Keeping women safe and free from violence has always been a core issue for WOMEN’S WAY.  Violence prevention was identified as a critical community need by dozens of area nonprofit agencies at last year’s Women’s Issues Summit, translating into a priority issue area for WOMEN’S WAY.

While we continue to advocate for domestic violence services, we need your help.

State funding for domestic violence services is less today than it was in 2002, despite the dramatic rise in operating expenses. We’ve all seen our energy bills rise. Domestic violence agencies, especially those that maintain shelters for victims, have also had to contend with these rising costs.

This lack of funding increases is hurting agencies and ultimately the women and families they serve due to a lack of awareness and availability of services, often the difference between life and death. It is an outrage that 3,974 victims in Pennsylvania were TURNED AWAY last year because programs did not have the resources to serve them.

The budget proposed by the Governor and the House calls for a $1.5 million increase for domestic violence services. This represents a small (3%) cost-of-living adjustment and $1.2 million to sustain existing domestic violence services in all 67 counties in the Commonwealth. Reports from the Hill indicate that this $1.5 million increase is vulnerable and may not make it into the final budget without strong pressure and support from constituents.

Raise your voice! Tell your legislators and the Governor to KEEP the $1.5 million increase so that domestic violence survivors can get the services and support they need!

• Visit the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s (PCADV) website (www.pcadv.org) to take part in their postcard campaign to save this funding.

• Voice your opinion in person! Join PCADV for their lobby day at 11:00 a.m. on June 12 at the Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg. Call Nicole Lindemyer or Judy Yupcavage of PCADV at 800-932-4632 for more information.

Don’t let more women and families be turned away at such a critical time. Help us keep this crucial funding for domestic violence agencies in Pennsylvania.