House Appropriations Committee Advances New Federal Funding to Support Survivors of Domestic Violence in the South Sound

06.30.22

Washington, DC - Today, the House Appropriations Committee advanced new funding that has been championed by U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) to support the expansion of the YWCA of Pierce County's Therapeutic Interventions for Survivors of Domestic Violence Project. This program provides critical support services to survivors of domestic violence and their children in the South Sound.

"It's vital that we continue to support survivors of domestic violence. That's why I'm glad that today the House Appropriations Committee advanced federal funding that I've been advocating for to support the YWCA of Pierce County and expand the critical support services that their incredible team provides to survivors and their children," said Rep. Kilmer. "By adding new staff and client support services, the YWCA will be able to expand their programming and serve more people across our region. I'll keep pushing to get this funding signed into law."

"We are so thankful for the support and partnership of Congressman Derek Kilmer and his work to help us secure federal funding for our Therapeutic Services department. These funds will ensure that we can continue and expand free, accessible, quality care to survivors of domestic violence and their children in our community through counseling, age-appropriate curriculum, and therapeutic arts. These services support the recovery, healing, and long-term thriving that every person deserves." - Karin White, Deputy Director of YWCA Pierce County.

Domestic violence is a major safety and equity concern in the City of Tacoma and the South Sound. According to a 2018 Tacoma Domestic Violence Needs Assessment, since 2005, the rate of domestic violence offenses reported to the Tacoma Police Department has been an average of 200 percent higher than the average rate for Washington state. Regional experts contend that domestic violence's long-lasting effects on survivors are a direct imminent threat to public safety and greatly impacts underserved populations.

The programs in the YWCA's Therapeutic Services department provide comprehensive support to survivors of domestic violence and their children. These Therapeutic Services aim to immediately reduce the experience of violence in people's lives through access to non-violent, trusting relationships with staff and peers and to safe and predictable environments and experiences. Studies have shown that domestic violence support services have an overall positive impact on various factors predictive of well-being. These studies suggest that the cycle of violence impacts an individual's ability to thrive as a member of their community. By providing specialized support for survivors, the YWCA seeks to support survivors as they rebuild their lives and regain independence.

According to the Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, we know that although domestic violence occurs within in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups, there are specific barriers that communities of color face when attempting to access services. By providing a holistic suite of free services in one location, the YWCA attempts to mitigate some of the barriers that these communities face.

The community project funding seeks to shore up the sustainability of existing positions and support the creation of additional staff positions within the Therapeutic Services department. New staff positions aim to contribute to smaller staff to client ratios and reduce the likelihood of burnout in current staff members by distributing workloads in a more sustainable manner.

Rep. Kilmer led the effort to secure funding for the project through the House Appropriations Committee's Community Project Funding process. The project is supported by Dr. Rachel Hughes, currently the Director of Clinical Training for the Couple and Family Therapy program at Antioch University - Seattle; A Window Between Worlds; and Carolyn Ratley, Licensed Marriage and Family therapist in Pierce County.

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