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Domestic Violence

Statistics

All the following statistics are from June to June.

Calls to state DV hotline 1-800- 562-6025:

1998-1999 - 37,305
1999-2000 - 27,931
2000-2001 - 27, 994
2001-2002 - 27, 780
2002-2003 - 27, 378
2003-2004 - 28,858

Shelters

Total Adults & Children Sheltered:

1998-1999 - 6178
1999-2000 - 6,246
2000-2001 - 6,727
2001-2002 - 6,616
2002-2003 - 6,458
2003-2004 - 6,568
2004-2005 - 6,324

Bednights:

1998-1999 - 101,990
1999-2000 - 111,194
2000-2001 - 123,418
2001-2002 - 126,664
2002-2003 - 123,615
2003-2004 - 131,109
2004-2005 - 124,013

Average Length of Stay (days):

1998-1999 - 20.8
1999-2000 - 16
2000-2001 - 14.8
2001-2002 - 16.5
2002-2003 - 17.23
2003-2004 - 16.48
2004-2005 - 17.36

Total Turned Away at Shelters:

1998-1999 - 23,806
1999-2000 - 25,944
2000-2001 - 32,957
2001-2002 - 34,713
2002-2003 - 34,835
2003-2004 - 30,832
2004-2005 - 34,824

Services

Total Served:

1998-1999 - 23,549
1999-2000 - 23,737
2000-2001 - 25,031
2001-2002 - 24,574
2002-2003 - 23,051
2003-2004 - 25,279
2004-2005 - 21,929

Adults:

1998-1999 - 15,226
1999-2000 - 15,228
2000-2001 - 15,175
2001-2002 - 15,811
2002-2003 - 14,443
2003-2004 - 15,360
2004-2005 - 13,233

Children:

1998-1999 - 8,303
1999-2000 - 8,509
2000-2001 - 9,856
2001-2002 - 8,763
2002-2003 - 8,608
2003-2004 - 9,919
2004-2005 - 8,696

Provided by Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence)

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Priorities

Ensure funding for the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)

In 2005, Senator Murray fought hard to reauthorize and strengthen VAWA. This reauthorization, signed into law in early 2006, contains many new protections for victims of domestic violence. She’s continuing to fight to ensure funding for programs that serve victims of domestic violence in the appropriations process.

Pass the Security and Financial Empowerment (SAFE) Act, S. 1796

VAWA has been effective at addressing the immediate needs of domestic violence victims. Senator Murray recognizes that financial insecurity and other long-term economic factors can trap victims in abusive relationships.

That is why Senator Murray helped write and is fighting to pass the Security and Financial Empowerment (SAFE) Act, S. 1796, formerly known as VESSA. She worked on this issue for over ten years to help give victims the economic freedom to escape abusive relationships. The House companion bill is H.R. 3185.

Senator Murray’s Statement on the SAFE Act

The SAFE Act will ensure economic empowerment for victims of domestic violence by:

  • Allowing victims to take up to 30 days of emergency leave to deal with the effects of domestic violence. This includes time off to get a restraining order, seek medical care, meet with counselors, or secure safe housing.

  • Ensuring eligibility for unemployment compensation to victims who lose their jobs due to circumstances directly relating to domestic violence.

  • Prohibiting insurance companies from discriminating against victims of domestic violence.

  • Strengthening the Family Violence Option in the TANF program, which allows state to screen for domestic violence in some of the most economically vulnerable populations.

Protect Victims Who Receive Public Assistance

As many as 60 percent of women on welfare have been subjected to domestic violence. Senator Murray recognizes the special challenges facing these victims of violence, and her SAFE Act includes a provision that would strengthen the Family Violence Option in the TANF program.

Pass the Family Medical Leave Expansion Act (S. 282)

Introduced by Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), this legislation would expand the Family and Medical Leave Act to cover FMLA leave for victims of domestic violence. Senator Murray is a cosponsor of this bill.