FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 24, 2025
Every day without a state budget endangers these relationships and leaves survivors in danger.
Harrisburg, PA — In light of the tragedy last week, the need for essential services in the Commonwealth – such as domestic violence services and law enforcement – is more important than ever.
But as one of only three states that has not passed a state budget this year, these services are in danger. Domestic violence programs around the state are in danger of not just laying off staff, but closing their doors for good.
“On behalf of the Greensburg Police Department, I strongly urge that stable funding for Blackburn Center and other victim service providers remain a priority,” said Charles Irvin, chief of police at the City of Greensburg Police Department. “Public safety depends not only on the work of police, but also on the partnerships we have with agencies that provide victims with the support they need to rebuild their lives.
A domestic violence event last week was one of the deadliest days for Pennsylvania law enforcement in the past century, according to The Associated Press. Nationwide, 37 law enforcement officers have been killed in the line of duty this year, the FBI reported.
“At a time when there’s high emotions, some hopelessness involved, the outcome is always going to be unpredictable,” said Patrick Yoes, national president of the Fraternal Order of Police, in an article by USA Today. “So for an officer, it is one of the most dangerous calls that we go to.”
The partnerships between law enforcement and domestic violence programs are so important. When a law enforcement officer is called out to a domestic situation, being able to refer them to a local program can make all of the difference for the victim.
“Support for victims of violence comes in many forms – emotional, mental, spiritual, and financial,” said Wayne County District Attorney A.G. Howell. “ Without the financial support, essential and necessary organizations like VIP [Victims’ Intervention Program] cannot, in turn, provide the relief, aid, and care to victims during very traumatic times.”
“Our goal is to change domestic violence victims into survivors, and that is done by programs, not law enforcement,” added Silver Spring Township Police Chief Chris Raubenstine during a PCADV and PCAR event at the Capitol building on Sept. 10.
Domestic violence programs and shelter are essential services, and it’s time that they are treated as such, as many of them depend on up to 85% in funding from the state budget in order to operate.
“A community that prioritizes strong, operational domestic violence response programs is a community that chooses safety, dignity, and hope over silence and fear,” said Washington County District Attorney Jason Walsh. “Protecting survivors and holding offenders accountable is not just an intervention—it’s an investment in the health and future of every family. In Washington County we are very fortunate to work with great partners at Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA who work tirelessly every day to help us reach this goal.”
On an average day, nearly 250 domestic violence victims and their children receive services in Pennsylvania. As we approach 90 days without a budget, nearly 20,000 victims have gone without well-rounded care and essential services.
We are in a crisis, and survivors deserve better. Victims of violence must be prioritized ahead of the politics playing out through budget negotiation. Without state funding, PCADV and its member programs have a limited capacity to work with law enforcement to ensure safety and security.
Do the right thing for survivors. Pass the budget.
About PCADV
The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV) is a statewide collaborative membership organization committed to ending intimate partner violence and all forms of violence and oppression.
Each year, we work with our 59 member programs across the state to provide free and confidential direct services to nearly 90,000 victims and survivors of domestic violence and their children in all 67 counties of the Commonwealth. Together, local programs and the statewide Coalition work in collaboration to deliver a continuum of services, support, and systems to help victims and survivors find safety, obtain justice, and build lives free of abuse.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please visit pcadv.org/find-help or call the national hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
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