The first step in the appropriations process involves Members of Congress circulating “Dear Colleague” letters asking their fellow Members to support certain funding priorities. Representatives Moore (D-WI), Schakowsky (D-IL), and Conyers (D-MI) have just circulated a letter in support of funding for VAWA and other programs that provide services for victims, and other Representatives now have an opportunity to sign on to that letter. Now is a critical time to make your voices heard – tell Congress to stand with victims and provide needed funding for VAWA’s programs that work every day to serve victims.

Representative  Jim Costa (D-CA) is  circulating a letter urging his colleagues to support raising the VOCA cap for FY2014 to no less than $1 billion.

You can also express your support for other important funding streams such as the Community Development Block Grant!

• It is estimated that 19,000 incidents of rape and sexual assault occur annually
• fewer than 13% reported
• 47% afraid to report because justice is unlikely
• Fear of reprisals including failure to promote
• Fewer than 1 in 100 incidents addressed
• 2,439 reports in 2011; 240 proceeded to trial (fewer than 10% of those reported);
• 56% of estimated 19,000 victims are male; prevention services aimed at females; men invisible as survivors
• 44% are women but women constitute only 15% of entire military
• Sexual assault is primary cause of PTSD among women; significant cause of suicides, depression,      homelessness
• 1 in 3 of those convicted remain in the military

The YWCA USA will be looking at legislation regarding military sexual assault in coming months and making recommendations to endorse with local association input.

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