Chantel Green
Jefferson City
Dear Editor:
It is time for Congress to stop ignoring the impact of COVID-19 on victims and survivors of sexual and domestic violence. None of the previous enacted supplemental appropriations packages have included funding for services for sexual violence, for culturally-specific organizations serving survivors in communities of color, or for tribal governments to provide victim services. This is at a time when, due to COVID-19, domestic violence is increasing and survivors of sexual assault are being re-traumatized and have significantly more complex needs.
Sexual and domestic violence organizations need more resources in order to be able to help the survivors who walk through their doors, particularly as the cost of providing services increase and donations decrease due to the economic turndown. I call on U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, Gov. Mike Parson and U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt to be champions for provisions in the next COVID-19 package to provide dedicated funding for culturally-specific organizations, provide supplemental funding for the Sexual Assault Services Program, increase deposits into the Crime Victims Fund, fund tribal victim services, ensure safety for immigrant survivors, and make survivors eligible for unemployment insurance if they leave their jobs due to violence.
Thank you on behalf of the thousands of women affected by domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking.