Schatz Secures $367,000 Earmark To Support Domestic Violence Action Center, Help Survivors Get Assistance
Funding Part of $240 Million In Earmarks Secured By Schatz
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) secured $367,000 in congressionally directed spending, also known as an earmark, in this year’s appropriations bill for the Domestic Violence Action Center (DVAC). The funds will be used to support its Immigrant Triad Program, which provides legal and advocacy services for immigrant or limited English proficiency survivors of family violence and their children.
“This new earmark funding will help expand services for victims in Hawai‘i, so that immigrant survivors of domestic violence have access to the appropriate language, legal, and advocacy assistance they need to feel safe and supported,” said Senator Schatz, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
“Immigrant survivors of family violence experience particularly challenging circumstances. They need assistance getting safe and support. DVAC has a program designed to assist immigrants navigate this journey,” said Nanci Kreidman, CEO of the Domestic Violence Action Center.
The Domestic Violence Action Center is a non-profit organization that provides legal information and representation to victims of domestic violence. Its work involves raising public awareness, community building, outreach to immigrant and ethnic communities as well as cis, trans, non-conforming, and non-binary survivors. The center’s services include a legal helpline, legal representation in court, advocacy for clients, and community education.
The new congressionally directed funding in this year’s appropriations bill marks the first year members of Congress were able to make earmark requests since they were banned in 2011. Schatz secured more than $240 million in federal earmarks for local nonprofits and state and local agencies.
The bill was signed into law by the president on March 15, 2022.
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