As the Steering Committee of the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (NTF), comprised of national leadership organizations advocating on behalf of victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, we represent hundreds of organizations across the country dedicated to ensuring all survivors of violence receive the protections they deserve. Under the current budget proposal, survivors would be endangered in two ways - the likely reduction in funding for domestic violence and sexual assault programs, and the unsustainable cuts to safety net programs upon which survivors rely. For this reason, we do not support the passage of S. Con. Res. 25, and we urge you to reject the Senate Budget proposal, and fully invest in non-defense discretionary funding (NDD) and entitlement programs. 

NDD funding has been drastically reduced over the past several years, undermining programs that serve some of the country's most vulnerable populations. NDD funding provides money for important programs that support victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. Additionally, it funds job training, education, nutrition, housing, public services, and more. The Senate budget plan would reduce NDD funding by $800 billion over the next decade.

From the National Hispanic Medical Association:

"Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and the devastating earthquake in Mexico have caused catastrophic damage to both regions and has put lives in danger. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those impacted by the worst storm in 50 years to hit Puerto Rico and one of the hardest earthquakes to strike Mexico. As an organization based on helping the Hispanic community, we ask that our members look at some of the following ways to help the victims of these tragedies. We at the NHMA feel that supporting the families, physicians and healthcare systems in Mexico and Puerto Rico is crucial during this difficult time. NHMA is exploring options for physicians in the mainland US to volunteer in Puerto Rico and/or Mexico. If you have information that can help with this effort, please let us know either by emailing Imani Cabassa at  icabassa@nhmamd.org or by calling us at 202-629-5895."

The Women's Refugee Commission (WRC) released its report on the detention of women seeking asylum in the U.S., titled "Prison For Survivors," in response to the fundamental and nearly unprecedented transformation of the immigration detention system.

Alarmed by the increase in the detention of women seeking asylum, WRC sought to document the conditions of detention, treatment, and obstacles to a fair asylum process that women in detention face by visiting seven detention facilities in Texas, California, Arizona, and New Mexico. In 2016 and 2017, WRC spoke with numerous local service providers and advocates, analyzed government data, and interviewed approximately 150 women who were in need of protection but were instead detained, many for months.

The Center is assembling the infrastructure for the network to become fully operational later this year and will continue to expand its network with the goal of attorneys participating in every state. If you are an attorney interested in taking part in this network, please fill out your information at http://www.nwlc.org/legalnetworksignup.