., NSCAW II Baseline Report: Maltreatment, HHS, ACF, Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation, Final Report, August 2011, pp. 5 -6, 15. T hose percentages include all children without regard to whether the child was subsequently removed from the home. For children who stayed in the home following the investigation, the comparable percentages were the same (28% and 12%); for children removed from the home following the investigation, the comparable numbers were slightly h igher (30% and 16%); however, this percentage difference was not statistically significant. T he study did not compare the prevalence of domestic violence for families generally. 99 42 U.S.C. §5106a(a)(14) (Development and operation grants). 100 For further information, see CRS Report R43930, Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program : Background and Funding . Congressional Research Service 27 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding Separately, the Family Connection Grants101 program, authorized under Title IV-B of the Social Security Act, provided funding from FY2009 through FY2014 to public child welfare agencies and nonprofit private organizations to help children—whether they are in foster care or at risk of entering foster care—connect (or reconnect) with birth parents or other extended kin. The funds were used to establish or support certain activities, including family group decisionmaking meetings that enable families to develop plans that nurture children and protect them from abuse and neglect, and, when appropriate, to safely facilitate connecting children exposed to domestic violence to relevant services and reconnecting them with the abused parent.⁸²

102 In addition, HHS and the Department of Justice supported the Greenbook Initiative in the early 2000s. The Greenbook was developed from the efforts of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges,⁸³103 which convened family court judges and experts on child maltreatment and domestic violence. In 1999, this group developed guidelines for child welfare agencies, domestic violence providers, and dependency courts in responding to domestic violence and child abuse in a publication that came to be known as the Greenbook. Soon after, HHS and DOJ funded efforts in six communities to address domestic violence and child maltreatment by implementing guidelines from the Greenbook.⁸⁴ The104 Final y, the ongoing, HHS-led Federal Interagency Working Group on Child Abuse and Neglect includes a Domestic Violence Subcommittee.⁸⁵105 The committee focuses on interagency initiatives that address children exposed to domestic violence and promoting information exchange and joint planning among federal agencies.

Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)⁸⁶

106 FVPSA has twice been amended by VAWA. Both FVPSA and VAWA are the primary vehicles for federal support to prevent and respond to domestic violence, including children and youth who are exposed to this violence; however, FVPSA has a more singular focus on prevention and services for victims, while VAWA'’s unique contributions are more focused on law enforcement and legal response to domestic violence.

VAWA VAWA was enacted in 1994 after Congress held a series of hearings on the causes and effects of domestic and other forms of violence against women. Some Members of Congress and others asserted that communities needed a more comprehensive response to violence against women generallygeneral y—not just against intimate partners—and that perpetrators should face harsher penalties.⁸⁷ The shortfalls107 The shortfal s of legal response and the need for a change in attitudes toward 101 For further information on CAPTA and Family Connection Grants, see CRS Report R43458, Child Welfare: An Overview of Federal Program s and Their Current Funding . 102 42 U.S.C. §627 (Family connection grants). 103 42 U.S.C. §627. T he National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges is the operator of the FVPSA-funded Child Protection and Custody Resource Center. 104 For further information, see National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, “T he Greenbook Initiative,” http://www.thegreenbook.info/. 105 HHS, Office on Women’s Health, Overview of Violence Against Women Activities 2010-2011, p. 28; and HHS, ACF,” Federal Inter-Agency Work Group on Child Abuse & Neglect,” https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/resource/fediawg. 106 For further information, see CRS Report R42499, The Violence Against Women Act: Overview, Legislation, and Federal Funding. 107 In their introduction t o the Violence Against Women Act, then-Senator Joseph Biden and Senator Barbara Boxer highlighted the weak legal response to violence against women by police and prosecutors. Senators Biden and Boxer, “Violence Against Women,” Remarks in the Senate, Congressional Record, June 21, 1994. See also Joseph Biden, “Violence Against Women: T he Congressional Response,” American Psychologist, vol. 48, no. 10 (October 1993), pp. Congressional Research Service 28 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding of legal response and the need for a change in attitudes toward violence against women were reasons cited for the passage of the law. Since VAWA'’s enactment, the federal response to domestic violence has expanded to involve multiple departments and activities that include investigating and prosecuting crimes, providing additional services to victims and abusers, and educating the criminal justice system and other stakeholders about violence against women.

Although VAWA also addresses other forms of violence against women and provides a broader response to domestic violence, some VAWA programs have a similar purpose to those carried out under FVPSA. Congress currently funds VAWA grant programs that address the needs of victims of domestic violence. These programs also provide support to victims of sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. For example, like the FVPSA grant program for states, territories, and tribes, VAWA'’s STOP (Services, Training, Officers, Prosecutors) Violence Against Women Formula Grant program provides services to victims of domestic and dating violence (and sexual assault and stalking) that include victim advocacy designed to help victims obtain needed resources or services, crisis intervention, and advocacy in navigating the criminal and/or civil legal system.⁸⁸ 108 Of STOP funds appropriated, 30% must be allocatedal ocated to victim services. STOP grants also support activities that are not funded under FVPSA, including for law enforcement, courts, and prosecution efforts. Another VAWA program, Transitional Housing Assistance Grants for Victims of Domestic Violence, provides transitional housing serviceshousing (either short-term emergency or transitional) for victims, with the goal of moving them into permanent housing. Through the grant program to states, territories, and tribes, FVPSA provides immediate and short-term shelter to victims of domestic violence and authorizes service providers to assist with locating and securing safe and affordable permanent housing and homelessness prevention services.

Victims of Crime Act (VOCA)

FVPSA requires that entities receiving funds under the grant programs for states, territories, and tribes use a certain share of funding for selected activities, including assistance in accessing other federal and state financial assistance programs.109 One source of federal finance assistance for victims of domestic violence is the Crime Victims Fund (CVF), authorized under the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) and administered by the Department of Justice'’s Office of Victims of Crime (OVC).110 Within the CVF, funds are available for victims of domestic violence through the Victim Compensation Formula Grants program and Victims Assistance Formula Grants program. The Victims Compensation Grants may be used to reimburse victims of crime for out-of-pocket expenses such as medical and mental health counseling expenses, lost wages, funeral and burial costs, and other costs (except property loss) authorized in a state'’s compensation statute. In recent years FY2018, approximately 40% of all claims filed were for victims of90% of claims that listed a specific victimization type were related to family and domestic violence.111 domestic violence. The Victims Assistance Formula Grants may be used to provide The Victims Assistance Formula Grants may be used to provide 1059-1061; Barbara Vobejda, “ Battered Women’s Cry Relayed Up From Grass Roots,” Washington Post, July 6, 1994, p. A1. 108 DOJ, OVW, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About STOP Formula Grants, updated October 2017. 109 42 U.S.C. 10408(b)(G)(1) (Subgrants and uses of funds). 110 Deposits to the CVF come from criminal finds, forfeited appearance bonds, penalties, and special assessments collected by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, federal courts, and the Federal Bureau of Prisoners. For further information, see CRS Report R42672, The Crim e Victim s Fund: Federal Support for Victim s of Crim e. 111 Of 51,680 claims that listed a specific victimization type, 46,233 (89.5%) were related to family and domestic violence. Another 191,601 claims did not list a specific victimization type. DOJ, OVC, “ Victims of Crime Act: Victim Compensation: Formula Grant Program: FY2018 Data Analysis Report,” p. 4. Congressional Research Service 29 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding grants to state crime victim assistance programs to administer funds for state and community-based victim service program operations. The grants support direct services to victims of crime including information and referral services, crisis counseling, temporary housing, criminal justice advocacy support, and other assistance needs. In recent yearsFY2018, approximately 5042% of victims served by these grants were victims of domestic violence.⁸⁹

112 Federal Coordination

Both FVPSA, which is administered within HHS, and VAWA, which is largely administered within DOJ, require federal agencies to coordinate their efforts to respond to domestic violence. For example, FVPSA authorizes the HHS Secretary to coordinate programs within HHS and to "“seek to coordinate"” those programs "“with programs administered by other federal agencies, that involve or affect efforts to prevent family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence or the provision of assistance for adults and youth victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence."⁹⁰”113 In addition, FVPSA directs HHS to assign employees to coordinate research efforts on family and related violence within HHS and research carried out by other federal agencies.⁹¹114 Similarly, VAWA requires the Attorney General to consult with stakeholders in establishing a task force—comprised of representatives from relevant federal agencies—to coordinate research on domestic violence and to report to Congress on any overlapping or duplication of efforts on domestic violence issues.⁹²

115 In 1995, HHS and DOJ convened the first meeting of the National Advisory Council on Violence Against Women. The purpose of the council was to promote greater awareness of violence against women and to advise the federal government on domestic violence issues. Since that time, the two departments have convened subsequent committees to carry out similar work. In 2010, then-Attorney General Eric Holder rechartered the National Advisory Committee on Violence Against Women, which had previously been established in 2006 under his predecessor.⁹³116 As stated in the charter, the committee is intended to provide the Attorney General and the HHS Secretary with policy advice on improving the nation'’s response to violence against women and coordinating stakeholders at the federal, state, and local levels in this response, with a focus on identifying and implementing successful interventions for children and teens who witness and/or are victimized by intimate partner and sexual violence.

Separately, the director for FVPSA programs and the deputy director of HHS'’s Office on Women'Women’s Health provide leadership to the HHS Steering Committee on Violence Against Women.⁹⁴117 This committee supports collaborativecol aborative efforts to address violence against women and their children, and includes representatives from the CDC and other HHS agencies. The members of the committee have established links with professional societies in the health and social service fields to increase attention on women'’s health and violence issues. In addition to these 112 DOJ, OVC, “Victims of Crime Act: Victim Assistance: Formula Grant Program: FY2018 Data Analysis Report,” p. 5. 113 42 U.S.C. §10404(a)(5) (Authority of Secretary—authorities). 114 42 U.S.C. §10404(b)(3)(C) (Authority of Secretary—administration). 115 42 U.S.C. §14042(a) (Task Force). 116 U.S. Department of Justice, “National Advisory Committee on Violence Against Women, ” https://www.justice.gov/ovw/national-advisory-committee-violence-against -women, and “ Charge to the National Advisory Committee on Violence Against Women,” April 2006. 117 HHS, Office on Women’s Health, Overview of Violence Against Women Activities 2010-2011. Congressional Research Service 30 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding s health and violence issues. In addition to these collaborative activities, multiple federal agencies participate in the Federal Interagency Workgroup on Teen Dating Violence, which was convened in 2006 to share information and coordinate teen dating violence program, policy, and research activities to combat teen dating violence from a public health perspective. The workgroup has funded a project to incorporate adolescents in the process for developing a research agenda to address teen dating violence.⁹⁵ Finally118 Final y, the Office of the Vice President (under Joe Biden) coordinated federal efforts to end violence against women, including by convening Cabinet-level officials to address issues concerning domestic and other forms of violence against women.119 118 U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice, “Setting the T een Dating Violence Research Agenda,” http://www.nij.gov/topics/crime/intimate-partner-violence/teen-dating-violence/research-agenda.htm. 119 Office of the President, “1 is 2 Many,” https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/1is2manyy; and T he White House, 1 is 2 Many: Twenty Years Fighting Violence Against Wom en and Girls, September 2014. Congressional Research Service 31 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding Appendix A. Definitions Table A-1. Definitions of Domestic Violence and Related Terms in Federal Statute Term Definition Domestic Violence: The Family Violence Felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence concerning domestic and other forms of violence against women.⁹⁶

Appendix A. Definitions

Appendix B. Prevalence and Effects of Domestic Violence

Appendix C. a knife. Congressional Research Service 34 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding Appendix C. State and Territory Funding for Selected FVPSA Services