EMAIL your Members of Congress

Use our email template below to craft your personalized message to Congress. Many members of Congress have staff who will respond to your email to verify its receipt, and most emails are directly replied to by your congressional leaders. 

#FundSafetyNow Day of Action Email Template 

Dear [Rep. xxxx /Sen. xxxx], 

I am writing to make sure [Rep. xxxx /Sen. xxxx] understands the importance of federal funding for domestic violence programs granted to states and communities through the Violence Against Women Act, the Victims of Crime Act, the HHS Office on Family Violence Prevention and Services, and the DOJ Office of Violence Against Women. The current government shutdown concerns me about the future of domestic violence services in Kentucky. 

In Kentucky, ZeroV and its 15 member programs rely on nearly $20.2 million in federal funding to provide lifesaving services to survivors of domestic violence and their children. Federal funding accounts for more than 40% of the programs' combined budgets, and it supports every domestic violence service our coalition provides, including crisis lines, emergency shelter, safety planning, court advocacy, housing assistance, food assistance, and more. This funding saves lives.

[If you're comfortable, briefly share how you have seen or experienced the impact of domestic violence services in your community].

Kentucky's coalition of domestic violence programs not only supports the safety of survivors and their children but also the safety of the public at large. One study found that nearly 20% of intimate partner violence-related homicides are corollary victims, such as family, friends, neighbors, people who intervene in IPV, law enforcement responders, and bystanders. There is also a known connection between domestic violence and mass shootings. One analysis found that in 46% of shootings in which four or more people are shot, wounded, or killed, the perpetrator shot a current or former partner or family member. When we work to keep survivors safe from domestic violence, we’re also working to keep entire communities safe from violence. 

I am urging you and the Administration to find a bipartisan solution to reopen the federal government that protects funding for survivor services and prevention, ensures survivors have access to affordable health care, and protects the appropriations authority of Congress so that funding isn’t impacted by rescissions.

Rape crisis centers and domestic violence shelters depend on federal funding to keep their doors open and provide lifesaving services to survivors. Survivors need access to both services and health care to heal and find safety. Please protect federal funding for domestic violence and sexual assault prevention and services, and keep health care affordable and accessible. 

I would welcome a meeting with you or a member of your staff to discuss this further.  

Sincerely, 

[Your Name]