Domestic Violence Prevention Funding Likely Unchanged In Budget

In both Gov. Eric Holcomb’s proposed budget and the version approved by the House Republican caucus, funding for domestic violence prevention and treatment programs remains unchanged from the previous state budget.

Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence Executive Director Laura Berry says that’s because her organization didn’t ask lawmakers for a funding increase.

“When they graciously doubled our funding two years ago, we said we’re not going to ask again, basically,” Berry says.

Berry cautions, however, that if federal funding is decreased or eliminated, that will change the conversation.

“If that, in fact, happens, in two years we’re going to have to come back and maybe make an ask,” Berry says. “But right now, what the state is giving us – $6 million – we’ve adequately been able to give our domestic violence [prevention services] an increase.”

Berry says she’s watching closely for the unveiling of President Trump’s budget proposal.