Stop Proposed Cuts To The Violence Against Women Grant Programs!

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President Trump's plan to effectively kill the grant programs managed by the Office of Violence Against Women is part of his overarching proposal to reduce the federal budget. But the savings are minuscule compared to the vast number of lives that would be impacted negatively by this cut.

The OVW is responsible for overseeing 25 grant programs established by the Violence Against Women Act in 1994. \[1\] Funding is provided at the federal level and serves a variety of purposes. It offers victims of abuse valuable support programs and counseling; goes toward the prevention of heinous acts like rape, homicide, physical and emotional abuse, and stalking; and provides awareness training for law enforcement. These grants are crucial for survivors of assault and abuse, including children, the elderly, and rural women, and are awarded to local, state, and tribal governments, as well as nonprofits, schools, community organizations, and more. \[2\] Millions of American women depend on these services.

**President Trump wants to eliminate this lifeline.**

The Trump administration has lofted a proposal to cut the federal budget by $10.5 trillion over the span of 10 years \[3\]. That's all well and good, but cutting the grants administered by the OVW — which utilizes a budget of $480 million and comprises less than .001% of the proposed monetary cuts — wouldn't even make a scratch in the federal deficit. The cost of OVW to American taxpayers? A measly $1.48 per year. \[4\]

When looking at all of President Trump's other proposed cuts, it's evident that his agenda is to remove the divisions that support our most vulnerable populations, like those that aid the poor, protect the environment, protect civil rights, and oversee law enforcement, to name a few. \[4\]

**This is unacceptable.**

The grants that the OVW uses are small but powerful. Domestic violence, sexual assault, and dating violence are very real issues faced by all American women. Cuts to the OVW will not help American women live better or safer lives. **Tell President Trump not to compromise the safety of American women under the guise of "balancing the budget!"**