Reports of domestic violence have increased during coronavirus pandemic
Klobuchar has been leading push to secure additional funding for organizations helping domestic violence victims during crisis
WASHINGTON— Today, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar announced that organizations in Minnesota will receive $669,744 in Family Violence Prevention Services Funds for temporary housing, counseling, and other supportive services to victims of family, domestic, and dating violence in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act also includes $1,500,000 for the National Domestic Violence Hotline, and $500,000 for the StrongHearts Native Helpline located in Eagan, Minnesota.
“As many Americans are staying home in the midst of this pandemic, reports of domestic violence have increased. We must do everything we can to support victims and survivors during this crisis, and this funding will help provide critical services to meet urgent needs across our state.” Klobuchar said. “I will continue to work to make sure that victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence have access to the shelter and support services they need during this difficult and uncertain time.”
Klobuchar has been a leader in securing support for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault during the coronavirus pandemic.
In April, Klobuchar and Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Bob Casey (D-PA) led a bipartisan group of 38 colleagues requesting that any future legislation to address COVID-19 includes support for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. The senators expressed concern that service providers are reporting that abusers are using COVID-19 to isolate their victims, withhold financial resources, and refuse medical aid; rape crisis centers are seeing increased need for services; and many local law enforcement agencies are receiving an increased number of domestic violence-related calls.
In March, Klobuchar, Murkowski, and Casey led their colleagues in a letter, expressing concern for the wellbeing of families who face an increased risk of domestic violence during the outbreak of the novel coronavirus and urged the Administration to ensure service providers have the flexibility and resources to help victims of domestic violence.
Klobuchar also led a letter in April with Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined by a group of 12 colleagues urging the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to ensure that immigrant victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other serious crimes can continue to access programs during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic through which they can obtain legal status independent of abusers and perpetrators.
Klobuchar also joined Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) in a group of 22 Democratic senators in sending a letter to Senate leaders, asking that future legislation to address the coronavirus pandemic also include resources to meet domestic and sexual violence victime’s urgent housing needs, which have been exacerbated by stay-at-home orders, social distancing, and the ongoing economic upheaval caused by COVID-19.
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