Domestic violence was highlighted recently as the world watched the prerecorded video of Ray Rice, former Baltimore Ravens running back, commit assault against the woman who is now his wife, Janay Rice, in an elevator at the Revel Atlantic City Casino.
In a time of dire need for domestic violence assistance, there is much ongoing discussion of budget cuts to shelters in the state of Indiana.
Some Indianapolis organizations who offer resources to those affected by domestic violence state their funding has been slashed by over $1 million by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI). Two of the five shelters in Indianapolis said they have been harmed by the cuts, some whom experienced layoffs, although the ICJI denies it has reduced funding.
How it all began
An advocacy group for domestic violence victims, the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV), said the speculations of cuts had been formed since July of 2013. Laura Berry, executive director of the organization said 2013 was the first year the legislature appropriated in the budget an additional $740,426 to support domestic violence programs because of the need outlined.
“At that time the ICJI was not willing to give the money out until a study on the need and best place the money could be utilized was done,” she said. “We complied with this even though we thought the need had been already documented.”
Berry noted in Nov. 2013, ICJI internally did a study of the need in the community then gave a preliminary report to the Domestic Violence Prevention and Treatment Council (DVPT), an advisory committee of 13 governor-appointed members coordinated by the ICJI.
“We had to advocate for money and they finally agreed to put out special-project, one-time funding. We were then able to apply for the one-time funding to assist any safety issues and technology upgrades,” commented Berry.
Once the $740,426 was distributed, shelters were left with about $400,000 in the budget and that is what ICADV is accusing Governor Mike Pence’s office of reverting. According to the ICADV, there is a $100,000 cap on the amount a single domestic violence program can be awarded on an annual basis.
Kara Brooks, spokeswoman for the governor recently stated “It’s total fabrication that Gov. Pence is proposing or considering cuts to the domestic violence fund.”
In fact, the ICJI states there has been no budget cuts but there is an abundance of extra money available this year.
How shelters are responding
President and CEO of the Julian Center, Catherine O’Connor, said a grant awarded to the city of Indianapolis for the past six years was cut.
“We were forced to layoff a group of victim advocates,” she said.
The Julian Center is now seeking alternative funding. Most program services at the center are funded through grants. Demand has increased and is now over capacity.
Not only has the Julian Center voiced their concerns, Mark Sattler, director of counseling and addiction at Families First noted the organization receives a majority of their funds from the ICJI.
“We have been taking cuts for a number of years and to see that money disappear, we advocated,” said Sattler. “Grants that were optional are no longer options.”
Sattler said Families First and other organizations were given the opportunity to apply for additional funds. The domestic violence programs are to submit their budgets and plans on how the funds will be spent to the DVPT Council.
“The heart of it is that it’s essential to have people working in the field to help victims,” he said. “It’s very easy to see a big number and shave off money without seeing the real affect. We have to look at victims in the eye knowing we don’t have the funds to help them. It’s heartbreaking.”
What is happening with the ICJI
Throughout the allegations, the ICJI states they haven’t cut funding but have an extra $4 million to distribute. Currently 43 domestic violence shelters in Indiana receive funds from the ICJI. As of Sept. 22 domestic violence programs across the state received $740,426 in additional funds according to ICJI.
“At Gov. Pence’s direction, applications for these funds will be expedited so they can be made available to shelters as soon as possible,” said Mary Allen, ICJI’s executive director. “The total funding for domestic violence programs exceeds $4.2 million this year – which is $1.5 million more than in 2013.”
Gary Abell, communications director at ICJI, said shelters and programs were allocated the same amount of money as last year through ICJI recommendations and DVPT bridge funds.
“In June of 2014 bridge grants were discussed to carry programs over from July through Sept. 30 until they made proposals for additional funding,” said Abell.
According to DVPT’s budget spreadsheet provided by the ICJI, the amount awarded to shelters and programs for the 2013-2014 and the DVPT bridge funds equal the amount awarded for the 2014-2015 year.
Abell said it may appear as if funding was cut since bridge funds were given before the actual award amount, but they both equal the same amount given last year.
The DVPT Council met Oct. 7 to discuss all reports made by shelters and programs regarding how their extra funding will be spent. ICJI’s Victim Services Subcommittee met Oct. 9 in emergency session to review the DVPT’s recommendations. This is the final funding each organization will obtain for the year.
“It’s incredibly frustrating that they don’t want to give us the money we fought for and desperately need,” said Laura Berry of ICADV. “Our numbers have increased but our funding has went down. We need dollars to keep the doors open.”
At Recorder press time, it remained unclear how much money the domestic violence programs will receive.
