Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding

Changes from January 12, 2021 to July 27, 2022

This page shows textual changes in the document between the two versions indicated in the dates above. Textual matter removed in the later version is indicated with ~~red strikethrough~~ and textual matter added in the later version is indicated with blue.

Family Violence Prevention and Services Act
~~January 12, 2021~~July 27, 2022
(FVPSA): Background and Funding
~~Adrienne L. Fernandes-~~
Kara Clifford Billings Family violence broadly refers to acts of physical and sexual violence perpetrated by Family violence broadly refers to acts of physical and sexual violence perpetrated by
~~Alcantara~~
~~individuals~~ individuals Analyst in Social Policy against family members. The federal government has responded to various against family members. The federal government has responded to various
~~Specialist in Social Policy~~
forms of family forms of family violence, including violence involving spouses and other intimate violence, including violence involving spouses and other intimate

partners, children, and the elderly. The focus of this report is on the federal response to partners, children, and the elderly. The focus of this report is on the federal response to
~~Kara Clifford Billings~~
domestic violence under the Family domestic violence under the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA). Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA).
~~Analyst in Social Policy~~
Domestic violence is used in the report to describe violence among intimate partners, is used in the report to describe violence among intimate partners,

including those involved in dating relationships. including those involved in dating relationships. ~~General y~~Generally speaking, victims tend to be speaking, victims tend to be
women, although a sizable share of men are also victimized. A 2015 survey conducted 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 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 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 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 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 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. concerned for their safety, missing work or school, needing medical care, or needing help from law enforcement.
Throughout much of the 20th century, domestic violence remained a hidden problem. Victims, or survivors, of this Throughout much of the 20th 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. abuse often endured physical and emotional abuse in silence out of fear of retaliation by their spouses or partners.
In the 1970s, women with personal experiences of abuse, civic organizations, and professionals began to open In the 1970s, women 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 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 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 of domestic violence and explore possible responses. FVPSA was enacted in 1984 (Title III of P.L. 98-457), and
has been reauthorized seven timeshas been reauthorized seven times, —most recently by the CAPTA Reauthorization Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-320). most recently by the CAPTA Reauthorization Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-320).
FVPSA authorizes three primary sets of activities, FVPSA authorizes three primary sets of activities, al all of which are administered by the U.S. Department of Health of which are administered by the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services (HHS). These activities are authorized through FY2015, per and Human Services (HHS). These activities are authorized through FY2015, per ~~P.L. 113-320, and funds have~~
~~continual y been appropriated in each subsequent year. Enacted 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 domestic 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 Al iances (DELTA). The~~
~~program supports efforts in selected communities to prevent domestic violence. Third, FVPSA supports direct~~
the 2010 reauthorization, and funds (which are discretionary) have continually been appropriated in each subsequent year. Funding for FVPSA was approximately $220 million in FY2022. This was lower than the FY2021 amount (approximately $400 million), which reflected appropriations under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA; P.L. 117-2). P.L. 117-2 also provided $250 million for two new grant programs that are being administered under FVPSA to respond to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on sexual assault and domestic violence survivors. The bulk of FVPSA funding supports shelter and direct services for victims and their families, including victims in underserved communities and children exposed to services for victims and their families, including victims in underserved communities and children exposed to
domestic violence. Most of this funding is awarded via grants to states, territories, and tribes, which then 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 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 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 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 service providers, and national resource centers that provide training and technical assistance on various domestic
violence issues for violence issues for a variety of stakeholders. The second major FVPSA activity is a national domestic violence hotline that receives calls for assistance related to domestic violence. The hotline 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. Third, FVPSA funds prevention efforts through a program known as Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancement and Leadership Through Alliances (DELTA). The program supports efforts in selected communities to prevent domestic violence.~~a variety of stakeholders.~~
FVPSA was the first federal law to address domestic violence. Since the law was enacted, it has FVPSA was the first federal law to address domestic violence. Since the law was enacted, it has ~~continued to have~~
retained a primary focus on providing shelter and services for survivors and has increasingly provided support to children 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 exposed to domestic violence and teen dating violence. With the enactment of the Violence Against Women Act of
1994 (VAWA,1994 (VAWA, P.L. 103-322), the federal response to domestic violence has expanded to include investigating and 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 prosecuting crimes and providing additional services to victims and abusers. VAWA activities are administered by
multiple federal agencies. multiple federal agencies.
Congressional Research Service 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 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 to include acts of physical and nonphysical violence against spouses and other intimate
partners—through the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA).1 FVPSA programs partners—through the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA).1 FVPSA programs
are carried out by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS’s) Administration are carried out by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS’s) Administration
for Children and Familiesfor Children and Families (ACF) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (ACF) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
ACF administers most FVPSA programming, including grants to states, ACF administers most FVPSA programming, including grants to states,2 territories, and Indian territories, and Indian
tribes to support local organizations that provide immediate shelter and related assistance for 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 victims of domestic violence and their children. ACF also provides funding for a privately
operated national domestic violence hotline that responds to operated national domestic violence hotline that responds to ~~cal s~~calls, texts, and web-based chats , texts, and web-based chats
from individuals seeking assistance. The funding for ACF also supports state domestic violence 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 coalitions that provide training for and advocacy on behalf of domestic violence providers within
each state, as each state, as ~~wel~~ well as multiple resource centers that provide training and technical assistance on 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 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 domestic violence through a program known as Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancement and
Leadership Through Leadership Through ~~Al iances~~Alliances (DELTA). The House Committee on Education and Labor and the (DELTA). The House Committee on Education and Labor and the
Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension (HELP) Committee have exercised jurisdiction over 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. 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 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 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, 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 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 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. children and youth exposed to domestic violence, including teen dating violence.
~~Final y~~Finally, the report provides an overview of FVPSA’s interaction with other federal laws, , 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 including the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) and the Violence Against
Women Act of 1994 (VAWA,Women Act of 1994 (VAWA, P.L. 103-322). FVPSA was the first federal law to address domestic P.L. 103-322). FVPSA was the first federal law to address domestic
violence, with a focus on providing shelter and services for survivors. Since the enactment of violence, with a focus on providing shelter and services for survivors. Since the enactment of
VAWAVAWA in 1994, the federal response to domestic violence has expanded to involve multiple in 1994, the federal response to domestic violence has expanded to involve multiple
departments and activities that include investigating and prosecuting crimes and providing departments and activities that include investigating and prosecuting crimes and providing
additional services to victims and abusers. FVPSA also includes provisions that encourage or additional services to victims and abusers. FVPSA also includes provisions that encourage or
require program administrators to coordinate FVPSA programs with related programs and require program administrators to coordinate FVPSA programs with related programs and
research carried out by other federal agencies. The appendices provide further detail about 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.FVPSA-related definitions and funding and statistics related to domestic violence victimization.2

~~1 T he law is codified at 42 U.S.C. §10401 et seq. T he~~3 1 The law is codified at 42 U.S.C. §10401 et seq. The regulations for the program are at 45 C.F.R. regulations for the program are at 45 C.F.R. ~~137 0~~Part 1370. A final rule . A final rule
from 2016 amended the regulations. Seefrom 2016 amended the regulations. See U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesU.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS),(HHS), Administration for Administration for
Children and FamiliesChildren and Families (ACF), “Family Violence Prevention and Services,” 81 (ACF), “Family Violence Prevention and Services,” 81 Federal Register 212, October 14, 2015. 212, October 14, 2015.
2 For the purposes of this report, the term states includes the District of Columbia. 3 For~~2 For~~ other CRS other CRS products about domestic violence, see CRSproducts about domestic violence, see CRS Report R45410, Report R45410, The Violence Against Women Act
(VAWA): Historical Overview, Funding, and Reauthorization , and CRS, and CRS In FocusIn Focus IF11592, IF11592, Federal Support for
Providing Housing to Individuals Experiencing ~~Dom estic~~Domestic Violence. .
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Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding

Federal Support for Domestic Violence in the Context of COVID-19
Empirical Empirical research and anecdotal information fromresearch and anecdotal information from organizations that serveorganizations that serve domestic violencedomestic violence ~~victims~~ victims indicate that indicate that
disastersdisasters and emergenciesand emergencies can heighten the frequency and severitycan heighten the frequency and severity of abuse.of abuse.34 In the In the ~~current~~ context of the context of the
Coronavirus Coronavirus ~~Disease~~ Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, some2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, some abusers may exert further power and control over their abusers may exert further power and control over their
partners because of the stress caused by economicpartners because of the stress caused by economic and other uncertainties surrounding the pandemic.and other uncertainties surrounding the pandemic.45 Victims Victims
may be less may be less ~~likely~~ likely to use crisisto use crisis hotlines with their abusers close by, and may face repercussionshotlines with their abusers close by, and may face repercussions if they reach out if they reach out
for help.for help.56
FederalFederal ~~lawmakers~~ lawmakers addressed domesticaddressed domestic violence in violence in multiple COVID-19 response COVID-19 response ~~legislation enacted~~laws. Enacted in March 2020 in March 2020~~. The~~, the
Coronavirus Aid, Relief,Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act; P.L.and Economic Security Act (CARES Act; P.L. 116-136) provided additional FY2020 116-136) provided additional FY2020
funding of $2 mil ionfunding of $2 mil ion for the national domestic violencefor the national domestic violence ~~hotline, including hotline services provided remotely,~~ hotline and and
$45 mil ion$45 mil ion for FVPSA formula grants—both available through September 30, 2021. The for FVPSA formula grants—both available through September 30, 2021. The law specified that FVPSA subgrantees are not required to provide a match as they usually would be with regular appropriations. Also enacted in March 2020, the Coronavirus Coronavirus
Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020 (P.L. 116-123) Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020 (P.L. 116-123) ~~also provided~~provided general funding to the funding to the
CDCCDC, to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19—available through September 30, 2022—and the agency used $1.6 mil ionand the agency used $1.6 mil ion of such funds for Domesticof such funds for Domestic ~~Violence~~ Violence Prevention Enhancement and Prevention Enhancement and
Leadership Through 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~~ Alliances (DELTA) grants.7 Subsequently, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA; P.L. 117-2), enacted in March 2021, provided additional funding for FVPSA activities in FY2021—$198 mil ion for shelter, services, and support and $2 mil ion for the hotline. It also authorized and provided funding for two new grant programs to support survivors of sexual assault ($198 mil ion) and “culturally specific populations” ($49.5 mil ion), and $2.5 mil ion for HHS’s administrative costs associated with the new grants. In October 2021, ACF issued guidance implementing the grants. Funding to support survivors of sexual assault was allocated to states, territories, and tribes on a noncompetitive basis using the FVPSA funding allocation formula (funding available through September 30, 2025), to be used to help rape crisis centers and other sexual assault program operators transition to virtual services and meet the emergency needs of survivors.8 Funding for culturally specific populations (available through September 30, 2025) was awarded competitively to multiple resource centers9 to oversee and make subawards to community-based organizations providing culturally relevant and linguistically appropriate services to victims from racial and ethnic minority groups and underserved populations.10 In addition to distributing additional funding during the COVID-19 pandemic, the COVID-19 pandemic,
ACF issued guidance that ACF issued guidance that ~~advises~~ advised how FVPSA funds can be expended, including for staff, food, toiletries,how FVPSA funds can be expended, including for staff, food, toiletries, and and
supplies at shelters,supplies at shelters, among other items.among other items.~~7 Funds~~11 Per an existing requirement, funds may not be given directly may not be given directly to victims.to victims. 12 ACF has also issued other ACF has also issued other
guidance that provides flexibilitiesguidance that provides flexibilities for applicants and grantees in programs conducting human servicefor applicants and grantees in programs conducting human service activities activities
related to COVID-19.related to COVID-19.13 Separately, FVPSA-funded training and technical assistance centers are sharing resources Separately, FVPSA-funded training and technical assistance centers are sharing resources ~~for~~
~~serving DV victims~~ for serving victims during the pandemic.during the pandemic.
Background
Definitions
The FVPSA statute focuses on The FVPSA statute focuses on family violence, , domestic violence, and , and dating violence. Family . Family
violence can involve many types of family relationships and forms of violence. FVPSA defines 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 legal y related by~~
~~blood or marriage and/or live in the same household.8 This definition focuses on physical forms~~
~~of violence and is limited to abusers and victims9 who live together or are related by blood or~~
~~marriage; however, researchers and others general y agree that family violence is broad enough to~~
~~include nonphysical violence and physical violence that occurs outside of an intimate~~

~~3 Julie~~ 4 Julie A. Schumacher et alA. Schumacher et al., “Intimate partner violence and Hurricane Katrina: Predictors and Associated Mental Health , “Intimate partner violence and Hurricane Katrina: Predictors and Associated Mental Health
Outcomes,” Outcomes,” Violence and ~~Victim s~~Victims, vol. 25, no. 5 (2010), pp. 588-603; Alisha Haridasani Guptavol. 25, no. 5 (2010), pp. 588-603; Alisha Haridasani Gupta and Aviva Stahl, and Aviva Stahl, ~~“ For~~
~~Abused~~ “For Abused Women, a Pandemic Lockdown HoldsWomen, a Pandemic Lockdown Holds Dangers of Its Own,” Dangers of Its Own,” New York Times March 24, 2020; National March 24, 2020; National
Domestic Violence Hotline, “Staying SafeDomestic Violence Hotline, “Staying Safe During COVID-19,”During COVID-19,” March 13, 2020, https://www.thehotline.org/2020/03/March 13, 2020, https://www.thehotline.org/2020/03/
13/staying-safe-during-covid-19. 13/staying-safe-during-covid-19.
45 National Center on Domestic and Sexual National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence, “Power and Control Wheel,” http://www.ncdsv.org/images/Violence, “Power and Control Wheel,” http://www.ncdsv.org/images/
PowerControlwheelNOSHADING.pdf. PowerControlwheelNOSHADING.pdf.
5 6 MJ Lee, “Visits MJ Lee, “Visits to New York City’s domestic violence websiteto New York City’s domestic violence website ~~surged~~ surged amid coronavirus pandemic,” amid coronavirus pandemic,” CNN.com, April , April
7, 2020, https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/07/us/nyc-domestic-violence-website-surging/index.html. 7, 2020, https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/07/us/nyc-domestic-violence-website-surging/index.html.
67 Based Based on correspondence with HHS,on correspondence with HHS, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), September 2020. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), September 2020.
78 HHS, HHS, ACF, Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB), “2021 FVPSA American Rescue Plan $198 million Grants to Support Survivors of Sexual Assault Funding Program Instruction Guidance Memo,” October 29, 2021, Congressional Research Service 2 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding 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 legally related by blood or marriage and/or live in the same household.14 This definition focuses on physical forms of violence and is limited to abusers and victims15 who live together or are related by blood or marriage; however, researchers and others generally agree that family violence is broad enough to include nonphysical violence and physical violence that occurs outside of an intimate relationship.16 This broader~~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.~~
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~~relationship.10 Such a~~ definition can encompass a range of scenarios—rape and other forms of 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 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 live in the same household; stalking by a current or former spouse or partner; abuse and neglect
of elderly family members and children; and of elderly family members and children; and ~~psychological y~~psychologically tormenting and controlling a tormenting and controlling a
spouse, intimate partner, or other member of the household. spouse, intimate partner, or other member of the household.
While family violence can encompass child abuse and elder abuse, FVPSA programs focus on While family violence can encompass child abuse and elder abuse, FVPSA programs focus on
individualsindividuals abused by their spouses and other intimate partners. FVPSA references the terms abused by their spouses and other intimate partners. FVPSA references the terms
“domestic violencedomestic violence” and and “dating violencedating violence” as they are defined under VAWA, and discusses these as they are defined under VAWA, and discusses these
terms alongside family violence. (The FVPSA regulations also define these terms as terms alongside family violence. (The FVPSA regulations also define these terms as ~~general y~~generally
consistent with VAWA, but recognize that the term “dating violence” encompasses additional consistent with VAWA, but recognize that the term “dating violence” encompasses additional
acts.)acts.)1117 The VAWA definition of The VAWA definition of “domestic violencedomestic violence” encompasses forms of intimate partner encompasses forms of intimate partner
violence—involving current and former spouses or individuals who are similarly situated to a 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 spouse, cohabiting individuals, and parents of children in common—that are outlawed under state
or local laws. VAWAor local laws. VAWA defines “dating violence” as violence committed by a person who has been https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/grant-funding/2021-fvpsa-american-rescue-plan-198-million-grants-support-survivors-sexual-0. 9 The Asian Pacific Institute on Gender Based Violence, Esperanza United/Casa de Esperanza, Ujima, Inc.: The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community, the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center, and the Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center. 10 HHS, ACF, FYSB, “2021 FVPSA $49.5 Million American Rescue Plan Support for Survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault from Culturally Specific Populations Grants Program Instruction Guidance Memo,” October 29, 2021, https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/grant-funding/2021-fvpsa-american-rescue-plan-culturally-specific-program-instruction-guidance. 11 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 Supplemental Funding Guidance for FVPSA Formula Grantees: Abbreviated Application Process Memo, Allowable Use of Funds, and Reporting Instructions, https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/resource/fvpsa-cares-act-supplemental-award-information-formula-grantees. 12 42 U.S.C. §10408(d)(1). 13 HHS, ACF, “ACF Grant Recipient COVID-19 Guidance,” https://www.acf.hhs.gov/archive/grants-funding/acf-grant-recipient-covid-19. 14 42 U.S.C. §10402(4) (Definitions). 15 This term is sometimes used interchangeably with the word survivors. 16 Roger J.R. Levesque, ~~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.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~~
~~Abuse. 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.13 The Social Services Block Grant, as amended, also~~
~~includes elder justice provisions, including several grant programs and other activities to promote~~
~~the safety and wel -being of older Americans.14~~

~~10 Roger J.R. Levesque,~~ Culture and Violence: Fostering Change Through Human Rights Law (Washington, DC: (Washington, DC:
American Psychological Association, 2001), p. 13. American Psychological Association, 2001), p. 13.
~~11 T he~~ 17 The 2016 final rule that amended the regulations for FVPSA 2016 final rule that amended the regulations for FVPSA notes with regard to “family violence” and “domestic notes with regard to “family violence” and “domestic
violence,” “the [social service] field and Congressviolence,” “the [social service] field and Congress have usedhave used the term the term ~~int erchangeably~~interchangeably for decades.” for decades.” ~~T he~~The final rule also final rule also
notes that HHS sought to broaden the definition of “domestic violence,” notes that HHS sought to broaden the definition of “domestic violence,” ~~starting~~stating that “ that “~~Given~~given the continuum of the continuum of
behaviors constituting ‘domestic violence’ identified in FVPSA,behaviors constituting ‘domestic violence’ identified in FVPSA, ~~and~~ and the broader protections embodied in State and the broader protections embodied in State and
other jurisdictional law,other jurisdictional law, [HHS/]ACF[HHS/]ACF ~~will~~ will interpret ‘domestic violence’ as inclusive of additional acts recognized in interpret ‘domestic violence’ as inclusive of additional acts recognized in
other Federal, State, local, and tribal laws,other Federal, State, local, and tribal laws, as wellas well as acts in other Federal regulatory and sub-regulatory guidance.” as acts in other Federal regulatory and sub-regulatory guidance.”
Note that this definition is not intended to be interpreted “Note that this definition is not intended to be interpreted “ more restrictively than FVPSA and VAWAmore restrictively than FVPSA and VAWA but rather to be but rather to be
inclusive of other, more expansive definitions.” HHS, Family Violence Prevention and Services,” 81 inclusive of other, more expansive definitions.” HHS, Family Violence Prevention and Services,” 81 Federal Register
212, 212, November 2, 2016. Congressional Research Service 3 link to page 35 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding 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.18 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 Abuse. 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.19 The Social Services Block Grant, as amended, also includes elder justice provisions, including several grant programs and other activities to promote the safety and well-being of older Americans.20 ~~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.~~
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Risk Factors for Domestic Violence
The evidence base on domestic violence does not point strongly to any one reason that it is 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 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. women, gender norms, and socioeconomic status, among others) that can influence this violence.
~~Stil~~ Still, the research literature has identified two underlying influences: the unequal position of , the research literature has identified two underlying influences: the unequal position of
women and the normalization of violence, both in society and some relationships.women and the normalization of violence, both in society and some relationships.1521 Certain risk Certain risk
variables are often associated with—but not necessarily the causes—of domestic violence. Such 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 factors include a pattern of problem drinking, poverty and economic conditions, and early
parenthood.parenthood.1622 For example, substance abuse often precedes incidents of domestic violence. A U.S. 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, 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 attempted homicide, or the most severe violent incidents of abuse perpetrated against an intimate
partner. Among men who partner. Among men who ~~kil ed~~killed or attempted to or attempted to ~~kil~~ kill their intimate partners, over 80% were their intimate partners, over 80% were
problem drinkers in the year preceding the incident.problem drinkers in the year preceding the incident.1723 18 For further information, see CRS Report R43458, Child Welfare: An Overview of Federal Programs and Their Current Funding. 19 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”). 20 For further information, see CRS Report 94-953, Social Services Block Grant: Background and Funding. 21 Rachel Jewkes, “Intimate Partner Violence: Causes and Prevention,” The Lancet, vol. 359 (April 20, 2002), pp. 1423-1429. 22 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. 23 Phyllis Sharps et al., “Risky Mix: Drinking, Drug Use, and Homicide,” NIJ Journal, no. 250 (November 2003). The 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. Congressional Research Service 4 link to page 36 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding
Profiles of Survivors
Estimating the number of individuals involved in domestic violence is complicated by the varying 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 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; a boyfriend or girlfriend as a family relationship while other research does not; ~~stil~~ other surveys other surveys
~~are limited~~ are limited to specific types of violence and whether violence is reported to police. Certain studies 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 focus more broadly on various types of violence or more narrowly on violence committed among
intimate partners. In addition, domestic violence is intimate partners. In addition, domestic violence is ~~general y~~generally believed to be underreported. believed to be underreported.
Survivors may be reluctant to disclose their victimization because of shame, embarrassment, fear, Survivors may be reluctant to disclose their victimization because of shame, embarrassment, fear,
or belief that they may not receive support from law enforcement.or belief that they may not receive support from law enforcement.18
~~Overal~~ 24 Overall, two studies—the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence, two studies—the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) and the Survey (NISVS) and the
National Crime VictimizationNational Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS)—show that violence involving intimate partners is Survey (NCVS)—show that violence involving intimate partners is
not uncommon, and that both women and men are victimized not uncommon, and that both women and men are victimized ~~sexual y, physical y, and~~
~~psychological y.19~~sexually, physically, and psychologically.25 Women tend to first be victimized at a younger age than men. Further, Native Women tend to first be victimized at a younger age than men. Further, Native
American and Black women and men tend to be victimized at higher rates than their White, American and Black women and men tend to be victimized at higher rates than their 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”).
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~~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~~
~~annual y in each of 2010-2012 and in 2015.20 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 in Table B-1. General y, the 2015 survey found that women and men were~~
~~victimized at similar rates over their lifetime.21 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~~ Hispanic, and Asian counterparts. 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 in each of 2010-2012 and in 2015.26 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 in Table B-1. Generally, the 2015 survey found that women and men were victimized at similar rates over their lifetime.27 Over one-third of women (36%) and men (34%) 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 24 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 Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010-2012 State Report.) 25 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 Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey: 2015 Data Brief - Updated Release”). See also, Jennifer L. Truman and Rachel E. Morgan, Criminal Victimization, 2016, Table 2, DOJ, OJP, BJS, December 2017 (hereinafter, “Jennifer L. Truman and Rachel E. Morgan, Criminal Victimization, 2016”). 26 Sharon G. Smith et al., The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010-2012 State Report. The NISVS is a national random telephone survey of the noninstitutionalized English and/or Spanish-speaking U.S. population age 18 and older. The 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). Terms 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. 27 In addition, about 5% of women and men had experienced these acts within the past year. Sharon G. Smith et al., The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey: 2015 Data Brief - Updated Release. Congressional Research Service 5 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding (25% vs 11%). Such impacts included having injuries, being fearful, (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 being concerned for their safety, missing work or school, needing medical care, or needing help
from law enforcement. from law enforcement.
Women and men of color, particularly individuals who are multiracial, tended to experience 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 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, multiracial (57%) were most likely to report contact sexual violence, ~~physic al~~physical violence, and/or violence, and/or
stalking by an intimate partner, followed by American Indian or Alaska Native women (48%), stalking by an intimate partner, followed by American Indian or Alaska Native women (48%),
Black women (45%), White women (37%), Hispanic women of any race (34%), and Asian or Black women (45%), White women (37%), Hispanic women of any race (34%), and Asian or
Pacific Islander women (18%).Pacific Islander women (18%).2228 Among men, those who were Black (40%) and multiracial Among men, those who were Black (40%) and multiracial
(39%) were more likely to experience intimate partner violence than White (32%) and Hispanic (39%) were more likely to experience intimate partner violence than White (32%) and Hispanic
(29%) men; estimates were not reported for American Indian or Alaska Native or Asian or Pacific (29%) men; estimates were not reported for American Indian or Alaska Native or Asian or Pacific
Islander males because the data were unreliable. Islander males because the data were unreliable.
Special Populations
The 2010 NISVS examined the prevalence of this violence based on how adult respondents 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 identified their sexual orientation (heterosexual or straight, gay or lesbian, or bisexual). The study
found that found that ~~overal~~ overall, bisexual women had significantly higher lifetime prevalence of sexual , bisexual women had significantly higher lifetime prevalence of sexual
violence, physical violence, and stalking by an intimate partner when compared to both lesbian violence, physical violence, and stalking by an intimate partner when compared to both lesbian
~~and heterosexual women.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~~
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~~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.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.25 NCVS surveys a national y~~and heterosexual women.29 The NISVS did not examine outcomes by gender identity. However, a 2015 survey by the National Center for Transgender Equality, a private-sector advocacy organization, found that 42% of respondents (who identified as transgender) reported experiencing some form of physical violence by an intimate partner over their lifetime.30 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.31 28 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. 29 Mikel L. Walters, Jieru Chen, and Matthew J. Breiding, The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010 Findings on Victimization 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 perpetrator) were too small to produce reliable estimates and were not reported. 30 S. E. James, J. L. Herman, S. Rankin, M. Keisling, L. Mottet, and M. Anafi, The Report of the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey. Washington, DC: National Center for Transgender Equality, 2016, pp. 206-209. 31 Michele C. Black and Melissa T. Merrick, Prevalence of Intimate Partner Violence, Sexual Violence, and Stalking among Active Duty Women and Wives of Active Duty Men—Comparisons with Women in the General Population, 2010, Technical Report, HHS, CDC, March 2013. Congressional Research Service 6 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding 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.32 NCVS surveys a nationally representative representative
sample of households. It is the primary source of information on the characteristics of criminal 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 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 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; of a violent crime, including rape/sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault;
and for victims, the relationship to the perpetrator.and for victims, the relationship to the perpetrator.2633 The survey reports the share of crimes that The survey reports the share of crimes that
are committed by an intimate partner (current or former spouses, boyfriends, or girlfriends), other 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 family members, friends/acquaintances, or strangers. The survey found that nearly 600,000
~~individuals~~ individuals were victims of intimate partner violence inwere victims of intimate partner violence in 2016.2016.2734 An earlier NCVS study examined An earlier NCVS study examined
changes in the rate of intimate partner violence over time. The study found that the number of 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 female victims of domestic violence declined from 1.8 ~~mil ion~~million in 1994 to about 621,000 in 2011. in 1994 to about 621,000 in 2011.
Over this period, the rate of serious intimate partner violence—rape or sexual assault, robbery, 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 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 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.with a weapon over the period from 2002 through 2011.2835
Effects of Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is associated with multiple negative outcomes for victims, including mental 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 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 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~~experienced sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their 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.36 Domestic Violence: Development of the Issue Early marriage laws in the United States permitted men to hit their wives, and throughout much of the 20th century family violence remained a hidden problem.37 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, 32 Jennifer L. Truman and Rachel E. Morgan, Criminal Victimization, 2016. 33 These terms are defined at DOJ, OJP, Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), “All Terms and Definitions,” https://www.bjs.gov/index.cfm?ty=tda. 34 Jennifer L. Truman and Rachel E. Morgan, Criminal Victimization, 2016, Table 2. 35 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 Trends in U.S. Homicide,” 1976-2015, Violence and Gender, vol. 4, no, 2, 2017. The study study
found that nearly half of all female homicide victims are killed by an intimate partner, compared to 5% of male homicide 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.victims. Intimate partner homicides decreased over the period from 1976 to 2015.
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~~Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding~~

~~experienced sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their~~
~~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.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 20th century family violence remained a hidden problem.30 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,~~
36 Sharon G. Smith et al., The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2015 Data Brief - Updated Release. 37 Ola W. Barnett, Cindy L. Miller-Perrin, and Robin D. Perrin, Family Violence Across the Life Span, 3rd ed. (Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 2011), pp. 14-15 (hereinafter, “Ola W. Barnett, Cindy L. Miller-Perrin, and Robin D. Perrin, Family Violence Across the Life Span”). Congressional Research Service 7 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding children, and neighborhoods behind. Women were worried that they would be perceived as children, and neighborhoods behind. Women were worried that they would be perceived as
deviant or deviant or ~~mental y~~mentally unstable or would be unable to get by unstable or would be unable to get by ~~financial y~~financially. In addition, victims were . In addition, victims were
often blamed for their abuse, based on stereotypical notions of women (e.g., demanding, often blamed for their abuse, based on stereotypical notions of women (e.g., demanding,
aggressive, and frigid, among other characteristics).aggressive, and frigid, among other characteristics).31
38 In the 1960s, shelters and services for victims of domestic violence became available on a limited In the 1960s, shelters and services for victims of domestic violence became available on a limited
basis; however, these services were not always targeted basis; however, these services were not always targeted ~~specifical y~~specifically to victims per se. Social to victims per se. Social
service and religious organizations provided temporary housing for displaced persons service and religious organizations provided temporary housing for displaced persons ~~general y~~generally, ,
which could include homeless and abused women. In addition, a which could include homeless and abused women. In addition, a ~~smal~~ small number of organizations number of organizations
provided services to abused women who were married to alcoholic men. Beginning in the 1970s, 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 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 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 and within the United States. In England, the first battered women’s shelter, Chiswick Women’s
Aid, galvanized support to establish similar types of services. In addition, the feminist movement 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.in the United States increasingly brought greater national attention to the issue.32
39 As part of the battered women’s movement, former battered women, civic organizations, and 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 professionals opened shelters and began to provide services to victims, primarily abused women
and their children.and their children.3340 Shelters were most often located in old homes, at Young Women’s Christian 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 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 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 to combine resources for public education on the issue, support groups for victims, and services
that were lacking. For example, the YWCAthat were lacking. For example, the YWCA and Women in Crisis Can Act formed a hotline for and Women in Crisis Can Act formed a hotline for
abused women in Chicago. These and other groups convened the Chicago Abused Women’s abused women in Chicago. These and other groups convened the Chicago Abused Women’s
CoalitionCoalition to address concerns about services for battered women. The coalition spoke to hundreds 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 of community groups and professional agencies about battered women’s stories, explained the
significance of violence, detailed how violence becomes sanctioned, significance of violence, detailed how violence becomes sanctioned, ~~dispel ed~~dispelled common myths, and challenged ~~common myths,~~

~~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 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 women. The coalition mobilized around passage of a state law to protect women and require
police training on domestic violence, among other accomplishments.police training on domestic violence, among other accomplishments.3441
Based on a survey in the late 1970s, 111 shelters were believed to be operating across Based on a survey in the late 1970s, 111 shelters were believed to be operating across al all states states
and in urban, suburban, and rural communities. These shelters and in urban, suburban, and rural communities. These shelters ~~general y~~generally reported that they reported that they
provided a safe and secure environment for abused women and their children, emotional support 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 and counseling for abused women, and information on legal rights and assistance ~~w ith~~with housing, housing,
among other supports. Approximately 90 of these shelters fielded over 110,000 among other supports. Approximately 90 of these shelters fielded over 110,000 ~~cal s~~calls for for
assistance in a given year.assistance in a given year.35
42 Around this same time, the public became increasingly aware of domestic violence. In 1983, Around this same time, the public became increasingly aware of domestic violence. In 1983, Time
magazine published an article, “Wife Beating:magazine published an article, “Wife Beating: The Silent Crime,” as part of a series of articles on 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 beatingviolence in the United States. The article stated: “There is nothing new about wife beating….
.... 38 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, Women and Male Violence: The Visions and Struggles of the Battered Women’s Movement”). 39 Ola W. Barnett, Cindy L. Miller-Perrin, and Robin D. Perrin, Family Violence Across the Life Span, p. 15. 40 Susan Schechter, Women and Male Violence: The Visions and Struggles of the Battered Women’s Movement. 41 Ibid. 42 Albert B. Roberts, Sheltering Battered Women: A National Study and Service Guide (New York: Springer Publishing Company, 1981), pp. 7-11. Congressional Research Service 8 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding What is new is that in the U.S. wife beating is no longer widely accepted as an inevitableWhat is new is that in the U.S. wife beating is no longer widely accepted as an inevitable and and
private matter. The change in attitude, while far from complete, has come about in the past 10 to 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 15 years as part of the profound transformation of ideas about the roles and rights of women in
society.”society.”3643 In 1984, then-U.S. Attorney General Benjamin Civiletti In 1984, then-U.S. Attorney General Benjamin Civiletti established the Department of established the Department of
Justice Task Force on Family Violence, which issued a report examining the scope and impact 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 domestic violence in America. The report also provided recommendations to improve the nation’s
law enforcement, criminal justice, and community response to offenses that were previously law enforcement, criminal justice, and community response to offenses that were previously
considered “family matters.”considered “family matters.”37
44 Congressional Response
Largely as a result of efforts by advocates and the Justice Department, Congress began to take an 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 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 familyFamilies conducted a series of hearings in 1983 and 1984 on child abuse and family violence violence
throughout the country, to understand the scope of family violence better and explore possible 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 federal responses to the problem. The committee heard from victims, domestic violence service
providers, researchers, law enforcement officials, and other stakeholders about the possible 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 number of victims and the need for additional victim services. In 1984, the Family ~~Violenc e~~Violence
Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) was enacted as Title III of the Child Abuse Amendments of 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 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 (CAPTA), and most of the seven subsequent reauthorizations of FVPSA have occurred as part of
legislationlegislation that reauthorized CAPTA.that reauthorized CAPTA.3845 This includes the most recent reauthorization (P.L. 111- This includes the most recent reauthorization (P.L. 111-
320), which extended funding authority for FVPSA through FY2015. As discussed later in this 320), 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 report, Congress subsequently broadened the federal response to domestic violence with the
~~enactment of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994.~~

~~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~~

enactment of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994. FVPSA Overview
~~As original y~~ As originally enacted, FVPSA included both a social service and law enforcement response to 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 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 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 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 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 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 transferred from HHS to DOJ, which carried out the grants under the Office for Victims of Crime
(OVC). DOJ used the funding for 23 projects to train law enforcement officers on domestic (OVC). DOJ used the funding for 23 projects to train law enforcement officers on domestic
violence policies and response procedures, with approximately 16,000 law enforcement officers 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 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 officers as participants working with other agencies, victims, and community groups in a
coordinated response to domestic violence.coordinated response to domestic violence.39
~~Over time, FVPSA was expanded to include support of other activities, including state domestic~~
46 43 Jane O'Reilly, Barbara B. Dolan, and Elizabeth Taylor, “Wife Beating: The Silent Crime,” Time, September 5, 1983. 44 DOJ, OJP, Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), The History of the Violence Against Women Act, http://www.ncdsv.org/images/OVW_HistoryVAWA.pdf. 45 CAPTA 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 services. 46 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 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, Urban Institute, June 26, 1995. Congressional Research Service 9 link to page 14 link to page 16 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding 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 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 funding for FVPSA law enforcement training grants was discontinued in 1992, just before the
Violence Against Women Act of 1994 authorized similar activities. Violence Against Women Act of 1994 authorized similar activities. ~~Specifical y~~Specifically, VAWA , VAWA
authorizes training and support of law enforcement officials under the Services, Training, authorizes training and support of law enforcement officials under the Services, Training,
Officers, and Prosecutors (STOP) Grant program. Officers, and Prosecutors (STOP) Grant program.
FVPSA currently authorizes three major FVPSA currently authorizes three major sets of activities: domestic violence activities: domestic violence ~~prevention activities under~~
~~a program known as DELTA~~shelters, services, and program support; the national domestic violence hotline; and domestic violence ; the national domestic violence hotline; and domestic violence
~~shelters, services, and program support~~prevention activities under the program known as DELTA. The CDC administers the DELTA program. The Family . The CDC administers the DELTA program. The Family
and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) in HHS/ACF administers funding for the hotline and and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) in HHS/ACF administers funding for the hotline and ~~the~~
~~domestic violence~~ shelters, victim services, and program support.shelters, victim services, and program support.
~~The~~ Figure 1 displays the three primary activities funded under FVPSA three primary activities funded under FVPSA ~~are shown in Figure 1.~~ ~~Funding~~along with the funding allocation formula for shelters, for shelters,
victim services, and program support 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.~~ (described further in the “Shelter, Victim Services, and Program Support” section).47 Figure 1. Summary of FVPSA Activities and the Funding Allocation Formula for Shelter, Services, and Supports Source: Congressional Research Service (CRS). Funding FVPSA funding is discretionary, meaning that it is subject to the annual appropriations process. Authorization of funding under FVPSA has been extended multiple times, most recently through 47 42 U.S.C. §10403 (Authorization of appropriations). §10403 (Authorization of appropriations).
Congressional Research Service Congressional Research Service
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link to page link to page 1615 link to page 38 link to page 38

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~~
~~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). For each of FY2011-FY2015 by the CAPTA Reauthorization Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-320). For each of FY2011-
FY2015, the law authorized funding of $175 FY2015, the law authorized funding of $175 ~~mil ion~~ million for domestic violence shelters, victim for domestic violence shelters, victim
services, and program support; $3.5 services, and program support; $3.5 ~~mil ion~~million for the national domestic violence hotline; and $6 for the national domestic violence hotline; and $6
~~mil ion~~ million for DELTA. Congress may appropriate funding for programs with an expired for DELTA. Congress may appropriate funding for programs with an expired
authorization of appropriations, which has been the case for FVPSA activities in subsequent authorization of appropriations, which has been the case for FVPSA activities in subsequent
yearsyears~~. 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~~
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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~~
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~~Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding~~

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families
~~(ACF), FY1998-FY2021 Justification of Estimates for Appropriations Committees; and Congressional Research Service~~
~~correspondence with HHS, ACF and HHS, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), September and~~
~~November 2012, April 2016, August 2017, November 2018, and September 2020; HHS, ACF, ACF Op erating~~
~~Plans FY2013-FY2020; HHS, CDC, CDC Operating Plans FY2013-FY2020; U.S. Congress, House Committee on~~
~~Rules, 113th Cong., 2nd sess., Committee Print 113-32 to the Senate Amendment to~~. Congress appropriated $401 million for FVPSA in FY2021, the highest total to date, via regular appropriations (P.L. 116-260) and appropriations under P.L. 117-2 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.48 P.L. 117-2 also provided $250 million for two pandemic response grant programs administered under FVPSA (discussed previously). Enacted FY2022 appropriations (P.L. 117-103) are $221 million, of which $200 million is for shelter, victim services, and program support; $15.5 million is for the hotline; and $5.5 million is for DELTA.49 Figure 2 shows actual funding from FY2009 through FY2022 for the three FVPSA activities, which has generally increased over time but includes reductions in some years. Appendix Table C-1 provides exact amounts since FVPSA’s inception. Figure 2. FVPSA Funding by Activity, FY2009-FY2022 Source: HHS, ACF Justifications of Estimates for Appropriations Committees and CRS correspondence with HHS, ACF. 48 The committee report accompanying the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116-260) instructed HHS to use $182.5 million for shelter, services, and support; $13 million for the hotline; and $5.5 million for DELTA in FY2021 (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). The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA; P.L. 117-2) provided $198 million for shelter, services, and support; $2 million for the hotline; $198 million for new grants to support survivors of sexual assault; $49.5 million for new grants to support “culturally specific populations”; and $2.5 million for HHS’s administrative costs associated with the new grants. 49 HHS subsequently transferred $2 million out of the shelter, victim services, and program support account, leaving $198 million available for shelter, services, and support in FY2022; “Congressional Record, Explanatory Statement Submitted by Ms. DeLauro, Chair of the House Committee on Appropriations, Regarding the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 2471, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022,” Congressional Record, vol. 168, book 4 (March 9, 2022), p. H2876, https://www.congress.gov/117/crec/2022/03/09/168/42/CREC-2022-03-09-bk4.pdf. Congressional Research Service 11 link to page 38 link to page 16 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding Notes: Budget authority after sequestration and transfers. Years displayed are fiscal years. FY2021 includes $200 mil ion provided by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA; P.L. 117-2) for FVPSA shelter, services, and program support and the hotline. See Appendix Table C-1 for ful source notes. Shelter, Victim Services, and Program Support Funding for domestic violence shelters, victim services, and program support (hereinafter, “shelter and services”) encompasses multiple activities: formula grants to states and territories; grants to tribes; formula grants to state domestic violence coalitions; grants to national and special issue resource centers, including those that provide technical assistance; grants for specialized services for abused parents and their children exposed to domestic violence; and program support and administration. Figure 3 shows FY2022 allocations for activities included as part of shelter and services. Figure 3. Allocations for Activities Funded under Shelters, Victim Services, and Program Support, FY2022 Source: CRS correspondence with HHS, ACF, July 2022. Notes: Numbers may not sum due to rounding. Shelters, victim services, and program support received $200 mil ion from the Consolidated the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, Appropriations Act, ~~2014 (H.R. 3547), which was enacted as P.L. 113-76; Consolidated and Further Continuing~~
~~Appropriations Act, 2015 (P.L. 113-235); U.S. Congress, House Committee on Rules, 114th Cong., 1st sess., Rules~~
~~Committee Print 114-39 to accompany the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (H.R. 2029), which was~~
~~enacted as P.L. 114-113; U.S. Congress, House of Representatives, Congressional Record, vol. 163, part No. 76,~~
~~Book III (May 3, 2017), p. H3952 and p. H3994; U.S. Congress, House of Representatives,~~ ~~Congressional Record,~~
~~vol., 164, part No. 50, Book III (March 22, 2018), p. H2700 and p. H2745; and U.S. Congress, House of~~
~~Representatives, 115th Cong., 2nd sess., Conference Report to Accompany Department of Defense and Labor,~~
~~Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019 and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2019~~
~~(H.R. 6157), which was enacted as P.L. 115-245; and U.S. Congress, House of Representatives, 116th Cong., 2nd~~
~~sess., Committee Print to Accompany Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (H.R. 1865), which was~~
~~enacted as P.L. 116-94.~~
Notes: Funding is al ocated for Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancement and Leadership Through Al iances
~~(DELTA) via HHS/CDC; and shelters, victim services, and program support and the national domestic violence~~
~~hotline via HHS/ACF. N/A means not applicable.~~
~~a. Funding for FY2010 was just over $130 mil ion. When FY2010 dol ars were appropriated in December~~
~~2009, FVPSA required that “a portion of the excess” (of funds for shelters, victim services, and program~~
~~support) above $130 mil ion was to be reserved for projects to address the needs of children who witness~~
~~domestic violence. This rule was triggered in FY2010 and the excess funding went to a grant program,~~
~~Expanding Services for Children and Youth Exposed to Domestic Violence. FVPSA was reauthorized in~~
~~December 2010, and this provision was changed to require that when the appropriation exceeds $130~~
~~mil ion, HHS must first reserve 25% of the excess funding for specialized services for abused parents and~~
~~children exposed to domestic violence (42 U.S.C. §10403(a)(2)(A)(i)).~~
~~b. The final appropriations law for FY2013 was Consolidated and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013 ( P.L.~~
~~113-6). The FY2013 funding levels provided were based on the operating plan provided by HHS to~~
~~Congress. This funding included a 0.2% rescission, per P.L. 113-6, and a sequestered amount of 5.0%, per~~
~~the Budget Control Act of 2011 (P.L. 112-25), as amended by the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012~~
~~(P.L. 112-240).~~
~~c. Funding exceeded $130 mil ion in each of FY2014 through FY2020, triggering the requirement under FVPSA~~
~~that HHS must first reserve 25% of the excess funding for specialized services for abused parents and~~
~~children exposed to domestic violence. The FY2016 appropriations request notes that “[i]n previous~~
~~budgets [FY2013 through FY2015], this provision was overridden in order to direct resources to shelters.”~~
~~HHS, ACF, FY2016 Justification of Estimates for Appropriations Committees, p. 212; and based on~~
~~correspondence with HHS, ACF, April 2016. Since FY2016, HHS has al ocated funds for specialized services~~
~~for abused parents and their children. In FY2020, HHS reserved $7.2 mil ion for these purposes (CRS~~
~~correspondence with HHS, ACF in September 2020).~~
~~d. The final appropriations law for HHS was the Consolidated and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2017 ( P.L.~~
~~115-31). The FY2017 funding levels provided are based on the operating plan provided by HHS to~~
~~Congress, with further information from HHS that funds were subsequently transferred from shelters,~~
~~victim services, and program support ($482,298) and the national domestic violence hotline ($26,521) under~~
~~the 1% transfer authority for the HHS Secretary in P.L. 115-31. CRS correspondence with HHS, ACF, April~~
~~2016 and August 2017; and HHS, “FY2017 ACF Operating Plan” and “FY2017 CDC Operating Plan.”~~
~~e. The final appropriations law for HHS was the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 ( P.L. 115-141). The~~
~~FY2018 funding levels provided are based on the operating plan provided by HHS to Congress, with further~~
~~information from HHS that funds were subsequently transferred from shelters, victim services, and program~~
~~support ($1,600,000) under the 1% transfer authority for the HHS Secretary in P.L. 115-141 and $1,889 in~~
~~lapsed appropriations. CRS correspondence with HHS, ACF, November 2018; and HHS, “FY2018 ACF~~
~~Operating Plan” and “FY2018 CDC Operating Plan.”~~
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~~
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~~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)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 Al 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.44 The program has had four~~
~~iterations:~~
~~ DELTA, which was funded from FY1996 through FY2012 and involved 14~~
~~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, al of which had previously received funding under DELTA or DELTA~~
~~Prep; and~~
~~ DELTA Impact, which began with FY2018 and involves 10 states, al of which~~
~~except one has previously received DELTA funding.~~
~~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 Al 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/.~~
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~~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 chal enges for state domestic violence~~
~~coalitions in supporting and enhancing intimate partner violence prevention efforts. Overal , the~~
~~report found that states improved their capacity to respond to intimate partner violence through~~
~~evidence-based planning and implementation strategies.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.46~~
~~Through DELTA Prep, the CDC extended the DELTA 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.48 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.49 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,”~~
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~~Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding~~

~~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 al ies in prevention; (2) creating protective~~
~~environments, such as improving school climates and safety; and (3) strengthening economic~~
~~supports for families.~~
~~National Domestic Violence 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 The agreement was most recently awarded for a~~
~~five-year period that extends from the end of FY2020 through the end of 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 cal s; provides~~
~~counseling and referral services; and directly connects cal ers to service~~
~~providers. In FY2018, the hotline received about 23,000 cal s each month and~~
~~responded to 74% of al cal s (which was below its FY2018 target of 82%). It~~
~~also had an average of nearly 13,000 online chats on a monthly basis and~~
~~responded to 59% of chats (which was below the 82% target). HHS reported that~~
~~some cal s were missed due to increased volume related to media coverage of~~
~~domestic violence, increased Spanish chat services, and forwarding of cal s from~~
~~local domestic violence hotlines due to severe weather.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 ers 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”).~~
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~~Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding~~

~~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 wel as others who support victims.54 In FY2018, the helpline received a monthly~~
~~average of about 2,400 cal s; 3,800 online chats; and nearly 1,300 texts.55~~
~~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 needs and demographic characteristics of those 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 were victims/survivors and another 39% did not identify themselves.~~
~~The remainder were family/friends, abusers, and service providers. According to the study, the~~
~~service most commonly provided was 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~~

2022 (P.L. 117-103), $2 mil ion of which was transferred out of the FVPSA account. Funding for tribes reflects an additional $7 mil ion set-aside from the shelter, victim services, and program support appropriation required by P.L. 116-260. 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. Four territories—Guam, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands—each receive 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, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico each receive a base allotment of $600,000 and additional funding Congressional Research Service 12 link to page 40 link to page 17 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding based on their relative share of the U.S. population.50 Table D-1 provides formula funding for FY2021 by state and territory. In addition, no less than 10% of FVPSA appropriations for shelter and services are awarded to Indian tribes. On top of this amount, recent appropriations acts (from FY2018 through FY2022) have included a set-aside for tribes from the overall shelter, services, and support appropriation.51 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”) must make certain assurances pertaining to the use and distribution of funds and to victims. Nearly all of the same requirements that pertain to states and territories also pertain to tribes. Table 1 displays the estimated number of individuals served by FVPSA-funded domestic violence service providers over the course of the year in FY2021. It also shows the number of unmet requests for shelter (which can include multiple requests made by a single individual).52 Relatedly, a 2021 census count of domestic violence programs and shelters by the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) found that on the date of the survey (September 9, 2021), just over 70,000 individuals received shelter or services from a domestic violence service provider. There were an additional 6,049 requests for shelter that went unmet due to insufficient resources.53 Table 1. Individuals Served by FVPSA-Funded Programs and Unmet Requests for Shelter: FY2021 FY2021 Individuals served 1,144,500 Nonresidential settings 225,500 Shelters/residential settings 919,000 Unmet requests for shelter 181,300 Source: HHS, ACF FY2023 Justification of Estimates. Notes: Numbers rounded to the nearest hundred. Selected Grant Conditions Pertaining to Use and Distribution of Funds54 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”) 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 50 42 U.S.C. §10405 (Allotment of funds). The 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). 51 For example, enacted FY2021 appropriations (P.L. 116-260) reserved $7 million for tribes from the shelter, victim services, and program support appropriation. 52 HHS, ACF FY2023 Justification of Estimates, p. 221. 53 National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), 16th Annual Domestic Violence Counts Census Report, March 2022, pp. 2-10. 54 42 U.S.C. §10407 (State application). Congressional Research Service 13 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding physical space in which victims reside as well as the expenses of running shelter facilities.55 No less than 25% of subgrant funding is to be used for the following supportive services and prevention services:56  assisting in the development of safety plans, and supporting efforts of victims to make decisions about their ongoing safety and well-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 services for children exposed to domestic violence, including age- appropriate counseling, supportive services, and services for the nonabusing parent that support that parent’s role as caregiver (which may include services that work with the nonabusing parent and child together);  providing case management, information, and referral services for victims concerning issues related to domestic violence intervention and prevention, including providing assistance in accessing federal and state financial assistance programs; legal assistance; 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.57 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. 55 42 U.S.C. §10408(b) (Subgrants and uses of funds). 56 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. 57 42 U.S.C. §10406(c) (Formula grants to states-grant conditions). Congressional Research Service 14 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding 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 culturally appropriate services. Source: 42 U.S.C. §10408(c). States must provide assurances that they will 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).58 States must also describe how they will involve community-based organizations, whose primary purpose is to provide culturally 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 generally enforced by civil protection orders or restraining orders to limit the perpetrators’ physical proximity to the victim. In funding subgrantees, states must give priority 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 allocate their funding, so long as they provide assurances that grant funding will 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 allotted for FY2021 may be spent in FY2021 or FY2022. The HHS Secretary is authorized to reallocate 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 allowed six months to correct any deficiencies in their application. Selected Grant Conditions Pertaining to Victims59 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 FVPSA-funded activities generally). In addition, states and subgrantees may not impose income eligibility requirements on individuals participating in these programs. Further, states and subgrantees must protect the confidentiality and privacy of victims 58 Tribes do not necessarily have domestic violence coalitions and therefore related provisions do not apply; however, state domestic violence coalitions must collaborate with Indian tribes and 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). The Violence Against Women Act of 1994 authorizes funding for tribal domestic violence coalitions under Tribal Coalition Grants (34 U.S.C. §10441(d)). The program is funded by statutory set-asides from the VAWA-authorized STOP program and Sexual Assault Services program. 59 42 U.S.C. §10406(c) (Formula grants to states-grant conditions) and 42 §10408(d) (Subgrants and use of funds-conditions). Congressional Research Service 15 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding and their families to help ensure their safety. These entities are prohibited from disclosing any personally identifying information collected about services requested, and from revealing personally identifying information without the consent of the individual, as specified in the law. If disclosing the identity of the individual is compelled 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 payments 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 or participate in counseling or other services. State Domestic Violence Coalitions60 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;61 (2) has board membership that is representative of domestic violence service providers, and that may include representatives of the communities 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.62 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.63 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; 60 42 U.S.C. §10411 (Grants to State Domestic Violence Coalitions). 61 SDVCs may include representatives of Indian tribes and tribal organizations. See §42 U.S.C. 10411(h) (Indian representatives). 62 42 U.S.C. §10402(11) (Definitions). 63 For a list of state domestic violence coalitions, see National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), “State & U.S. Territory Coalitions,” https://nnedv.org/content/state-u-s-territory-coalitions. Congressional Research Service 16 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding  working in collaboration with service providers and community-based organizations to address the needs of domestic violence victims and their dependents who are racial and ethnic minorities 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 groups or communities) to address the needs of Indian (including Alaska Native) and Native Hawaiian victims of domestic dating violence, as applicable in the state.64 Resource 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 culturally specific resources, which HHS had previously funded on a discretionary basis.65 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.66 In total, HHS administers grants for 15 resource centers that are funded by the FVPSA appropriation for domestic violence shelters, victim services, and program support.67 The purpose 64 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, criminal 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. These 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 services. See 34 U.S.C. §10441 et seq. 65 This is based on CRS correspondence with HHS, ACF, September 2012. 66 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 Addressing 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). 67 See the 14 resource centers listed at HHS, ACF, FYSB, “Resource Centers,” https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/programs/ Congressional Research Service 17 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding 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. Services for Children Exposed to Domestic Violence FVPSA statute and regulations reference children exposed to domestic violence, but do 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’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 children) are exposed to adult domestic violence each year.68 The literature about the impacts of exposure to 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.69 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 abused parents and their children.70  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 such 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 family-violence-prevention-services/programs/centers; the 15th center is the Tribal Safe Housing Capacity Building Center (CRS correspondence with HHS, ACF in July 2022). 68 Jeffrey J. Edleson, Narae Shin, and Katy K. Armedariz Johnson, “Measuring Children’s Exposure to Domestic Violence: The Development and Testing of the Child Exposure to Domestic Violence (CEDV) Scale,” Children and Youth Services Review, vol. 30, November 6, 2007, pp. 502-521. 69 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. 70 In a 2021 one-day census count of domestic violence shelter and service providers, 53% reported providing support and advocacy for children on that day and 79% reported providing this support and advocacy throughout the year. Nearly 20,000 children were served through shelter or temporary housing and 5,500 received other domestic violence services. National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), Domestic Violence Counts 2021. Not all of these providers receive funding under the formula grant program. Congressional Research Service 18 ~~Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding~~

~~Overview of Shelters, Services, and Support~~
~~Funding for domestic 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 administration. Figure 2 shows~~
~~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 with the U.S. Department
~~of Health Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (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 FY2020 and earlier~~
~~support for specialized services for abused parents and children.~~
~~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~~
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~~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 al otment of $600,000 and additional funding based on~~
~~their relative share of the U.S. population.60 Appendix C provides formula funding for FY2019~~
~~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”) must make certain~~
~~assurances pertaining to the use and distribution of funds and to victims. Nearly al of the same~~
~~requirements that pertain to states and territories also pertain to tribes.~~
~~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~~
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~~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”) 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 wel as the expenses of running shelter facilities.64 No~~
~~less than 25% of subgrant funding is to be used for the following supportive services and~~
~~prevention services:65~~
~~ assisting in the development of safety plans, and supporting efforts of victims to~~
~~make decisions about their ongoing safety and wel -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 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’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).

~~States must also provide assurances that they 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).67 States must describe how they wil involve community-based organizations, whose~~
~~primary purpose is to provide cultural 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 general 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~~
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~~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 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 al owed six months to correct~~
~~any deficiencies in their application.~~
~~Selected Grant Conditions Pertaining to Victims68~~
~~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 FVPSA-funded activities general y). In addition, states and~~
~~subgrantees may not impose income eligibility requirements on individuals partic 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~~
~~personal y identifying information collected about services requested, and from revealing~~
~~personal y identifying information without the consent of the individual, as specified in the law. If~~
~~disclosing the identity of the individual 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 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;70 (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.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;~~
~~ 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 Hawai an~~
~~groups or communities) to address the needs of Indian (including Alaska Native)~~
~~and Native 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~~
22Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding exposed to domestic violence have also been funded by HHS using discretionary authorities and funding leveraged through a fundraising or semipostal stamp.71 Funding for Specialized Services for Abused Parents and Their Children72 Since 2003, FVPSA has specified that funding must be set aside for specialized services to address children exposed to domestic violence if the appropriation for shelter, victim services, and program support exceeds $130 million.73 Under current law, if funding is triggered, HHS must first reserve not less than 25% of funding above $130 million 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 addressing the needs of children exposed to domestic violence. Funding has exceeded $130 million in FY2010 and FY2014 through FY2022. In FY2010, funding for shelter and services was just over $130 million. HHS reserved the excess funding as well as unallocated FVPSA 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 unallocated funds to fund the initiative in FY2011 and FY2012. Total funding for the initiative was $2.5 million. 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.74 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 in each of FY2014 through FY2022, thereby triggering the set-aside. In FY2014 and FY2015, HHS directed the extra funding for domestic violence shelters, victim services, and program support.75 For FY2016 through FY2022, HHS provided funding for specialized services for abused parents and their children. From FY2016 through FY2019, approximately $5.0 million to $6.5 million was allocated to 12 grantees to provide direct services under the grant, Specialized Services for Abused Parents and their Children (SSPAC).76 In 71 A semipostal stamp is a stamp used to raise money for a cause. U.S. Postal Service, “Semipostal Stamps,” “https://about.usps.com/what/corporate-social-responsibility/activities/semipostals.htm. 72 42 U.S.C. §10406 (Formula Grants to States). 73 This was enacted as a provision under the Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003 (P.L. 108-36). The 2010 reauthorization of FVPSA (P.L. 111-320) created a new section at 42 U.S.C. §10412 (Specialized Services for Abused Parents and Their Children), which has the same purpose as the original provision. 74 The 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. 75 The FY2016 budget request noted that “In previous budgets [FY2014 through FY2015] this provision was overridden in order to direct resources to shelters.” HHS, FY2016 Administration for Children and Families Justification of Estimates for Appropriations Committees, p. 212. 76 This 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 Their 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. Congressional Research Service 19 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding FY2020, HHS awarded $7.8 million to a second cohort of 26 SSPAC grantees to carry out projects through FY2022.77 Grantees include domestic violence coalitions and other entities. They are working to alleviate 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—known as Expanding Services to Children, Youth, and Abused Parents (ESCYAP)—has been awarded annually to the nonprofit organization Futures Without Violence to provide training and technical assistance to the grantees and facilitate coordination among them through the Promising Futures Capacity Building Center.78 In FY2021, the grant amount was $2 million (including ARPA funds).79 National Domestic Violence Hotline80 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.81 The agreement was most recently awarded for a five-year period that extends from the end of FY2020 through the end of FY2025.82 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 calls; provides counseling and referral services; and directly connects callers to service providers.  It maintains a database of domestic violence services for victims throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam, 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 77 This 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. 78 Futures Without Violence, “Promising Futures: Best Practices for Serving Children, Youth, and Parents Experiencing Domestic Violence,” https://promising.futureswithoutviolence.org. 79 CRS correspondence with HHS, ACF in July 2022. 80 42 U.S.C. §10413 (National Domestic Violence Hotline Grant). 81 For further information, see National Domestic Violence Hotline, “History,” https://www.thehotline.org/about/history-of-the-hotline. 82 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. Congressional Research Service 20 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding for callers with limited English proficiency and persons who are deaf and hard of hearing. In FY2021, the hotline received about 25,000 calls each month and responded to 62% of all calls. Callers waited an average of five-and-a-half minutes to be connected with an advocate. The hotline also had an average of nearly 18,000 online chats on a monthly basis and responded to 71% of chats (the number of individuals contacting the hotline by online chat has increased over time). HHS reported that some calls were missed due to increased call volume related to media coverage promoting the hotline and during disasters and emergencies, and inadequate resources/staffing. In 2021, the hotline also launched text-messaging support, partly in response to concerns that victims could less safely make calls to the hotline during the COVID-19 pandemic while in close proximity to their abusers.83 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 as others who support victims.84 In FY2021, the helpline received a monthly average of about 1,900 calls, 1,900 online chats, and 970 texts.85 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.86 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. 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 needs and demographic characteristics of those individuals, how they reach the lines, and the type of support they receive. The study found that nearly half (48%) of those who called the hotline were victims/survivors and another 39% did not identify themselves. The remainder were family/friends, abusers, and service providers. According to the study, the service most commonly provided was emotional support, which recipients reportedly valued highly.87 Another study, published in 2020, evaluated the short-term outcomes of contacting the hotline.88 Among those who completed a follow-up survey immediately after they made contact with the 83 HHS, Administration for Children and Families FY2023 Justification of Estimates for Appropriations Committees, pp. 212-215 (hereinafter, “HHS, ACF FY2023 Justification of Estimates”). 84 National Council on Family Violence, “loveisrespect.org,” http://www.loveisrespect.org/. 85 HHS, ACF FY2023 Justification of Estimates, pp. 212-215. 86 The 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/. 87 HHS, ACF, Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE), An Evaluation of the National Domestic Violence Hotline and loveisrespect, OPRE Report #2018-117, December 2018. 88 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. The 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. Congressional Research Service 21 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding hotline, the majority (83% to 98%) reported improvements on all of the outcomes measured, including knowledge of domestic and/or dating violence, safety planning, knowledge of options and resources, 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.89 Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancement and Leadership Through Alliances (DELTA)90 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 Alliances (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.91 The program has had four iterations:  DELTA, which was funded from FY1996 through FY2012 and involved 14 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 of which had previously received funding under DELTA or DELTA Prep; and  DELTA Impact, which began with FY2018 and involves 9 states, all of which except one have previously received DELTA funding. As originally 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.92 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 Alliance Against Domestic and Sexual Violence—that focused on faith-based initiatives. Both CCRs held forums that provided resources and information about the Also see George Washington University, Milken Institute School of Public Health, Short-Term Outcomes After Contacting The National Domestic Violence Hotline and loveisrespect: Comparing Survivors to Other Contactors, for HHS, ACF, FYSB and OPRE, OPRE Report # 2020-119, p. 12, September 2, 2020. 89 Ibid, p. 59. 90 42 U.S.C. §10414 (Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancement and Leadership Through Alliances (DELTA)). 91 The CDC defines primary prevention as “stopping IPV [intimate partner violence] before it occurs.” HHS, CDC, “Violence Prevention: DELTA Focus,” http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/deltafocus/. 92 Alaska, California, Delaware, Florida, Kansas, Michigan, Montana, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Rhode Island, Virginia, and Wisconsin. Congressional Research Service 22

~~Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding~~

~~Resource Centers~~
~~As original y 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 cultural y specific resources, which had previously been~~
~~funded through discretionary funds.74 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 Hawai an populations.75~~
~~In total, HHS administers grants for 14 resource centers that are funded by the FVPSA~~
~~appropriation for 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.~~
~~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~~
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~~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 11 female teens and 1 in 15 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 9 female teens and nearly 1 in 36 male teens reported~~
~~experiencing sexual dating violence within 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.81~~
~~The FVPSA statute references dating violence throughout and uses the definition of “dating~~
~~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.82~~
~~Domestic violence shelters and supportive services funded by FVPSA are often geared towards~~
~~adult victims and their children if they accompany the adult into shelter. The FVPSA statute 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.83 The primary source of support for teen victims under FVPSA is~~
~~provided via the national domestic violence hotline. The hotline includes the loveisrespect~~
~~helpline and related online resources. Youth victims can cal , 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.84~~
~~Children Exposed to Domestic Violence~~
~~Background~~
~~FVPSA statute 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’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 mil ion to 10 mil ion children) are exposed to adult domestic~~
~~violence each year.85 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~~

~~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.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 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 Violence88~~
~~Since 2003, FVPSA has specified that funding must be set aside for specialized services to~~
~~address children exposed to domestic violence if the appropriation for shelter, victim services,~~
~~and program support exceeds $130 mil ion.89 Under current law, if funding is triggered, HHS~~
~~must first reserve not less than 25% of funding above $130 mil 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~~

~~addressing the needs of children exposed to domestic violence. Funding has exceeded $130~~
~~mil ion in FY2010 and FY2014 through FY2019.~~
~~In FY2010, funding for shelter and services was just over $130 mil ion. HHS reserved the excess~~
~~funding as 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 was $2.5 mil 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.90 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 mil ion in each of FY2014 through FY2020, thereby triggering the~~
~~set-aside. In FY2014 and FY2015, HHS directed the extra funding for domestic violence shelters,~~
~~victim services, and program support.91 For FY2016 through FY2020, HHS provided funding for~~
~~specialized services for abused parents and their children. 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 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—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 grantees and facilitate~~
~~coordination among them 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~~
~~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.96 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.97 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’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.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.99~~ Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding roles of faith leaders in preventing the first-time occurrence of domestic violence. The 14 state domestic 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 challenges for state domestic violence coalitions in supporting and enhancing intimate partner violence prevention efforts. Overall, the report found that states improved their capacity to respond to intimate partner violence through evidence-based planning and implementation strategies.93 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.94 Through DELTA Prep, the CDC extended the DELTA program to 19 states95 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.96 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. 93 HHS, CDC, Taking Action to Prevent Intimate Partner Violence: Creating Statewide Prevention Plans, 2013. For further information about DELTA 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 DELTA and EMPOWER Programs,” Journal of Family Social Work, vol. 13, no. 4, 2013. 94 The 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. 95 Alabama, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Idaho, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, and Washington. 96 Alaska, California, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, and Rhode Island. For further information, see HHS, CDC, “Funding Opportunity, DELTA (Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancement Leadership Through Alliances, Focusing on Outcomes for Communities United with States) FOCUS”; and HHS, CDC, “The DELTA Focus Program: Intimate Partner Violence is Preventable,” https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/deltafocus/. Congressional Research Service 23 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding DELTA Impact DELTA Impact, which began in FY2018, provides funding to nine state domestic violence coalitions.97 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 allies in prevention; (2) creating protective environments, such as improving school climates and safety; and (3) strengthening economic supports for families. Demonstration Projects Using unallocated funds, in recent years, HHS has funded demonstration projects aimed at improving housing for domestic violence survivors.98 This has included $500,000 in each of FY2019, FY2020, and FY2021 for the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV) (selected through a competitive process99) to operate the National Capacity Building Center on Safe and Supportive Housing for Domestic Violence Survivors, which conducts research on housing-related issues for survivors and provides training and technical assistance to service providers.100 In FY2022, HHS also provided $450,000 to the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center (selected through a competitive process101) to operate a Tribal Safe Housing Capacity Building Center for Domestic Violence Survivors, which similarly aims to disseminate research and provide training and technical assistance to local organizations, with a focus on supporting the needs of American Indian and Alaskan Native survivors.102 Teen Dating Violence Background Teenagers may be exposed to violence in their dating relationships. The CDC reports that on an annual basis, 1 in 11 female teens and 1 in 15 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 9 female teens and nearly 1 in 36 male teens reported experiencing sexual dating violence within a recent one-year period, which includes forcing or 97 Alaska, California, Delaware, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Tennessee. For further information, see HHS, CDC, “Funding Opportunity, DELTA (Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancement Leadership Through Alliances, Focusing on Outcomes for Communities United with States) Impact”; and HHS, CDC, “About DELTA Impact,” https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/delta/impact/index.html. 98 HHS, ACF FY2021 Justification of Estimates, pp. 205-206. 99 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://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=283305. 100 CRS correspondence with HHS, ACF, September 2020 and July 2022 and Safe Housing Partnerships, “About the Consortium,” https://safehousingpartnerships.org/about. 101 HHS, ACF, “Family Violence Prevention and Services Discretionary Grants: Capacity Building Center on Safe and Supportive Housing for Domestic Violence Survivors in Tribal Communities (Tribal Safe Housing Center),” HHS-2021-ACF-ACYF-EV-1945, 2021, https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=329060. 102 CRS correspondence with HHS, ACF, July 2022. Congressional Research Service 24 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding 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. Lesbian, gay, or bisexual teens reported higher rates of dating violence victimization (more than 1 in 5) than heterosexual teens (1 in 10).103 Transgender teens also reported higher rates of physical dating violence (more than 1 in 4, compared to fewer than 1 in 11 cisgender teens) and sexual dating violence (more than 1 in 5, compared to fewer than 1 in 8 cisgender teens).104 The FVPSA statute references dating violence throughout and uses the definition of “dating 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.105 Domestic violence shelters and supportive services funded by FVPSA are often geared towards adult victims and their children if they accompany the adult into shelter. The FVPSA statute 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.106 The primary source of support for teen victims under FVPSA is provided via the national domestic violence hotline. The hotline includes the loveisrespect helpline and related online resources (discussed previously). Youth victims can call, 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.107 FVPSA Interaction with Other Federal Laws In addition to the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), FVPSA has been reauthorized with 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.108 Further, FVPSA includes provisions that encourage or require HHS to coordinate FVPSA programs with related programs and research carried out by other federal agencies. 103 HHS, CDC, “Teen Newsletter: March 2021 – Teen Dating Violence,” https://www.cdc.gov/museum/education/newsletter/2021/mar/index.html and CDC, “Interpersonal Violence Victimization Among High School Students—Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2019,” Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Supplements, August 2020, 69(1): 28-37. 104 CDC, “Transgender Identity and Experiences of Violence Victimization, Substance Use, Suicide Risk, and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among High School Students—19 States and Large Urban School Districts, 2017,” MMWR, January 2019, 68(3): 67-71. 105 34 U.S.C. §12291(a)(10). 106 Break the Cycle, 2010 State Law Report Cards: A National Survey of Teen Dating Violence Laws, 2010. 107 National Council on Family Violence, “Love is Respect,” http://www.loveisrespect.org/. 108 The 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 Domestic 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. Congressional Research Service 25 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding 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.109 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’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.110 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.111 Other federal efforts also address the association Other federal efforts also address the association
between domestic violence and child abuse. For example, the Maternal, Infant, and Early between domestic violence and child abuse. For example, the Maternal, Infant, and Early
Childhood Home VisitingChildhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program supports efforts to improve the outcomes of (MIECHV) program supports efforts to improve the outcomes of
young children livingyoung children living in communities with concentrations of domestic violence or child in communities with concentrations of domestic violence or child
maltreatment, among other factors. The program provides grants to states, territories, and tribes 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 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.visits by health or social service professionals with at-risk families.~~100~~

~~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~~ 112 Separately, the Family Connection Grants113 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.114 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,115 which convened family court judges and experts on child maltreatment 109 U.S. Congress, House Select Committee on Children, Youth, and Families, Violence and Abuse in American Families, 98th Cong., 2nd sess., June 14, 1984. See for example, statement of Representative David Marriott. 110 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. Those 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, 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 the comparable percentages were the same (28% and 12%); for children removed from the home following the
investigation, the comparable numbers wereinvestigation, the comparable numbers were slightly slightly ~~h igher~~higher (30% and 16%); however, this percentage difference was (30% and 16%); however, this percentage difference was
not statistically significant. not statistically significant. ~~T he~~The study did not compare the prevalence of domestic violence for families generally. study did not compare the prevalence of domestic violence for families generally.
99111 42 U.S.C. 42 U.S.C. §5106a(a)(14) (Development and operation grants). §5106a(a)(14) (Development and operation grants).
~~100~~112 For further information, see CRS For further information, see CRS Report R43930, Report R43930, Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV)
Program : Background and Funding .
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~~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.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,103 which convened family court judges and experts on child maltreatment~~
. 113 For further information on CAPTA and Family Connection Grants, see CRS Report R43458, Child Welfare: An Overview of Federal Programs and Their Current Funding. 114 42 U.S.C. §627 (Family connection grants). 115 42 U.S.C. §627. The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges is the operator of the FVPSA-funded Child Protection and Custody Resource Center. Congressional Research Service 26 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding and domestic violence. In 1999, this group developed guidelines for child welfare agencies, 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 domestic violence providers, and dependency courts in responding to domestic violence and child
abuse in a publicationabuse in a publication that came to be known as the Greenbook. Soon after, HHS and DOJ funded 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 efforts in six communities to address domestic violence and child maltreatment by implementing
guidelines from the Greenbook.guidelines from the Greenbook.~~104~~
~~Final y~~116 Finally, the ongoing, HHS-led Federal Interagency Working Group on Child Abuse and Neglect , the ongoing, HHS-led Federal Interagency Working Group on Child Abuse and Neglect
includes a Domestic Violence Subcommittee.includes a Domestic Violence Subcommittee.~~105~~117 The committee focuses on interagency initiatives The committee focuses on interagency initiatives
that address children exposed to domestic violence and promoting information exchange and joint that address children exposed to domestic violence and promoting information exchange and joint
planning among federal agencies. planning among federal agencies.
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)~~106~~118
FVPSA has twice been amended FVPSA has twice been amended byalongside VAWA. VAWA. 119 Both FVPSA and VAWABoth FVPSA and VAWA are the primary vehicles for are the primary vehicles for
federal support to prevent and respond to domestic violence, including federal support to prevent and respond to domestic violence, including for children and youth who children and youth who
are exposed to this violence; however, FVPSA has a more singular focus on are exposed to this violence; however, FVPSA has a more singular focus on ~~prevention and~~
services for victimsservices for victims and prevention, while VAWA’s unique contributions are more focused on law enforcement , while VAWA’s unique contributions are more focused on law enforcement
~~and~~and the legal response to domestic violence. legal response to domestic violence.
VAWA VAWA was enacted in 1994 after Congress held a series of hearings on the causes and effects of 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 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 asserted that communities needed a more comprehensive response to violence against women
~~general y~~generally—not just against intimate partners—and that perpetrators should face harsher —not just against intimate partners—and that perpetrators should face harsher
penalties.penalties.~~107 The shortfal s~~120 The shortfalls of legal of legal ~~response~~responses 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 116 ~~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, For further information, see National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, ~~“T he~~ “The Greenbook Initiative,” Greenbook Initiative,”
~~http~~https://www.thegreenbook.info/://www.thegreenbook.info/.
~~105 HHS,~~ index.htm and Greenbook: The Effective Intervention in Domestic Violence and Child Maltreatment Cases: Guidelines for Policy and Practice, 1999. 117 HHS, Office on Women’s Health, Office on Women’s Health, Overview of Violence Against Women Activities 2010-2011, p. 28; and HHS, , p. 28; and HHS,
ACF,”ACF,” Federal Inter-Agency Work Group on ChildFederal Inter-Agency Work Group on Child ~~Abuse~~ Abuse & Neglect,” https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/resource/fediawg.& Neglect,” https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/resource/fediawg.
~~106~~ 118 For further information, see CRS For further information, see CRS Report R42499, Report R42499, The Violence Against Women Act: Overview, Legislation, and
Federal Funding. .
~~107 In their introduction t o~~119 FVPSA was amended by the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (P.L. 103-322), which authorized VAWA, and by the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-386), which also reauthorized VAWA. 120 In their introduction to the Violence Against Women Act, then-Senator Joseph Biden and Senator Barbara Boxer the Violence Against Women Act, then-Senator Joseph Biden and Senator Barbara Boxer
highlighted the weak legalhighlighted the weak legal response to violence against women by police andresponse to violence against women by police and prosecutors. Senators Biden and Boxer, prosecutors. Senators Biden and Boxer,
“Violence Against Women,” Remarks in the Senate, “Violence Against Women,” Remarks in the Senate, Congressional Record, June 21, 1994. See also Joseph Biden, , June 21, 1994. See also Joseph Biden,
“Violence Against Women: “Violence Against Women: ~~T he~~The Congressional Response,” American Psychologist, vol. 48, no. 10 (October 1993), pp. 1059-1061; Barbara Vobejda, “Battered Women’s Cry Relayed Up From Grass Roots,” Washington Post, July 6, 1994, p. A1. Congressional Research Service 27 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding ~~Congressional Response,” American Psychologist, vol. 48, no. 10 (October 1993), pp.~~
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~~Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding~~

~~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 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 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 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 resources or services, crisis intervention, and advocacy in navigating the criminal and/or civil
legal system.legal system.~~108~~
121 Of STOP funds appropriated, 30% must be Of STOP funds appropriated, 30% must be ~~al ocated~~allocated to victim services. STOP grants also support to victim services. STOP grants also support
activities that are not funded under FVPSA, including for law enforcement, courts, and activities that are not funded under FVPSA, including for law enforcement, courts, and
prosecution efforts. Another VAWA program, Transitional Housing Assistance Grants for Victims prosecution efforts. Another VAWA program, Transitional Housing Assistance Grants for Victims
of Domestic Violence, provides housing (either short-term emergency or transitional) for victims, of Domestic Violence, provides housing (either short-term emergency or transitional) for victims,
with the goal of moving them into permanent housing. with the goal of moving them into permanent housing. ~~Through~~Likewise, through the grant program to states, the grant program to states,
territories, and tribes, FVPSA provides immediate and short-term shelter to victims of domestic 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 violence and authorizes service providers to assist with locating and securing safe and affordable
permanent housing and homelessness prevention services. 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 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 tribes use a certain share of funding for selected activities, including assistance in accessing other
federal and state financial assistance programs.federal and state financial assistance programs.~~109~~122 One source of federal finance assistance for One source of federal finance assistance for
victims of domestic violence is the Crime Victims Fund (CVF), authorized under the Victims of 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 Crime Act (VOCA) and administered by the Department of Justice’s Office of Victims of Crime
(OVC).(OVC).~~110~~123 Within the CVF, funds are available for victims of domestic violence through the Within the CVF, funds are available for victims of domestic violence through the
Victim Compensation Formula Grants program and Victims Assistance Formula Grants program. 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 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 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 costs, and other costs (except property loss) authorized in a state’s compensation statute. In
~~FY2018~~FY2019, approximately 90% of claims that listed a specific victimization type were related to , approximately 90% of claims that listed a specific victimization type were related to
family and domestic violence.family and domestic violence.~~111~~124 The Victims Assistance Formula Grants 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~~ program provides 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 FY2019, approximately 40% of victims served by these grants were victims of domestic violence.125 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. 121 DOJ, OVW, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About STOP Formula Grants, updated October 2017. 122 42 U.S.C. 10408(b)(G)(1) (Subgrants and uses of funds). 123 Deposits to the CVF come from criminal finds, forfeited appearance bonds, penalties, and special assessments come from criminal finds, forfeited appearance bonds, penalties, and special assessments
collected by U.S.collected by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, federal courts, and the Federal BureauAttorneys’ Offices, federal courts, and the Federal Bureau of Prisoners. For further information, see of Prisoners. For further information, see
CRSCRS Report R42672, Report R42672, The ~~Crim e Victim s~~ Crime Victims Fund: Federal Support for ~~Victim s of Crim e~~.
~~111 Of 51,680~~Victims of Crime. 124 Of 51,456 claims that listed a specific victimization type, 46, claims that listed a specific victimization type, 46,~~233~~220 (89. (89.58%) were related to %) were related to ~~family and domestic~~domestic and family
violence. Another violence. Another ~~191,601~~183,858 claims did not list a specific victimization type. DOJ, OVC, “ claims did not list a specific victimization type. DOJ, OVC, “ Victims of Crime Act: Victim Victims of Crime Act: Victim
Compensation: Formula Grant Program: Compensation: Formula Grant Program: ~~FY2018~~FY2019 Data Analysis Report,” Data Analysis Report,” ~~p. 4.~~
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~~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 FY2018, approximately 42% of victims served~~
~~by these grants were victims of domestic violence.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.~~
pp. 6-7. 125 DOJ, OVC, “Victims of Crime Act: Victim Assistance: Formula Grant Program: FY2019 Data Analysis Report,” pp. 6-7. Congressional Research Service 28 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding For example, FVPSA authorizes the HHS Secretary to coordinate programs within HHS and to 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 “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 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 provision of assistance for adults and youth victims of family violence, domestic violence, or
dating violence.”dating violence.”~~113~~126 In addition, FVPSA directs HHS to assign employees to coordinate research 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 efforts on family and related violence within HHS and research carried out by other federal
agencies.agencies.~~114~~127 Similarly, VAWA Similarly, VAWA requires the Attorney General to consult with stakeholders in requires the Attorney General to consult with stakeholders in
establishing a task force—comprised of representatives from relevant federal agencies—to 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 coordinate research on domestic violence and to report to Congress on any overlapping or
duplication of efforts on domestic violence issues.duplication of efforts on domestic violence issues.~~115~~128
In 1995, HHS and DOJ convened the In 1995, HHS and DOJ convened the ~~first meeting of the~~ National Advisory Council on Violence National Advisory Council on Violence
Against Women. The purpose of the council was to promote greater awareness of violence against 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. 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-In 2010, then-
Attorney General Eric Holder rechartered the National Advisory Committee on Violence Against Attorney General Eric Holder rechartered the National Advisory Committee on Violence Against
Women, which had previously been established in 2006 under his predecessor.Women, which had previously been established in 2006 under his predecessor.~~116~~129 As stated in the As stated in the
charter, the committee is intended to provide the Attorney General and the HHS Secretary with 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 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 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 implementing successful interventions for children and teens who witness and/or are victimized
by intimate partner and sexual violence. by intimate partner and sexual violence.
Separately, the director for FVPSA programs and the deputy director of HHS’s Office on Separately, the director for FVPSA programs and the deputy director of HHS’s Office on
Women’s Health provide leadership to the HHS Steering Committee on Violence Against Women’s Health provide leadership to the HHS Steering Committee on Violence Against
Women.Women.~~117~~130 This committee supports This committee supports ~~col aborative~~collaborative efforts to address violence against women and efforts to address violence against women and
their children, and includes representatives from the CDC and other HHS agencies. The members 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 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.fields to increase attention on women’s health and violence issues. In addition to these collaborative activities, multiple federal agencies have participated 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.131 Finally, during the Obama Administration, 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.132 126 42 U.S.C. ~~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). §10404(a)(5) (Authority of Secretary—authorities).
~~114~~ 127 42 U.S.C. 42 U.S.C. §10404(b)(3)(C) (Authority of Secretary—administration). §10404(b)(3)(C) (Authority of Secretary—administration).
~~115~~ 128 42 U.S.C. §14042(a) (Task Force). 42 U.S.C. §14042(a) (Task Force).
~~116~~129 U.S. U.S. Department of Justice, “National Advisory Committee on Violence Against Women,Department of Justice, “National Advisory Committee on Violence Against Women, ” https://www.justice.gov/” https://www.justice.gov/
ovw/national-advisory-committee-violence-againstovw/national-advisory-committee-violence-against -women, and “-women, and “ Charge to the National Advisory Committee on Charge to the National Advisory Committee on
Violence Against Women,” April 2006. Violence Against Women,” April 2006.
~~117~~ 130 HHS, HHS, Office on Women’s Health, Office on Women’s Health, Overview of Violence Against Women Activities 2010-2011. 131 U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice, “Setting the Teen Dating Violence Research Agenda,” http://www.nij.gov/topics/crime/intimate-partner-violence/teen-dating-violence/research-agenda.htm. 132 Office of the President, “1 is 2 Many,” https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/1is2many/about; and The White Congressional Research Service 29 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding More recently, the Biden Administration issued an executive order establishing a Gender Policy Council, which is required to coordinate an interagency response to gender-based violence and develop a “U.S. National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence.”133 House, 1 is 2 Many: Twenty Years Fighting Violence Against Women and Girls, September 2014. 133 White House, “Executive Order on Establishment of the White House Gender Policy Council,” March 8, 2021, https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/03/08/executive-order-on-establishment-of-the-white-house-gender-policy-council/. Congressional Research Service 30~~2010-2011~~.
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~~Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding~~

~~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.118~~
~~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.~~
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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: The Family Violence Violence
Felony or misdemeanor Felony or misdemeanor ~~crimes~~ crimes of violenceof violence committed by a current or former committed by a current or former
Prevention and Services Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) Act (FVPSA)
spouse of the victim, by a person with whom the victim spouse of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, shares a child in common,
references references the definition under the the definition under the
by a person who is cohabiting with or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse, by a person who is cohabiting with or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse,
Violence Against Women Violence Against Women Act of 1994 Act of 1994
by a person similarly by a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domesticsituated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family or family
(VAWA), as amended, at 34 U.S.C. (VAWA), as amended, at 34 U.S.C.
violence violence laws of the jurisdictionlaws of the jurisdiction ~~receiving~~ receiving grant monies,grant monies, or by any other person or by any other person
§12291(a)( §12291(a)(812). ).
against an adult or youth victim who is protected from against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person’s act under the that person’s act under the
domesticdomestic or familyor family violence laws of the jurisdiction.violence laws of the jurisdiction.
Family Violence: FVPSA defines this term : FVPSA defines this term
Any act or threatened act of violence, Any act or threatened act of violence, including any forceful detention of an including any forceful detention of an
at 42 U.S.C. at 42 U.S.C. §10402(4). §10402(4).
individual, that (1) results or threatens to result in physical injury; and (2) is individual, that (1) results or threatens to result in physical injury; and (2) is
committedcommitted by a person against another individual (including an elderlyby a person against another individual (including an elderly individual) to individual) to
or with whom such person is related by blood, is or was related to by marriage,or with whom such person is related by blood, is or was related to by marriage, or or
was otherwisewas otherwise ~~legal y~~ legally related to, or is or was lawful y residing with. related to, or is or was lawful y residing with.
Dating Violence: FVPSA references: FVPSA references the the
Violence committed Violence committed by a person who has been in a social relationship of a romantic by a person who has been in a social relationship of a romantic
definition under VAWA, definition under VAWA, as amended, at as amended, at
or intimate nature with the victim; and where the existence of such a relationship or intimate nature with the victim; and where the existence of such a relationship is is
34 U.S.C. 34 U.S.C. §12291(a)(§12291(a)(1011). ).
determined determined based on consideration of the length of the relationship, the type of based on consideration of the length of the relationship, the type of
relationship,relationship, and the frequency of interaction between the persons involved. and the frequency of interaction between the persons involved.
Elder abuse: FVPSA references: FVPSA references this term,this term,
Any action against a person who is 50 years of age or older that constitutes the Any action against a person who is 50 years of age or older that constitutes the
but does not point to a specific but does not point to a specific
wil ful wil ful infliction of injury, unreasonable confinement, intimidation,infliction of injury, unreasonable confinement, intimidation, or cruel or cruel
definition. The term is defined under definition. The term is defined under
punishment with resulting physical harm, pain, or mental anguish; or deprivation by a punishment with resulting physical harm, pain, or mental anguish; or deprivation by a
VAWA, VAWA, as amended, at 34 U.S.C. as amended, at 34 U.S.C.
person, including a caregiver, person, including a caregiver, of goods or servicesof goods or services with intent to cause physical with intent to cause physical
§12291(a)( §12291(a)(1114). ).
harm, mental anguish, or mental il ness. harm, mental anguish, or mental il ness.
Child abuse: FVPSA references: FVPSA references this term,this term,
At a minimum,At a minimum, any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker, any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker,
but does not point to a specific but does not point to a specific
which results in death, serious which results in death, serious physical or emotionalphysical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or harm, sexual abuse or
definition. The term is defined under definition. The term is defined under
exploitation, or an act or failure to act that presents an imminent exploitation, or an act or failure to act that presents an imminent ~~risk~~ risk of serious of serious
the Child Abuse Prevention and the Child Abuse Prevention and
harm. harm.
Treatment Act (CAPTA), at 42 U.S.C. Treatment Act (CAPTA), at 42 U.S.C.
§5101 note. §5101 note.
Stalking:: FVPSA referencesFVPSA references this term, this term,
Engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a Engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a
but does not point to a specific but does not point to a specific
reasonable person to (1) fear for his or her safety or the safety of others; or (2) reasonable person to (1) fear for his or her safety or the safety of others; or (2)
definition. The term is defined under definition. The term is defined under
suffer substantial emotional suffer substantial emotional distress. distress.
VAWA, VAWA, as amended, at 34 U.S.C. as amended, at 34 U.S.C.
§12291(a)(§12291(a)(3036). ).
Sexual assault: FVPSA references: FVPSA references this this
Nonconsensual sexual act proscribed by federal, Nonconsensual sexual act proscribed by federal, tribal,tribal, or state law, including when or state law, including when
term, term, but does not point to a specific but does not point to a specific
the victim lacks capacity to consent. the victim lacks capacity to consent.
definition. The term is defined under definition. The term is defined under
VAWA,VAWA, as amended, at 34 U.S.C. as amended, at 34 U.S.C.
§12291(a)(§12291(a)(2935). ).
Source: CongressionalCongressional Research ServiceResearch Service (CRS), based on current law. (CRS), based on current law.

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Appendix B. Prevalence and Effects of Domestic
Violence
Table B-1. Lifetime and 12-Month Prevalence of Violence Committed by an
Intimate Partner and Related Impacts
National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, 2015 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, 2015
Lifetime
~~Lifetime~~
Past 12 Months
Weighted
Estimated
Weighted
Estimated

Percentage
Number
Percentage
Number
Women
Any contact sexual violence, Any contact sexual violence,
physical 36.4% 36.4%
43,579,000 43,579,000
5.5% 5.5%
6,584,000 6,584,000
~~physical~~ violence,violence, and/or and/or
stalking stalking
Contact sexual violence
18.3% 18.3%
21,897,000 21,897,000
2.4% 2.4%
2,932,000 2,932,000
Physical ~~Violence~~vio lencea
30.6% 30.6%
36,632,000 36,632,000
2.9% 2.9%
3,455,000 3,455,000
Stalking
10.4% 10.4%
12,499,000 12,499,000
2.2% 2.2%
2,591,000 2,591,000
IPV-~~Related Impact~~related impact
25.1% 25.1%
30,025,000 30,025,000
3.0% 3.0%
3,635,000 3,635,000
Men
Any contact sexual violence, Any contact sexual violence,
physical 33.6% 33.6%
37,342,000 37,342,000
5.2% 5.2%
5,786,000 5,786,000
~~physical~~ violence,violence, and/or and/or
stalking stalking
Contact sexual violence
8.2% 8.2%
9,082,000 9,082,000
1.6% 1.6%
1,833,000 1,833,000
Physical ~~Violence~~vio lencea
31.0% 31.0%
34,436,000 34,436,000
3.8% 3.8%
4,255,000 4,255,000
Stalking
2.2% 2.2%
2,485,000 2,485,000
0.8% 0.8%
918,000 918,000
IPV-~~Related Impact~~related impact
10.9% 10.9%
12,118,000 12,118,000
1.9% 1.9%
2,101,000 2,101,000
Source: Sharon G. Smith et al., Sharon G. Smith et al., The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey 2015 Data Brief – Updated
Release, Tables 9 and 11, U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesTables 9 and 11, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers for Disease(HHS), Centers for Disease Control Control
and Prevention (CDC), Novemberand Prevention (CDC), November 2018. 2018.
Notes: National estimatesNational estimates were derivedwere derived based on statistical weights applied to the percentages of respondents based on statistical weights applied to the percentages of respondents
who experience domesticwho experience domestic violence.violence. Intimate partners include cohabiting or Intimate partners include cohabiting or ~~non -cohabiting~~noncohabiting romantic or sexual romantic or sexual
partners who are opposite or same-sex couples. partners who are opposite or same-sex couples.
Contact sexual violence by an intimate partner includes rape, being made to penetrate someone by an intimate partner includes rape, being made to penetrate someone else,else, sexual sexual
coercion,coercion, and/or unwanted sexual contact perpetrated by an intimate partner.and/or unwanted sexual contact perpetrated by an intimate partner. Physical violence is defined as a is defined as a
range of behaviors fromrange of behaviors from slapping, pushing, or shoving to severeslapping, pushing, or shoving to severe acts such as being beaten, burned, or choked. acts such as being beaten, burned, or choked.
Stalking is defined as a pattern of harassing or threatening tactics used by a perpetrator that is both unwanted is defined as a pattern of harassing or threatening tactics used by a perpetrator that is both unwanted
and causes fear of safety concerns in the victim.and causes fear of safety concerns in the victim. Intimate partner violence (IPV)-related impact includes experiencing includes experiencing
any of the fol owing: being fearful, being concerned for safety, being injured, having a need for medicalany of the fol owing: being fearful, being concerned for safety, being injured, having a need for medical care, care,
needing help fromneeding help from law enforcement,law enforcement, ~~missing~~ missing at least one day of work,at least one day of work, or missingor missing at least one day of school.at least one day of school. The The
fol owing impacts were also included in the lifetimefol owing impacts were also included in the lifetime ~~estimate~~ estimate only: any post-traumatic stressonly: any post-traumatic stress ~~disorder~~ disorder symptoms, symptoms,
a need for housing services,a need for housing services, a need for victima need for victim advocate services,advocate services, a need for legal services,a need for legal services, and contacting a crisis and contacting a crisis
hotline. For those who experienced rape or were made to penetrate by an intimate partner, it also includes a hotline. For those who experienced rape or were made to penetrate by an intimate partner, it also includes a
lifetimelifetime estimate of having contracted a estimate of having contracted a ~~sexual y~~sexually transmitted infection. By definition, transmitted infection. By definition, al all stalking victimizations stalking victimizations
result in impact because the definition of stalking requiresresult in impact because the definition of stalking requires the experiencethe experience of fear or concern for safety. of fear or concern for safety.
The 2015 report includes findings of The 2015 report includes findings of psychological aggression, which are not discussed here., which are not discussed here. This includes This includes
expressiveexpressive aggression such as name aggression such as name ~~cal ing~~calling, or insulting or humiliating an intimate , or insulting or humiliating an intimate ~~partn er~~partner; and coercive; and coercive control, control,
which includes behaviors that are intended to monitor,which includes behaviors that are intended to monitor, control, or threaten an intimate partner. control, or threaten an intimate partner.
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~~Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding~~

a. The most prevalent type of physical violence among women over their lifetimea. The most prevalent type of physical violence among women over their lifetime (30.3%) and the past 12 (30.3%) and the past 12
months (3.6%) was being slapped, pushed, or shoved (30.3% and 3.6%, respectively), months (3.6%) was being slapped, pushed, or shoved (30.3% and 3.6%, respectively), fol owedfol owed by any severe Congressional Research Service 32 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding ~~by any severe~~
physical violencephysical violence (23.2% and 2.5%, respectively).(23.2% and 2.5%, respectively). The most prevalent type of physical violence among males The most prevalent type of physical violence among males
over their lifetimeover their lifetime and the past 12 months was being slapped, pushed, or shoved (26% and 4.4%, and the past 12 months was being slapped, pushed, or shoved (26% and 4.4%,
respectively)respectively) and any severeand any severe physical violence (13.9% and 2.1%, respectively).physical violence (13.9% and 2.1%, respectively). Severe physical violence Severe physical violence
includes hitting with a fist or something hard, kicking, hurting by pul ing hair, slammingincludes hitting with a fist or something hard, kicking, hurting by pul ing hair, slamming up against something, up against something,
trying to hurt by choking or suffocating, beating, burning on purpose, or using a gun or a knife. trying to hurt by choking or suffocating, beating, burning on purpose, or using a gun or a knife.

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33 link to page 39 link to page 39 link to page 39 link to page 39 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding

Appendix C. ~~State and Territory Funding for~~
~~Selected FVPSA Services~~
~~Table C-1. FVPSA Formula Grant Funding for Shelter and Supportive Services for~~
~~States and Territories, FY2019 and FY2020~~
~~FY2020~~
~~FY2020 Total~~
~~FY2019~~
~~FY2020 Annual~~
~~Supplemental~~
~~(Annual +~~
~~State/Territory~~
~~Final~~
~~Appropriations~~
~~Appropriations~~
~~Supplemental)~~
~~Alabama~~
~~$1,708,961~~
~~$1,771,731~~
~~$513,412~~
~~$2,285,143~~
~~Alaska~~
~~$769,171~~
~~$776,780~~
~~$77,459~~
~~$854,239~~
~~Arizona~~
~~$2,180,467~~
~~$2,319,203~~
~~$753,295~~
~~$3,072,498~~
~~Arkansas~~
~~$1,281,399~~
~~$1,322,481~~
~~$316,566~~
~~$1,639,047~~
~~California~~
~~$9,550,039~~
~~$10,082,702~~
~~$4,154,993~~
~~$14,237,695~~
~~Colorado~~
~~$1,863,390~~
~~$1,965,353~~
~~$598,251~~
~~$2,563,604~~
~~Connecticut~~
~~$1,415,525~~
~~$1,456,447~~
~~$375,266~~
~~$1,831,713~~
~~Delaware~~
~~$817,096~~
~~$831,852~~
~~$101,590~~
~~$933,442~~
~~District of Columbia~~
~~$755,325~~
~~$768,394~~
~~$73,784~~
~~$842,178~~
~~Florida~~
~~$5,300,180~~
~~$5,705,921~~
~~$2,237,238~~
~~$7,943,159~~
~~Georgia~~
~~$2,951,036~~
~~$3,121,752~~
~~$1,104,945~~
~~$4,226,697~~
~~Hawai~~
~~$925,749~~
~~$940,523~~
~~$149,206~~
~~$1,089,729~~
~~Idaho~~
~~$983,800~~
~~$1,020,523~~
~~$184,258~~
~~$1,204,781~~
~~Il inois~~
~~$3,519,088~~
~~$3,654,320~~
~~$1,338,298~~
~~$4,992,618~~
~~Indiana~~
~~$2,112,511~~
~~$2,204,192~~
~~$702,901~~
~~$2,907,093~~
~~Iowa~~
~~$1,314,793~~
~~$1,356,598~~
~~$331,515~~
~~$1,688,113~~
~~Kansas~~
~~$1,262,939~~
~~$1,297,952~~
~~$305,819~~
~~$1,603,771~~
~~Kentucky~~
~~$1,611,747~~
~~$1,671,175~~
~~$469,352~~
~~$2,140,527~~
~~Louisiana~~
~~$1,667,543~~
~~$1,717,100~~
~~$489,475~~
~~$2,206,575~~
~~Maine~~
~~$903,612~~
~~$920,845~~
~~$140,583~~
~~$1,061,428~~
~~Maryland~~
~~$1,971,909~~
~~$2,048,574~~
~~$634,715~~
~~$2,683,289~~
~~Massachusetts~~
~~$2,153,265~~
~~$2,254,598~~
~~$724,988~~
~~$2,979,586~~
~~Michigan~~
~~$2,863,914~~
~~$2,996,243~~
~~$1,049,951~~
~~$4,046,194~~
~~Minnesota~~
~~$1,858,695~~
~~$1,945,124~~
~~$589,387~~
~~$2,534,511~~
~~Mississippi~~
~~$1,281,508~~
~~$1,315,938~~
~~$313,699~~
~~$1,629,637~~
~~Missouri~~
~~$1,989,365~~
~~$2,068,647~~
~~$643,510~~
~~$2,712,157~~
~~Montana~~
~~$837,722~~
~~$854,658~~
~~$111,582~~
~~$966,240~~
~~Nebraska~~
~~$1,034,873~~
~~$1,062,488~~
~~$202,646~~
~~$1,265,134~~
~~Nevada~~
~~$1,270,411~~
~~$1,327,411~~
~~$318,726~~
~~$1,646,137~~
~~New Hampshire~~
~~$904,368~~
~~$925,173~~
~~$142,480~~
~~$1,067,653~~
~~New Jersey~~
~~$2,639,575~~
~~$2,735,570~~
~~$935,733~~
~~$3,671,303~~
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~~Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding~~

~~FY2020~~
~~FY2020 Total~~
~~FY2019~~
~~FY2020 Annual~~
~~Supplemental~~
~~(Annual +~~
~~State/Territory~~
~~Final~~
~~Appropriations~~
~~Appropriations~~
~~Supplemental)~~
~~New Mexico~~
~~$1,074,526~~
~~$1,102,321~~
~~$220,100~~
~~$1,322,421~~
~~New York~~
~~$5,102,446~~
~~$5,284,701~~
~~$2,052,674~~
~~$7,337,375~~
~~North Carolina~~
~~$2,913,735~~
~~$3,089,184~~
~~$1,090,675~~
~~$4,179,859~~
~~North Dakota~~
~~$772,833~~
~~$782,207~~
~~$79,837~~
~~$862,044~~
~~Ohio~~
~~$3,248,383~~
~~$3,402,219~~
~~$1,227,836~~
~~$4,630,055~~
~~Oklahoma~~
~~$1,494,675~~
~~$1,545,244~~
~~$414,173~~
~~$1,959,417~~
~~Oregon~~
~~$1,533,418~~
~~$1,604,607~~
~~$440,184~~
~~$2,044,791~~
~~Pennsylvania~~
~~$3,515,141~~
~~$3,670,137~~
~~$1,345,228~~
~~$5,015,365~~
~~Rhode Island~~
~~$840,893~~
~~$853,462~~
~~$111,058~~
~~$964,520~~
~~South Carolina~~
~~$1,731,266~~
~~$1,818,778~~
~~$534,027~~
~~$2,352,805~~
~~South Dakota~~
~~$797,346~~
~~$811,491~~
~~$92,668~~
~~$904,159~~
~~Tennessee~~
~~$2,116,648~~
~~$2,222,922~~
~~$711,108~~
~~$2,934,030~~
~~Texas~~
~~$6,953,406~~
~~$7,480,470~~
~~$3,014,784~~
~~$10,495,254~~
~~Utah~~
~~$1,295,758~~
~~$1,357,787~~
~~$332,036~~
~~$1,689,823~~
~~Vermont~~
~~$742,424~~
~~$750,138~~
~~$65,785~~
~~$815,923~~
~~Virginia~~
~~$2,518,114~~
~~$2,641,878~~
~~$894,681~~
~~$3,536,559~~
~~Washington~~
~~$2,261,856~~
~~$2,406,448~~
~~$791,523~~
~~$3,197,971~~
~~West Virginia~~
~~$1,017,540~~
~~$1,032,898~~
~~$189,681~~
~~$1,222,579~~
~~Wisconsin~~
~~$1,917,698~~
~~$1,993,641~~
~~$610,646~~
~~$2,604,287~~
~~Wyoming~~
~~$733,510~~
~~$738,498~~
~~$60,685~~
~~$799,183~~
~~Subtotal, States~~
~~$104,281,592~~
~~$109,029,299~~
~~$34,365,012~~
~~$143,394,311~~
~~American Samoa~~
~~$132,738~~
~~$138,688~~
~~$43,594~~
~~$182,282~~
~~Guam~~
~~$132,738~~
~~$138,688~~
~~$43,594~~
~~$182,282~~
~~Northern Mariana~~
~~$132,738~~
~~$138,688~~
~~$43,594~~
~~$182,282~~
~~Islands~~
~~Puerto Rico~~
~~$1,377,868~~
~~$1,365,949~~
~~$335,612~~
~~$1,701,561~~
~~Virgin Islands~~
~~$132,738~~
~~$138,688~~
~~$43,594~~
~~$182,282~~
~~Subtotal,~~
~~$1,908,820~~
~~$1,920,701~~
~~$509,988~~
~~$2,430,689~~
~~Territories~~
~~Total~~
~~$106,190,412~~
~~$110,950,000~~
~~$34,875,000~~
~~$145,825,000~~
~~States/Territories~~
Source: Congressional Research Service (CRS), based on data provided by HHS, ACF in September 2020; and
~~HHS, ACF, FYSB, “FVPSA FY2020 Family Violence Prevention and Services State and Territory Grant Awards,”~~
~~August 18, 2020, https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/resource/fvpsa-fy2020-fvps-state-and-territory-grant-awards, and~~
~~HHS, ACF, FYSB, “FY 2020 CARES Act FVPSA Supplemental Awards for States,” May 26, 2020,~~
~~https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/resource/fy2020-cares-act-fvpsa-supplemental-awards-for-states. FY2020 annual~~
~~appropriations were provided by the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (P.L. 116-94); FY2020~~
~~supplemental appropriations were provided by the CARES Act (P.L. 116-136).~~
Notes: Table does not include funding for other activities supported under the appropriation for domestic
~~violence shelters, victim services, and program support, such as state domestic violence coalitions.~~
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~~Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding~~

~~Author Information~~

~~Adrienne L. Fernandes-Alcantara~~
~~Kara Clifford Billings~~
~~Specialist in Social Policy~~
~~Analyst in Social Policy~~

~~Acknowledgments~~
FVPSA Funding FY1986-FY2022 Table C-1. Actual Funding for FVPSA Activities, FY1986-FY2022 Shelters, Victim National Services, and Domestic Program Violence Support Hotline DELTA Total FY1986a $8,393,000 N/A N/A $8,393,000 FY1987 $8,500,000 N/A N/A $8,500,000 FY1988 $8,138,000 N/A N/A $8,138,000 FY1989 $8,219,000 N/A N/A $8,219,000 FY1990 $8,273,000 N/A N/A $8,273,000 FY1991 $10,734,859 N/A N/A $10,734,859 FY1992 $20,000,000 N/A N/A $20,000,000 FY1993 $24,678,619 N/A N/A $24,678,619 FY1994 $27,679,000 N/A N/A $27,679,000 FY1995 $32,645,000 $1,000,000 N/A $33,645,000 FY1996 $47,642,500 $400,000 N/A $48,042,500 FY1997 $72,800,000 $400,000 N/A $73,200,000 FY1998 $86,642,206 $1,200,000 N/A $87,842,206 FY1999 $88,778,000 $1,200,000 $5,998,000 $95,976,000 FY2000 $101,118,000 $1,957,000 $5,866,000 $108,941,000 FY2001 $116,899,000 $2,157,000 $5,866,000 $124,922,000 FY2002 $124,459,000 $2,157,000 $5,866,000 $132,482,000 FY2003 $124,459,000 $2,157,000 $5,828,000 $132,444,000 FY2004 $125,648,000 $2,982,000 $5,303,000 $133,933,000 FY2005 $125,630,000 $3,224,000 $5,258,000 $134,112,000 FY2006 $124,643,000 $2,970,000 $5,181,000 $132,794,000 FY2007 $124,731,000 $2,970,000 $5,110,000 $132,811,000 FY2008 $122,552,000 $2,918,000 $5,021,000 $130,491,000 FY2009 $127,776,000 $3,209,000 $5,511,000 $136,496,000 FY2010b $130,052,000 $3,209,000 $5,525,000 $138,786,000 FY2011 $129,792,000 $3,202,000 $5,423,000 $138,417,000 FY2012 $129,547,000 $3,197,000 $5,411,000 $138,155,000 FY2013 $121,225,000 $2,992,000 $5,350,000 $129,552,000 FY2014 $133,521,000 $4,500,000 $5,414,000 $143,221,000 FY2015 $135,000,000 $4,500,000 $5,414,000 $144,914,000 FY2016c $150,000,000 $8,250,000 $5,500,000 $163,750,000 FY2017c $150,517,702 $8,223,479 $5,487,000 $164,210,518 Congressional Research Service 34 link to page 39 link to page 39 link to page 39 link to page 39 link to page 39 link to page 39 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding Shelters, Victim National Services, and Domestic Program Violence Support Hotline DELTA Total FY2018c $158,398,811 $9,250,000 $5,500,000 $173,148,811 FY2019c $163,914,699 $10,250,000 $5,481,000 $179,645,699 FY2020c,d $219,985,157 $14,000,000 $7,100,000 $241,085,157 FY2021c,e $380,500,000 $15,000,000 $5,483,000 $400,983,000 FY2022 $198,000,000 $15,500,000 $5,500,000 $219,000,000 Source: HHS, ACF and HHS, CDC Justification of Estimates for Appropriations Committees and Operating Plans and CRS correspondence with HHS, ACF and HHS, CDC. Notes: Budget authority after sequestration and transfers. N/A means not applicable. a. Fol owing the authorization of FVPSA in the Child Abuse Amendments of 1984 (P.L. 98-457), $6 mil ion was appropriated for FVPSA in FY1985, available for two years. Grants were first awarded in FY1986. (HHS, ACF, Justification of Estimates for Appropriations Committees: FY1990). b. FY2010 shelter, services, and support includes funds set aside for a grant program, Expanding Services for Children and Youth Exposed to Domestic Violence, per a requirement that “a portion of the excess” (of funds for shelters, victim services, and program support) above $130 mil ion was to be reserved for projects to address the needs of children who witness domestic violence. c. Includes funding reserved for specialized services for abused parents and their children. Per statute, HHS is required to use at least 25% of excess funds for specialized services when shelter, services, and support appropriations are above $130 mil ion. d. FY2020 includes $45 mil ion for shelters, services, and support and $2 mil ion for the hotline provided 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 mil ion of such funds for DELTA grants, which is included in the DELTA total. e. FY2021 includes $198 mil ion for shelter, services, and support and $2 mil ion for the hotline provided by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA; P.L. 117-2). It does not include $250 mil ion in ARPA funding for temporary grant programs to meet the emergency needs of survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. Congressional Research Service 35 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding Appendix D. FVPSA Funding for State and Territory Formula Grants, FY2021 Table D-1. FVPSA Formula Grant Funding for Shelter and Supportive Services for States and Territories, FY2021 State/Territory Annual Funding ARPA Total Alabama $1,829,565 $1,725,910 $3,555,475 Alaska $783,449 $257,502 $1,040,951 Arizona $2,425,274 $2,562,092 $4,987,366 Arkansas $1,356,771 $1,062,260 $2,419,031 California $10,508,427 $13,908,214 $24,416,641 Colorado $2,044,111 $2,027,062 $4,071,173 Connecticut $1,494,062 $1,254,973 $2,749,035 Delaware $844,189 $342,763 $1,186,952 District of Columbia $776,980 $248,422 $1,025,402 Florida $5,985,943 $7,560,115 $13,546,058 Georgia $3,262,517 $3,737,309 $6,999,826 Hawaii $955,056 $498,384 $1,453,440 Idaho $1,048,140 $629,043 $1,677,183 Il inois $3,777,696 $4,460,453 $8,238,149 Indiana $2,288,230 $2,369,726 $4,657,956 Iowa $1,391,193 $1,110,578 $2,501,771 Kansas $1,330,568 $1,025,480 $2,356,048 Kentucky $1,720,352 $1,572,611 $3,292,963 Louisiana $1,765,772 $1,636,365 $3,402,137 Maine $937,086 $473,160 $1,410,246 Maryland $2,116,067 $2,128,066 $4,244,133 Massachusetts $2,328,424 $2,426,146 $4,754,570 Michigan $3,104,391 $3,515,351 $6,619,742 Minnesota $2,014,243 $1,985,138 $3,999,381 Mississippi $1,346,325 $1,047,598 $2,393,923 Missouri $2,139,075 $2,160,361 $4,299,436 Montana $868,016 $376,207 $1,244,223 Nebraska $1,085,089 $680,907 $1,765,996 Nevada $1,372,407 $1,084,208 $2,456,615 New Hampshire $940,973 $478,615 $1,419,588 New Jersey $2,827,375 $3,126,511 $5,953,886 New Mexico $1,125,819 $738,079 $1,863,898 Congressional Research Service 36 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding State/Territory Annual Funding ARPA Total New York $5,478,343 $6,847,610 $12,325,953 North Carolina $3,230,083 $3,691,782 $6,921,865 North Dakota $791,101 $268,244 $1,059,345 Ohio $3,531,260 $4,114,537 $7,645,797 Oklahoma $1,592,284 $1,392,845 $2,985,129 Oregon $1,657,676 $1,484,634 $3,142,310 Pennsylvania $3,810,338 $4,506,271 $8,316,609 Rhode Island $865,655 $372,893 $1,238,548 South Carolina $1,891,136 $1,812,336 $3,703,472 South Dakota $821,845 $311,398 $1,133,243 Tennessee $2,312,543 $2,403,854 $4,716,397 Texas $7,871,258 $10,206,485 $18,077,743 Utah $1,403,954 $1,128,490 $2,532,444 Vermont $756,477 $219,643 $976,120 Virginia $2,740,441 $3,004,484 $5,744,925 Washington $2,509,577 $2,680,425 $5,190,002 West Virginia $1,049,414 $630,832 $1,680,246 Wisconsin $2,060,084 $2,049,484 $4,109,568 Wyoming $745,132 $203,719 $948,851 Subtotal, States $112,912,186 $115,539,575 $228,451,761 Puerto Rico $1,400,878 $1,124,173 $2,525,051 Guam $143,609 $146,563 $290,172 American Samoa $143,609 $146,563 $290,172 Virgin Islands $143,609 $146,563 $290,172 Northern Mariana Islands $143,609 $146,563 $290,172 Subtotal, Territories $1,975,314 $1,710,425 $3,685,739 Total $114,887,500 $117,250,000 $232,137,500 Source: HHS, ACF, FYSB, “FY 2021 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act: States and Territories: Grant Awards Table,” https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fysb/fy-2021-fvpsa-states-and-territories-grant-awards-table.pdf; and HHS, ACF, FYSB, “FY 2021 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act: American Rescue Plan (ARP): Supplemental Funding for FVPSA Formula Grantees,” https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fysb/FY2021-ACF-FYSB-FVPSA-ARP-Supplemental-Funding-States_1.pdf. Notes: FY2021 annual appropriations were provided by the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116-260); additional appropriations were provided by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA; P.L. 117-2). Table does not include grants that states and territories received for new grant programs under ARPA to support the needs of sexual assault survivors and culturally specific populations emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic. Congressional Research Service 37 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Background and Funding Author Information Kara Clifford Billings Analyst in Social Policy Acknowledgments This report was originally authored by Adrienne Fernandes-Alcantara, former CRS Specialist in Social Policy. Mari Lee, Visual Information Specialist, and Jamie Hutchinson, Visual Information Specialist, assisted Mari Lee, Visual Information Specialist, and Jamie Hutchinson, Visual Information Specialist, assisted
with the graphics presented in this report. with the graphics presented in this report.

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