Federal funding cuts threaten help for NYC domestic violence survivors

"Federal funding cuts under President Donald Trump's administration are putting domestic violence survivor services at risk across New York City, particularly for nonprofits that provide culturally specific, trauma-informed care to immigrant and marginalized communities. Advocates and service providers warn that the cuts could lead to reduced counseling services, longer wait lists, and fewer safe options for survivors - outcomes that public health experts say will have lasting consequences for physical and mental health."

"Last February, the North Brooklyn Coalition Against Family Violence, an organization that serves survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault within Latinx, immigrant, and LGBTQ+ communities, applied for federal funding as it has every year since the organization was founded in 1998. However, the grant language had changed in ways that felt exclusionary and potentially dangerous for clients, said Leana Pardo, the coalition's executive director."

"The Trump administration has argued that certain Department of Justice grant programs have funded initiatives tied to diversity, equity, and inclusion, feminist organizing, and what it characterizes as "cultural Marxism." The administration has characterized these programs as progressive initiatives rather than ones focused on combating crime and protecting U.S. citizens. Those priorities have translated into cuts and revised guidelines affecting programs funded under the Violence Against Women Act, a critical resource for survivors of domestic violence."

Federal funding cuts under President Donald Trump's administration are reducing support for domestic violence survivor services across New York City, with particular impact on nonprofits that provide culturally specific, trauma-informed care to immigrant and marginalized communities. The cuts and revised grant guidelines linked to critiques of diversity and inclusion have led to application barriers and concerns about exclusionary language. Consequences include reduced counseling, longer wait lists, and fewer safe options for survivors, which public health experts link to lasting physical and mental health harms. One Brooklyn coalition reported changed grant language that felt exclusionary and potentially dangerous for clients reliant on native-language services.

Read at Brooklyn Eagle