RALIANCE policy director Terri Poore issued the following statement regarding the prolonged government shutdown, which has now lasted for nearly three weeks:
RALIANCE calls for an immediate end to the government shutdown, which is putting the needs of survivors of sexual assault at risk.
“Rape crisis centers rely on federal funding through the Department of Justice to keep their doors open and pay their advocates, thousands of whom would face the prospect of losing their jobs without this important funding. A prolonged shutdown imperils these programs and others that provide lifesaving services in their communities.
“In the wake of the #MeToo movement, demand for sexual assault services has skyrocketed, as a result of increased national attention on the issue of sexual assault. Even before the shutdown, over half of programs already had a waiting list for counseling services, and every day the government remains closed, increases the danger that survivors won’t be able to access the services they need.
“#MeToo has made abundantly clear that survivors of sexual violence deserve to be taken seriously, not used as a bargaining chip. Congress must act now to end the shutdown and the president must sign a budget. Survivors’ lives depend on it.”