[House Hearing, 117 Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


                      ENDING THE CYCLE: EXAMINING
                   WAYS TO PREVENT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
                    AND PROMOTE HEALTHY COMMUNITIES

=======================================================================

                             JOINT HEARING

                               BEFORE THE

                            SUBCOMMITTEE ON
                            CIVIL RIGHTS AND
                             HUMAN SERVICES

                                   OF

                    COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND LABOR
                     U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                    ONE HUNDRED SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS

                             FIRST SESSION

                               __________

             HEARING HELD IN WASHINGTON, DC, MARCH 22, 2021

                               __________

                            Serial No. 117-4

                               __________

      Printed for the use of the Committee on Education and Labor

[GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]                                  

          Available via: edlabor.house.gov or www.govinfo.gov

                               __________


                    U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE                    
43-872 PDF                 WASHINGTON : 2022                     
          
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------                                  
                              

                    COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND LABOR

             ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT, Virginia, Chairman

RAUL M. GRIJALVA, Arizona            VIRGINIA FOXX, North Carolina,
JOE COURTNEY, Connecticut              Ranking Member
GREGORIO KILILI CAMACHO SABLAN,      JOE WILSON, South Carolina
  Northern Mariana Islands           GLENN THOMPSON, Pennsylvania
FREDERICA S. WILSON, Florida         TIM WALBERG, Michigan
SUZANNE BONAMICI, Oregon             GLENN GROTHMAN, Wisconsin
MARK TAKANO, California              ELISE M. STEFANIK, New York
ALMA S. ADAMS, North Carolina        RICK W. ALLEN, Georgia
MARK De SAULNIER, California         JIM BANKS, Indiana
DONALD NORCROSS, New Jersey          JAMES COMER, Kentucky
PRAMILA JAYAPAL, Washington          RUSS FULCHER, Idaho
JOSEPH D. MORELLE, New York          FRED KELLER, Pennsylvania
SUSAN WILD, Pennsylvania             GREGORY F. MURPHY, North Carolina
LUCY Mc BATH, Georgia                MARIANNETTE MILLER-MEEKS, Iowa
JAHANA HAYES, Connecticut            BURGESS OWENS, Utah
ANDY LEVIN, Michigan                 BOB GOOD, Virginia
ILHAN OMAR, Minnesota                LISA C. Mc CLAIN, Michigan
HALEY M. STEVENS, Michigan           DIANA HARSHBARGER, Tennessee
TERESA LEGER FERNANDEZ, New Mexico   MARY E. MILLER, Illinois
MONDAIRE JONES, New York             VICTORIA SPARTZ, Indiana
KATHY E. MANNING, North Carolina     SCOTT FITZGERALD, Wisconsin
FRANK J. MRVAN, Indiana              MADISON CAWTHORN, North Carolina
JAMAAL BOWMAN, New York, Vice-Chair  MICHELLE STEEL, California
MARK POCAN, Wisconsin                Vacancy
JOAQUIN CASTRO, Texas                Vacancy
MIKIE SHERRILL, New Jersey
JOHN A. YARMUTH, Kentucky
ADRIANO ESPAILLAT, New York
KWEISI MFUME, Maryland

                   Veronique Pluviose, Staff Director
                  Cyrus Artz, Minority Staff Director
                                 ------                                
            SUBCOMMITTEE ON CIVIL RIGHTS AND HUMAN SERVICES

                  SUZANNE BONAMICI, Oregon, Chairwoman

ALMA S. ADAMS, North Carolina        RUSS FULCHER, Idaho, Ranking 
JAHANA HAYES, Connecticut                Member
TERESA LEGER FERNANDEZ, New Mexico   GLENN THOMPSON, Pennsylvania
FRANK J. MRVAN, Indiana              LISA C. Mc CLAIN, Michigan
JAMAAL BOWMAN, New York              VICTORIA SPARTZ, Indiana
KWEISI MFUME, Maryland               SCOTT FITZGERALD, Wisconsin
ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT, Virginia  VIRGINIA FOXX, North Carolina (ex 
  (ex officio)                           officio)
                            
                            
                            C O N T E N T S

                              ----------                              
                                                                   Page

Hearing held on March 22, 2021...................................     1

Statement of Members:
    Bonamici, Hon. Suzanne, Chairwoman, Subcommittee on Civil 
      Rights 
      and Human Services.........................................     1
        Prepared statement of....................................     4
    Fulcher, Hon. Russ, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Civil 
      Rights 
      and Human Services.........................................     6
        Prepared statement of....................................     6

Statement of Witnesses:
    Miller, Elizabeth, MD, Ph.D., Director, Adolescent and Young 
      Adult 
      Medicine, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh...........    24
        Prepared statement of....................................    27
    Novoryta, Ami, Chief Program Officer, Catholic Charities of 
      the 
      Archdiocese of Chicago.....................................    20
        Prepared statement of....................................    23
    Schlater, Wendy, Vice Chairwoman, La Jolla Band of Luiseno 
      Indians....................................................    13
        Prepared statement of....................................    15
    Timmons, Vanessa, Executive Director, Oregon Coalition 
      Against 
      Domestic and Sexual Violence...............................     8
        Prepared statement of....................................    10

Additional Submissions:
    McBath, Lucy, a Representative in Congress from the State of 
      Georgia
        Letter in support of the Family Violence Prevention and 
          Services Improvements Act of 2019......................    56

 
                      ENDING THE CYCLE: EXAMINING
                   WAYS TO PREVENT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
                    AND PROMOTE HEALTHY COMMUNITIES

                              ----------                              


                         Monday, March 22, 2021

                  House of Representatives,
   Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services,
                          Committee on Education and Labor,
                                                    Washington, DC.
    The subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 12 p.m., via 
Zoom, Hon. Suzanne Bonamici (Chairwoman of the subcommittee) 
presiding.
    Present: Representatives Bonamaci, Adams, Hayes, Leger 
Fernandez, Mrvan, Bowman, Scott, Fulcher, Thompson, Spartz, 
Fitzgerald, and Foxx.
    Staff present: Ilana Brunner, Ijeoma Egekeze, Alison Hard, 
Sheila Havenner, Eli Hovland, Carrie Hughes, Ariel Jona, Andre 
Lindsay, Max Moore, Mariah Mowbray, Kayla Pennebecker, 
Veronique Pluviose, Banyon Vassar, Cyrus Artz, Minority Staff 
Director; Courtney Butcher, Minority Director of Member 
Services and Coalitions; Amy Raaf Jones, Minority Director of 
Education and Human Resources Policy; Hannah Matesic, Minority 
Director of Operations; Jake Middlebrooks, Minority Staff 
Member; Carlton Norwood, Minority Press Secretary; and Mandy 
Schaumburg, Minority Chief Counsel and Deputy Director of 
Education Policy.
    Chairwoman Bonamici. The Subcommittee on Civil Rights and 
Human Services will come to order. Welcome everyone. I note 
that a quorum is present. The subcommittee is meeting today to 
hear testimony on ``Ending the Cycle: Examining Ways to Prevent 
Domestic Violence and Promote Healthy Communities.''
    I note for the subcommittee that full committee Member 
Representative McBath of Georgia is joining us and is permitted 
to participate in today's hearing with the understanding that 
her questions will come after all Members of the subcommittee 
on both sides of the aisle who are present have had an 
opportunity to question the witnesses.
    This is an entirely remote hearing. All microphones will be 
kept muted as a general rule to avoid unnecessary background 
noise. Members and witnesses will be responsible for unmuting 
themselves when they are recognized to speak, or when they wish 
to seek recognition.
    I also ask that Members please identify themselves before 
they speak. Members should keep their cameras on while in the 
proceeding. Members shall be considered present in the 
proceeding when they are visible on camera, and they shall be 
considered not present when they are not visible on camera. The 
only exception to this is if they are experiencing technical 
difficulty, and inform committee staff of such difficulty.
    If any Member experiences technical difficulties during the 
hearing you should stay connected on the platform, make sure 
you are muted, and use your phone to immediately call the 
committee's IT Director whose number was provided in advance. 
Should the Chair experience technical difficulty, or need to 
step away to vote on the floor, which won't happen today, 
Chairman Scott or another Majority Member of the subcommittees 
if he not available is hereby authorized to assume the gavel in 
the Chair's absence.
    This is an entirely remote hearing and as such the 
committee's hearing room is officially closed. Members who 
choose to sit with their individual devices in the hearing room 
must wear headphones to avoid feedback, echoes and distortion 
resulting from more than one person on the software platform 
sitting in the same room.
    Members are also expected to adhere to social distancing, 
and safe health guidelines including the use of masks, hand 
sanitizer and wiping down their areas, both before and after 
their presence in the hearing room. To make sure that the 
Committee's five-minute rule is adhered to, staff will be 
keeping track of time using the committee's field timer.
    The field timer will appear in its own thumbnail picture 
and will be labeled 001_timer. There will not be a one minute 
remaining warning. The field timer will sound its audio alarm 
when the time is up. Members and witnesses are asked to wrap up 
promptly when their time has expired.
    A roll call is not necessary to establish a quorum in 
official proceedings conducted remotely or with remote 
participation, but the committee has made it a practice 
whenever there is an official proceeding with remote 
participation for the Clerk to call the roll to help make clear 
who is present at the start of the proceeding.
    Members should say their name before announcing they are 
present. This helps the Clerk, and also helps those watching 
the platform and the livestream who may experience a few 
seconds delay.
    At this time I ask the clerk to call the roll.
    The Clerk. Chairwoman Bonamici?
    Chairwoman Bonamici. Chair Bonamici is present.
    Ms. Adams.
    [No response]
    The Clerk. Mrs. Hayes?
    [No response]
    The Clerk. Ms. Leger Fernandez?
    Ms. Leger Fernandez. Ms. Leger Fernandez is present.
    The Clerk. Mr. Mrvan?
    Mr. Mrvan. Present. Frank Mrvan present.
    The Clerk. Mr. Bowman?
    Mr. Bowman. Jamaal Bowman present.
    The Clerk. Mr. Mfume?
    [No response]
    The Clerk. Ranking Member Fulcher?
    Mr. Fulcher. Fulcher is here.
    The Clerk. Mr. Thompson.
    [No response.]
    The Clerk. Ms. McClain?
    [No response.]
    The Clerk. Ms. Spartz?
    [No response]
    The Clerk. Mr. Fitzgerald?
    Mr. Fitzgerald. I am here, present.
    The Clerk. Chairwoman Bonamici that concludes the roll 
call.
    Ms. Foxx. Madam Chairwoman I am here too.
    Ms. Adams. Alma Adams is present.
    Chairwoman Bonamici. Thank you. Pursuant to Committee Rule 
8(c), opening statements are limited to the Chair and the 
Ranking Member. This allows us to hear from our witnesses 
sooner and provides all Members with adequate time to ask 
questions.
    I recognize myself now for the purpose of making an opening 
Statement.
    Today we are discussing the urgent need to update and 
strengthen Federal programs that help prevent intimate partner 
violence and provide services to survivors. Before I begin, I 
want to recognize that this discussion may be extremely 
difficult for some people who are watching.
    I would ask all participants to be mindful of the sensitive 
nature of this conversation. I encourage anyone who needs 
support to visit www.thehotline.org. This is an important and 
timely conversation. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has 
increased the risk for intimate partner violence and disrupted 
services that offer protection and support to survivors. As a 
result, an already quiet crisis has become even harder to both 
track and address.
    In Oregon leaders like Vanessa Timmons who the committee 
will hear from today are working tirelessly to reach survivors 
and provide them with resources and support. In the district I 
represent here in Northwest Oregon, providers like the Domestic 
Violence Resource Center and Greater Portland YWCA provide 
shelter, support, services for children, and counseling for 
survivors in crisis.
    But we know they need more resources to meet the demand for 
assistance. The urgent need to address intimate partner 
violence could not be overstated. About 1 in 4 women, and 
nearly 1 in 10 men, have reported experiencing some form of 
intimate partner violence.
    These incidences often cause physical injuries that portend 
to even greater risks. Some reports have shown that half of 
female homicide victims were killed by an intimate partner. For 
survivors of violence the emotional trauma can last long after 
the physical injuries have healed.
    These experiences often first occur when survivors are 
younger than 25, triggering potentially life-long struggles 
with chronic disease and mental health conditions. Congress 
took a major step to address this issue in 1984 by authorizing 
the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act. Today this 
essential pillar in our fight against intimate partner violence 
is responsible for shelters, support services for survivors, 
and 24-hour domestic violence hotline.
    With the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, 
Congress also established the Pregnancy Assistance Fund which 
provide critical services to improve the health of women and 
children. Specifically, this program invested in expanding 
access to services for teen parents as well as pregnant people 
and new parents, who are survivors of domestic violence or 
sexual assault.
    These foundational programs are proven to be effective in 
addressing intimate partner violence, but they are also 
severely underfunded, particularly in light of today's 
challenges. Just a few weeks ago in the American Rescue Act, 
excuse me in the American Rescue Plan, the committee secured 
450 million dollars for programs to address intimate partner 
violence and sexual assault.
    Importantly, this funding will help culturally specific 
organizations outreach to underserved communities of color 
which have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. 
This historic investment in the American Rescue Plan will save 
lives, but we need long-term policies and investment.
    Now Congress must look to next steps, such as updating the 
Family Violence Prevention and Services Act which we have not 
reauthorized since 2003, and the Pregnancy Assistance Fund 
which expired in 2019. Today we'll discuss steps to further 
strengthen our response to the domestic violence crisis, and 
importantly discuss ways that domestic violence and sexual 
violence can be prevented.
    First, we must focus on equity. Domestic violence can 
affect people from any background or income, but we know that 
communities of color, LGBTQ individuals, and people with 
disabilities face disproportionate rates of intimate partner 
violence, and have limited access to services.
    We must further expand programs that are specifically 
designed to reach and support these underserved communities. We 
must also specifically invest in meeting the needs of native 
survivors of domestic violence. We know tribal communities face 
unique barriers to navigating the healthcare and criminal 
justice systems, with only limited access to largely 
underfunded support services.
    Finally, and importantly, we must focus on preventing 
intimate partner violence before it happens. Currently, the 
only prevention program in the Family Violence Prevention and 
Services Act is significantly underfunded. Reauthorizing this 
law would help protect our communities from the pain and cost, 
emotionally, physically and financially of domestic violence.
    We can aggressively combat intimate partner violence and 
prevent it from happening in the first place. It's not only the 
smart thing to do as rates of violence increase, it's the right 
thing to do for the well-being of our families and communities. 
I thank my colleague, Representative Lucy McBath for her 
leadership and working to reauthorize the Family Violence 
Prevention Services Act, and I also want to thank her witnesses 
for being with us. And I now yield to Ranking Member Mr. 
Fulcher for your opening Statement.
    [The statement of Chairwoman Bonamici follows:]

 Statement of Hon. Suzanne Bonamici, Chairwoman, Subcommittee on Civil 
                       Rights and Human Services

    Today, we are discussing the urgent need to update and strengthen 
Federal programs that help prevent intimate partner violence and 
provide services to survivors.
    Before I begin, I want to recognize that this discussion may be 
extremely difficult for some people who are watching. I would ask all 
participants to be mindful of the sensitive nature of this 
conversation, and I encourage anyone who needs support to visit 
www.thehotline.org.
    This is an important and timely conversation. The ongoing COVID-19 
pandemic has increased the risk for intimate partner violence and 
disrupted services that offer protection and support to survivors. As a 
result, an already quiet crisis has become even harder to both track 
and address.
    In Oregon, leaders like Vanessa Timmons, who the committee will 
hear from today, are working tirelessly to reach survivors and provide 
them with resources and support. In the district I represent, providers 
like the Domestic Violence Resource Center and the Greater Portland 
YWCA provide shelter, support, services for children, and counseling 
for survivors in crisis. But we know they need more resources to meet 
the demand for assistance.
    The urgent need to address intimate partner violence cannot be 
overstated. About one in four women and nearly one in ten men have 
reported experiencing some form of intimate partner violence. These 
incidents often cause physical injuries that portend even graver risks. 
Some reports have shown that more than half of female homicide victims 
were killed by an intimate partner.
    For survivors of violence, the emotional trauma can last long after 
the physical injuries have healed. These experiences often first occur 
when survivors are younger than 25, triggering potentially lifelong 
struggles with chronic disease and mental health conditions.
    Congress took a major step to address this issue in 1984 by 
authorizing the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act. Today, 
this central pillar in our fight against intimate partner violence is 
responsible for shelters, support services for survivors, and 24-hour 
domestic violence hotlines.
    With the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, Congress also 
established the Pregnancy Assistance Fund, which provided critical 
services to improve the health of women and children. Specifically, 
this program invested in expanding access to services for teen parents 
as well as pregnant people and new parents who are survivors of 
domestic violence or sexual assault.
    These foundational programs are proven to be effective in 
addressing intimate partner violence. But they are also severely 
underfunded, particularly in light of today's challenges.
    Just a few weeks ago in the American Rescue Plan Act. the Committee 
secured $450 million for programs to address intimate partner violence 
and sexual assault. Importantly, this funding will help culturally 
specific organizations outreach to underserved communities of color, 
which have been disproportionally affected by the pandemic.
    The historic investments in the American Rescue Plan will save 
lives, but we need long-term policies and investment.
    Now, Congress must look to next steps, such as updating the Family 
Violence Prevention and Services Act, which we have not reauthorized 
since 2003, and the Pregnancy Assistance Fund, which expired in 2019.
    Today, we will discuss steps to further strengthen our response to 
the domestic violence crisis and importantly, discuss ways that 
domestic violence and sexual violence can be prevented.
    First, we must focus on equity. Domestic violence can affect people 
from any background or income, but we know that communities of color, 
LGBTQ individuals, and people with disabilities face disproportionate 
rates of intimate partner violence, yet have limited access to 
services. We must further expand programs that are specifically 
designed to reach and support these underserved communities.
    We must also specifically invest in meeting the needs of Native 
survivors of domestic violence. We know tribal communities face unique 
barriers to navigating the health care and criminal justice systems 
with only limited access to largely underfunded support services.
    Finally, and importantly, we must focus on preventing intimate 
partner violence before it happens. Currently, the only prevention 
program in the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act is 
significantly underfunded. Reauthorizing this law would help protect 
our communities from the pain and cost ? emotionally, physically, and 
financially--of domestic violence.
    We can aggressively combat intimate partner violence and prevent it 
from happening in the first place. It is not only the smart thing to do 
as rates of violence increase, it's the right thing to do for the well-
being of our families and communities.
    I want to thank my colleague, Representative Lucy McBath, for her 
leadership in working to reauthorize the Family Violence Prevention and 
Services Act. I also want to thank our witnesses, again, for being with 
us, and now I yield to the Ranking Member, Mr. Fulcher.
                                 ______
                                 
    Mr. Fulcher. Thank you, Madam Chair, for convening this 
hearing regarding domestic violence. A 2015 survey by the CDC 
estimated that one-third of all men and women are victims of 
domestic violence at some point in their life.
    Data in 2019 from my home State of Idaho supports this 
survey whereby about 37 percent of assaults were domestic 
violence related. In 2020 it's worse. COVID-19 has dealt our 
Nation with government mandated restrictions and economic 
challenges. It appears those negative outcomes have snowballed 
to exacerbate an even worse fallout.
    Evidence suggests that in this pandemic ridden environment 
stress, due to work, school, substance abuse and financial 
struggles have added to more violence in the home. Especially 
hard hit appear to be rural areas, where job opportunities can 
be hard to find.
    Last year Idaho saw an 84 percent increase in domestic 
violence related calls along with more emergency intakes and 
overnight shelter requests. Domestic violence in any form is an 
evil that demands a strong response. This issue does not impact 
all people equally. While a notable share of men are 
victimized, domestic violence disproportionately impacts women.
    And despite the cancel cultures desire to blur the lines 
between women and men, facts are facts. We need to protect 
everyone, but realize that our women are the most vulnerable. 
Congress has continued to allocate the funding to address this 
issue, most recently in the CARES Act, the Family Violence 
Prevention and Services Programs, which I and many of my 
colleagues supported.
    Moving forward our efforts should include confronting the 
issue and supporting survivors with tools like domestic 
violence hotline, so victims can reach out and receive help. 
However, the solution is more complicated than simply 
increasing spending. More money alone will not solve domestic 
violence in our society.
    We must understand that dealing with this issue is best 
done at the local level, and government can't always provide 
the answers. Local civic groups and faith-based providers are 
best positions to provide aid and deliver it effectively.
    Committee Republicans recognize the importance of 
supporting survivors of domestic violence, but any 
reauthorization should focus primarily on local solutions and a 
coordinated community response, not just more Federal spending. 
The committee should work to support best practices and act 
knowing that as good as our intentions may be, we cannot 
pretend to be able to solve them all from Washington, DC.
    I look forward to hearing from our witnesses, especially 
Ms. Ami Novoryta, I'll get that straight, who will discuss the 
important work of local organizations that faith-based 
providers are doing to serve those in need. Madam Chair thank 
you. I yield back.
    [The statement of Ranking Member Fulcher follows:]

 Statement of Hon. Russ Fulcher, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Civil 
                       Rights and Human Services

    A 2015 survey by the CDC estimated that one-third of all men and 
women are victims of domestic violence at some point in their life. 
Data in 2019 from my home State of Idaho supports this survey, whereby 
about 37 percent of assaults were domestic violence-related. In 2020, 
it's worse.
    COVID-19 has dealt our Nation with government-mandated restrictions 
and economic challenges. It appears those negative outcomes have 
snowballed to exacerbate an even worse fallout. Evidence suggests that 
in this pandemic-ridden environment, stress, due to work, school, 
substance abuse, and financial struggles, have added to more violence 
in the home. Especially hard-hit appear to be rural areas where job 
opportunities can be hard to find. Last year, Idaho saw an 84 percent 
increase in domestic violence-related calls, along with more emergency 
intakes and overnight shelter requests.
    Domestic violence in any form is an evil that demands a strong 
response. This issue does not impact all people equally. While a 
notable share of men are victimized, domestic violence 
disproportionately impacts women. And despite the cancel culture's 
desire to blur the lines between women and men, facts are facts. We 
need to protect everyone and realize that our women are the most 
vulnerable.
    Congress has continued to allocate funding to address this issue, 
most recently in the CARES Act via Family Violence Prevention and 
Services (FVPSA) programs, which I and many of my colleagues supported. 
Moving forward, our efforts should include confronting the issue and 
supporting survivors, with tools like the domestic violence hotline so 
victims can reach out and receive help.
    However, the solution is more complicated than simply increasing 
spending. More money alone will NOT solve domestic violence in our 
society. We must understand that dealing with this issue is best done 
at the local level, and government cannot always provide the answers. 
Local civic groups and faith-based providers are best positioned to 
provide aid and deliver it effectively.
    Committee Republicans recognize the importance of supporting 
survivors of domestic violence. But any reauthorization should focus 
primarily on local solutions and a coordinated community response, not 
just more Federal spending. The Committee should work to support best 
practices and act, knowing that as good as our intentions may be, we 
cannot pretend to be able to solve them all from Washington, DC.
    I look forward to hearing from our witnesses, especially Ms. Ami 
Novoryta, who will discuss the important work local organizations and 
faith-based providers are doing on the ground to serve those in need.
                                 ______
                                 
    Chairwoman Bonamici. Thank you, Ranking Member Fulcher. 
Without objection all other Members who wish to insert written 
statements into the record may do so by submitting them to the 
Committee Clerk electronically in Microsoft Word format by 5 
p.m. on April 5, 2021.
    I will now introduce the witnesses. Mrs. Vanessa Timmons is 
the Executive Director of the Oregon Coalition Against Domestic 
and Sexual Violence. Ms. Wendy Schlater is the Vice Chairwoman 
of the La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indians. She is Board Treasurer 
of the National Indigenous Women's Resource Center.
    Ms. Ami Novoryta is the Chief Program Officer for Catholic 
Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, and Doctor Elizabeth 
Miller is a Pediatrician and Director of Adolescent and Young 
Adult Medicine at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. We 
appreciate the witnesses for participating today, and we look 
forward to your testimony.
    Let me remind the witnesses that we have read your written 
Statements, and they will appear in full in the hearing record. 
Pursuant to Committee Rule 8(d) and committee practice, you are 
each asked to limit your oral presentation to a five-minute 
summary of your written Statement.
    I also remind the witnesses that pursuant to 18 of the U.S. 
Code, Section 1001, it is illegal to knowingly and willfully 
falsify any Statement, representation, writing, document, or 
material fact presented to Congress or otherwise conceal or 
cover up a material fact.
    And before you begin your testimony, please remember to 
unmute your microphone. During your testimony, staff will be 
keeping track of the time and a timer will sound when your time 
is up. Please be attentive to the time and wrap up when your 
time is over and then remute your microphone.
    If you experience any technical difficulties during your 
testimony or later in the hearing, please stay connected on the 
platform, make sure you are muted and use your phone to 
immediately call the committee's IT director, whose number was 
provided to you in advance.
    We will let all the witnesses make their presentations 
before we move to Member questions. When answering a question, 
please remember to unmute your microphone. I will first 
recognize Mrs. Timmons. You are recognized for five minutes for 
your testimony.

   STATEMENT OF VANESSA TIMMONS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OREGON 
             COALITION AGAINST DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL 
                            VIOLENCE

    Ms. Timmons. Thank you Chairwoman Bonamici, Ranking Member 
Fulcher and distinguished Members of the subcommittee. Thank 
you for the opportunity to testify today on ending the cycle, 
examining ways to prevent domestic violence and promote healthy 
communities.
    My name is Vanessa Timmons. I'm the Executive Director of 
the Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. I've 
been in the field for more than 30 years, and I have been the 
OCADSV Executive Director for the past 8 years. I hope to speak 
on behalf of not only our 51 Member programs in Oregon, but 
also on behalf of survivors that we all serve.
    Unfortunately, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men are survivors 
of domestic violence. This means all of us know someone who has 
been impacted by intimate partner violence. No one in our 
country escapes the impact of this public health crisis. 
Intimate partner violence is a public health issue which 
requires all of us and a holistic public health response.
    Over 1,600 domestic violence programs offer services such 
as emergency shelter, counseling, legal assistance, and 
preventive education to millions of adult and child victims 
every year. These programs rely on the consistent funding 
provided by the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, 
also referred to as FVPSA.
    FVPSA expired in 2015 and must be reauthorized with key 
enhancements in order to meet the intersecting crisis of this 
moment. Since its passage in 1984, FVPSA has remained the sole 
Federal funding source for domestic violence shelters and 
services. FVPSA is the life blood of domestic violence 
programs, providing stable modest funding.
    FVPSA also provides dedicated funding to domestic violence 
coalitions in every State and U.S. territory. Coalitions 
provide support, technical assistance and training to our local 
programs, who support the survivors that we all care so deeply 
about. Coalitions are important because we bring that birds eye 
view to the field by programs and doing their day to day work.
    We work closely with our State government agencies to 
ensure funding is getting to each and every community. Despite 
the progress brought by FVPSA, programs are underfunded, and we 
struggle to keep up with demand for services. According to the 
National Network to End Domestic Violence's forthcoming 
Domestic Violence Counts Report, in 2020 domestic violence 
programs across the country served more than 76,000 victims 
just in 1 day.
    But sadly in that same day, over 11,000 requests for 
services went unmet due to a lack of resources. Approximately 
57 percent of these unmet requests were for housing and 
emergency shelter. For those individuals who were not able to 
find safety that day, the consequences could be dire.
    The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected 
victims of domestic violence and exacerbated their urgent 
needs. Stay at home orders, quarantines, and a lack of privacy 
that is inherent in an abusive home has created additional 
barriers to safety, and access to services.
    Black, indigenous and other survivors of color have always 
faced increased barriers to safety such as systemic racism and 
historical trauma. The pandemic has heightened the need for 
culturally specific organizations who are better equipped to 
address the complex challenges facing victims from racial and 
ethnic minority populations.
    The reauthorization of FVPSA provides an important 
opportunity to continue the progress we have made toward 
meeting the needs of domestic violence victims and breaking 
that terrible cycle of abuse. Victims needs are great and there 
is much to do to end domestic violence in our country.
    In order to move closer to this goal, I urge the committee 
to prioritize the swift, reauthorization of the Family Violence 
Prevention and Services Act. I thank you for your time, and I 
look forward to answering your questions.
    [The prepared Statement of Ms. Timmons follows:]

                 Prepared Statement of Vanessa Timmons
[GRAPHICS NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

    Chairwoman Bonamici. Thank you, Mrs. Timmons, for your 
testimony. And now I will recognize Ms. Schlater for five 
minutes for your testimony.

         STATEMENT OF WENDY SCHLATER, VICE CHAIRWOMAN, 
                LA JOLLA BAND OF LUISENO INDIANS

    Ms. Schlater. Miiyuyam and Nosun Looviq, hello and thank 
you, Chairwoman Bonamici, Ranking Member Fulcher, and committee 
Members. My name is Wendy Schlater and I'm the Vice Chairwoman 
for the La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indians.
    The Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, FVPSA, has 
made a difference in the lives of victims of domestic violence. 
FVPSA reauthorization with the enhancements will ensure the 
door to lifesaving services for all victims remains open. I 
urge this committee to support reauthorization with the 
proposed enhancements.
    The 2018 Commission on Civil Rights Broken Promises Report 
found that the Federal Government's failure to fulfill its 
trust responsibility is at the root of inequities facing Native 
Americans in health, public safety, and housing.
    I am also the Director of the Safety for Native Women's 
Program funded by FVPSA, responding to violence against women. 
We provide 24/7 crisis services, shelter, counseling and other 
assistance. Our FVPSA funding fills in the gaps that victims 
otherwise fall through.
    One of those gaps is the justice system who often fails 
victims. For these victims, FVPSA's resources are all that's 
preventing them from going missing or being murdered. Your 
support for FVPSA enhancements is key to tackling these 
problems.
    Only with FVPSA funding can we provide shelter through 
hotel rooms, safe homes, and shelters in the shelter that we 
opened which is often full. We also help children who are 
removed from their homes, placing them with other family. 
Without these resources our children are placed in a local 
children's center, which we avoid using because they have been 
further victimized in this center.
    While FVPSA reauthorization expired in 2015, appropriators 
have set aside increased funds from 2017 to 2021 for an Alaska 
Native resource center to reduce tribal disparities through our 
national Indian domestic violence hotline, and tribal event 
programs.
    The proposed reauthorization enhancements permanently 
authorize these changes made by appropriators. An authorization 
for an Alaska native resource center and Indian domestic 
violence hotline, increased overall authorizations, and 
adjustments to the formula increased what tribes received from 
10 to 12.5 percent. I know first-hand how FVPSA has made a 
difference.
    One morning when I arrived at my office a woman and her 
children were parked in the front of our office and had spent 
the night there. The woman had run away the night before with 
her children, one of whom was autistic and had Down syndrome. 
She left with nothing because her husband had been abusive and 
burned their clothes, including their son's orthotic brace, 
which he needed to walk.
    Through FVPSA we replaced the son's orthotic brace, found 
her temporary shelter, and later a home of her own. The 
National Domestic Violence Hotline launched a National Indian 
Hotline, called StrongHearts. Native advocates helped navigate 
the barriers facing Native victims, despite the rates of 
violence against Native women.
    Native services are thin. Where the national hotline has 
more than 4,000 resources in their data base, StrongHearts has 
fewer than 300 Native resources. There are more than 1,500 
shelters nationwide compared to fewer than 60 Native shelters, 
hence the proposed authorization for a National Indian Hotline.
    Tribal coalitions have been key to educating the 
policymakers. Examples of these resulting changes include the 
local shelter that we've opened, and the States that have 
established missing and murdered indigenous women's task 
forces. The technical assistance by coalitions has been at the 
heart of these changes.
    Unfortunately, tribal coalitions are not authorized to 
receive FVPSA funding. This exclusion reflects a disparity 
faced by tribal coalitions and the tribes they serve. One of 
the proposed FVPSA enhancements is authorizing funding for 
tribal coalitions. In 2013 the National Indigenous Women's 
Resource Center developed the Alaska Native Women's Resource 
Center which helped to raise challenges facing Alaska Native 
victims as issues of national concern.
    As a result, in 2017 Congress appropriated funds for the 
Alaska Native Resource Center, which has been an invaluable 
resource providing information to prevent domestic violence 
like never before. In addition, we have coordinated with the 
Native Hawaiians to address domestic violence, helping to 
create a grass roots organization with over 50 years of 
advocacy experience.
    The 1993 Apology to Hawaiians recognized the economic and 
social changes over the centuries that have been devastating to 
the health and well-being of the Hawaiian people. Congress 
amended FVPSA in 2010 authorizing Native resource centers, 
including Native Hawaiian Center, which could help promote 
healthier communities.
    In closing, the Federal Government must fulfill its trust 
responsibility to assist tribes and Native Hawaiians and 
safeguarding women. Failing to do so results in Native women 
experiencing disproportionate rates of violence. I urge the 
committee to reauthorize FVPSA with the proposed enhancements. 
Nu$son Looviq, my heart is good. Thank you.
    [The prepared Statement of Ms. Schlater follows:]

                  Prepared Statement of Wendy Schlater
[GRAPHICS NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

    Chairwoman Bonamici. Thank you for your testimony. And I 
will now recognize Ms. Novoryta for five minutes for your 
testimony.

  STATEMENT OF AMI NOVORYTA, CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER, CATHOLIC 
            CHARITIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO

    Ms. Novoryta. Chair Bonamici, Ranking Member Fulcher, and 
Members of the subcommittee, thank you for giving me the 
opportunity to testify on how Catholic Charities of the 
Archdiocese of Chicago strives to prevent domestic violence and 
promote healthy communities.
    Catholic Charities is one of the largest social service 
providers in the Midwest, and I am here today as Charities' 
Chief Program Officer. For 104 years, Catholic Charities has 
served and accompanied anyone in need in Greater Chicago. Every 
year, Charities' helps nearly 200 survivors of domestic 
violence, and those at high risk through emergency shelter, 
safety planning, counseling, legal services, and transitional 
housing.
    Our wrap-around services and our partnerships help 
survivors and in many cases their children improve stability 
and restore security.
    The survivors that we serve at Catholic Charities Chicago 
face staggering challenges. One hundred percent live below the 
Federal poverty line. They come to us as survivors of 
intergenerational trauma. They fear losing their children. They 
often have prolonged exposure to substance abuse and are 
experiencing homelessness or are unstably housed. Almost 
universally, they are in poor physical and emotional health.
    Survivors are often isolated due to cultural factors, 
language barriers, and lack of awareness of their lawful 
protections. Moreover, they have inadequate support once they 
leave the abusive situation.
    It is often the church, and Catholic Charities, to which 
survivors turn. The role of trusted, faith-based providers in 
this service arena is profound. We are finding that COVID only 
compounds the struggles faced by the survivors we serve. Since 
the pandemic began, the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline 
reports a 15 percent increase in calls and a 2,000 percent 
increase in text messages requesting help.
    Additional burdens include financial stress, unemployment, 
isolation, increased family conflict, and deepening mental 
health issues. For persons experiencing domestic abuse, 
lockdowns and other COVID restrictions have forced them to 
spend more time with their abuser, and less time with their 
support network, increasing survivors' difficulty trying to 
flee.
    A grim reality is that flight from an abusive situation 
often leaves survivors without a place to call home. In 
response, Catholic Charities operates two transitional housing 
programs for domestic violence survivors. While families are in 
a safe environment, Charities supports them on their journey 
toward healing and recovery, with a long-term goal of securing 
permanent housing and stable employment. We offer free legal 
services, including facilitating orders of protection and court 
representation.
    Although survivors may reside with us for up to 2 years, 
families typically transition after 12 to 14 months. Once a 1-
year housing agreement is secured, Charities arrange for the 
family to move into its new home. With our support, survivors 
arrived with a truckload of furniture, household supplies and 
clothing, and often with savings of $2,000.00 to $3,000.00.
    Most important is their increased self-sufficiency and 
their deep connection to a supportive, faith-based community. 
Our presence continues in many survivors' lives through after 
care programming, including support groups, and access to food, 
clothing, school supplies, and other necessities.
    Even through COVID, 100 percent of the survivors that we 
have served remain in stable, permanent housing. Prior to 
COVID, 68 percent sustained full-time employment. Today 
employment is an ongoing struggle.
    This winter we began offering new services for survivors of 
domestic violence on the west side of Chicago where African 
Americans and Latinx communities have been hardest hit by 
COVID. Our staff offer trauma-informed counseling and intensive 
case management. We are collaborating with churches, hospitals, 
and others to expand access to free, confidential services for 
survivors. Together we are helping people regain control of 
their lives and continue their healing process.
    Our shelters and our healing recovery programs help 
survivors to rebuild their lives with hope and dignity. Thank 
you for this opportunity to lift up our work before you today.
    [The prepared Statement of Ms. Novoryta follows:]

                   Prepared Statement of Ami Novoryta
[GRAPHICS NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

    Chairwoman Bonamici. Thank you for your testimony. And 
finally, we will hear from Dr. Miller. I recognize you for five 
minutes for your testimony.

STATEMENT OF ELIZABETH MILLER, MD, Ph.D., DIRECTOR, ADOLESCENT 
                AND YOUNG ADULT MEDICINE, UPMC 
               CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PITTSBURGH

    Dr. Miller. Thank you, Chairwoman Bonamici, Ranking Member 
Fulcher, and Members of the committee. Thank you for the 
opportunity to speak with you today on the importance of 
preventing domestic violence and child abuse and reauthorizing 
the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, FVPSA.
    My name is Dr. Liz Miller. I'm a Professor of Pediatrics 
and Public Health at the University of Pittsburgh. I also 
direct Adolescent and Young Adult Health and Community Health 
at UPMC Children's Hospital.
    I'm here today to share with you some of my personal 
reflections over the last 20 years working as a pediatrician 
and researcher. And I begin with a story from two decades ago 
while I was still a physician in training. I was volunteering 
one night a week in a clinic for young people who were unstably 
housed.
    A 15-year-old came in for a pregnancy test. She did not 
want to be pregnant and was not using any contraception. Her 
pregnancy test was negative. I offered her education. Along the 
way I asked her the usual domestic violence screening question 
I've been taught to ask. Are you feeling safe in your 
relationship? To which she nodded a quick yes.
    I finished with her exam, gave her some health information, 
and encouraged her to come back if she wanted help preventing 
pregnancy. Two weeks later she was in our emergency room with a 
severe head injury, having been pushed down the stairs by her 
boyfriend. That experience fundamentally shifted my career.
    I dedicated myself to understanding more about the impact 
of violence on young people with opportunities created by 
FVPSA, I have been able to provide some of the evidence that we 
can indeed prevent violence. For this testimony I'm going to 
focus on two evidence-based programs.
    One, in partnership with the National Health Resource 
Center on Domestic Violence run by Futures Without Violence, a 
FVPSA grantee. I co-created an intervention for healthcare 
settings that can reduce rates of violence. This approach, 
which we call CUES, C for confidentiality, U for universal 
education, E for empowerment and S for support, has been shown 
in several randomized trials to be effective.
    A second program I'd like to lift up is called Coaching 
Boys Into Men. This violence prevention program inspires 
athletic coaches to teach their young athletes about healthy 
and respectful relationships. In randomized trials with both 
high school and middle school athletes, the program has found 
dramatic reductions in relationship abuse and sexual violence 1 
year later.
    In fact, our team recently published an estimate that for 
every 1,000 boys exposed to this program, 20 cases of sexual 
assault are prevented. Given that the Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention, the CDC, estimates one sexual assault 
costs our society about $123,000.00.
    The return on investment of a program like this is immense. 
I strongly recommend the reauthorization of FVPSA. While the 
FVPSA program is administered by Family and Youth Services 
Bureau within the larger Administration for Children and 
Families, it is the Delta Program administered by the CDC and 
authorized as part of FVPSA that focuses on prevention.
    The Coaching Boys Into Men Program I mentioned, has been 
implemented across the county using Delta funding. And Delta 
extends only to about 10 States each year, so I recommend that 
we continue to fund Stated local partnerships, via the Delta 
program to test new and innovative ideas for prevention.
    Second, to provide base-line funding so all of our States 
and territories may have designated funding for prevention, and 
finally to provide additional designated funding to the Family 
Violence Prevention and Services Program within Family and 
Youth Services Bureau so that our victims service agencies can 
also support prevention activities.
    I also want to go back for a moment to the story I 
mentioned at the outset. Although my patient was not pregnant 
that day, she could have been among our young people who are 
pregnant and parenting. The Pregnancy Assistance Fund 
previously played a vital role in helping this most vulnerable 
group.
    Young people who are pregnant and parenting need extra 
support to succeed--high quality childcare, education, housing, 
food security, transportation and certainly comprehensive 
healthcare. So, I will leave you with three thoughts.
    Violence is preventable. Second, to prevent domestic 
violence and child abuse we must take a holistic approach. And 
finally, FVPSA is an excellent Federal program. We know it 
works. Rarely have so few dollars accomplished so much to help 
people.
    And we can do more to support prevention. First, by 
expanding the Delta Program so funding can reach all States. 
And second, by authorizing additional prevention funding out of 
the Family Violence and Services Office. Thank you for the 
honor and privilege of sharing these thoughts with you today, 
and for your consideration. I'm now ready to take your 
questions as well.
    [The prepared Statement of Dr. Miller follows:]

               Prepared Statement of Dr. Elizabeth Miller
[GRAPHICS NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

    Chairwoman Bonamici. Thank you so much, each of you, for 
your excellent testimony.
    Under Committee Rule 9(a), we will now question witnesses 
under the five-minute rule. After the chair and Ranking Member, 
I will be recognizing Members of both subcommittees in the 
order of their seniority on the full committee.
    And again, to make sure that the Members' five-minute rule, 
staff will be keeping track of time and the timer will sound 
when your time is over. Please re-mute your microphone.
    And as chair, I recognize myself for five minutes.
    Mrs. Timmons, thank you so much for your work and 
commitment to helping survivors in Oregon. I'm impressed by 
everything you've accomplished over the years. I learned a lot 
from our conversation last week. Recently, Congress provided 
450 million dollars to support survivors of intimate partner 
violence and sexual assault during the COVID-19 pandemic.
    So, I wanted to ask you could you please tell me more about 
the operational challenges that programs in Oregon have 
experienced during the pandemic, and during prior disasters 
that have made supplemental funds so critical?
    Ms. Timmons. Thank you. Yes. Survivors in Oregon really 
struggled early on to get the proper PPE, or proper equipment 
to keep our shelters open and keep survivors safe while they 
were in shelter. We struggled significantly with getting masks, 
and cleaning supplies.
    And shelters in our State are small. They're primarily 
homes that have been transformed into shelters. And so, this 
was a significant barrier to safety. We also had fires that 
raged through our community which caused some shelters to have 
to close and move survivors into hotels.
    We were struggling with really basic needs at that point 
from food to water, to clothing and some of the really basic 
things that folks needed. One of the things that I also want to 
touch on in terms of COVID is that the disproportional impact 
that COVID has had on tribal and [inaudible] of black, 
indigenous and people of color communities that are in Oregon.
    And I think that there has been a significant impact to 
advocates in those communities who are doing that work. We saw 
reductions in volunteers. We saw reductions in advocates being 
able to do the work that they need to do as they're taking care 
of their elders, taking care of their children, while also 
trying to keep survivors safe.
    We also had to pull all of our sexual assault advocates 
that were doing accompaniment to hospitals, out of the 
hospitals, and find alternative methods to do sexual assault 
advocacy. So the COVID-19 impact has just been incredibly 
broad.
    Chairwoman Bonamici. I don't want to cut you off, but I 
want to get a couple more questions in.
    Ms. Timmons. Please do.
    Chairwoman Bonamici. It's very, very helpful.
    Ms. Timmons. Any time.
    Chairwoman Bonamici. I just wanted to recognize Ms. 
Novoryta. You've mentioned some of the same things in your 
testimony too about the challenges during COVID. I wanted to 
ask Vice Chairwoman Schlater, we know that the Family Violence 
Prevention and Services Act administered as we know by 
Department of Health and Human Services, approaches intimate 
partner violence from a public health perspective.
    And why is the public health approach so important for 
Native survivors, and what are some of the barriers that Native 
survivors face in getting assistance from places, for example, 
the criminal justice system?
    Ms. Schlater. Thank you Chairwoman Bonamici, I'll get back 
with you more in detail in writing on that question. But you 
know, the answer that comes to the top of my mind right now is 
jurisdictional issues. And you know, who has jurisdiction over 
the incident, especially in a Public Law 280.C state like 
California.
    Chairwoman Bonamici. Right.
    Ms. Schlater. And so, it's really hard sometimes to even 
get a response from the justice system.
    Chairwoman Bonamici. Thank you. Well, I look forward to 
finding out more about that. And Dr. Miller I'm concerned 
because during the pandemic, pregnant women of color, for 
example, have sometimes delayed or reduced prenatal care 
visits, and that has exacerbated complications.
    We already have the complexities of the national maternal 
mortality crisis, so why is it so important, especially for 
survivors of color to continue to receive healthcare and social 
services that are provided by the Pregnancy Assistance Fund 
grants?
    Dr. Miller. Thank you, Chairwoman Bonamici, for that 
question. The maternal mortality is something that's deeply 
personal for me. Here in Pittsburgh we recently did a study 
where we rank the third percentile, so 97 percent of other 
comparable cities across the country look better than us on 
maternal mortality.
    So, we have been deeply, deeply engaged in this issue. And 
it is certainly complex, but the solutions lie in having really 
consistent and trustworthy health and social services, and the 
Pregnancy Assistance Fund is absolutely vital to that in terms 
of providing the social services and supports that are needed, 
and getting to those who are experiencing the greatest fear in 
marginalization.
    Chairwoman Bonamici. Thank you very much. And I'm going to 
set a good example because the clock is now at zero. I'm going 
to yield back and recognize Ranking Member Fulcher for five 
minutes for your questions.
    Mr. Fulcher. Thank you. Madam Chair, and you certainly do 
set a good example. I've got my stop clock going. This question 
is for Ms. Novoryta. I got your name correct I think this time, 
forgive me. But I appreciate that you shared the value of 
faith-based organizations in serving survivors in this issue. 
Any objective review of history reveals that faith was a 
critical part of our founders and fundamentally important part 
of life in America.
    I know I've seen first-hand in my own life the importance 
of the church in helping to meet the needs of the local 
community. Can you share a little bit more about why it's 
important for the faith community to be involved with this 
issue?
    Ms. Novoryta. Sure. Thank you, Representative Fulcher. Due 
to the trust factor, many people go to their minister, clergy, 
staff at stay safe providers, like Catholic charities and 
others when they need help, whether it be for domestic 
violence, other sources of distress.
    Similarly, what we're finding is that providing services 
at, or in connection with a church, temple, parish, helps the 
survivor feel safe. As have been shared today, isolation and 
control are very common in domestic violence relationships, and 
often the church, or another faith-based institution is a place 
that an abuser will allow their partner to go alone.
    I think it's important to say too that for many faiths, 
believers may feel that they cannot leave an abusive 
relationship because they have taken a religious vow or 
sacrament, and the sacred ritual of marriage. It is empowering 
for them to hear from their minister, clergy, or a counselor 
connected to the faith, that they are not expected to stay and 
endure the abuse.
    Mr. Fulcher. Thank you. And if I could just do a followup 
to that. I personally, I'm not Catholic, I'm evangelical 
Christian, so I don't necessarily understand the inner workings 
of Catholic charities. But what I do know is the positive 
impact that your efforts have had, and those appear to be 
undeniable.
    So, this question is basically how do you do it in the 
sense of you must do some partnering in local communities. And 
how do you do it? How does it work?
    Ms. Novoryta. So, survivors are often dependent on their 
abusers in multiple ways--financially, emotionally, socially. 
As Rachel Louise Snyder, she had in her 2019 book, No Visible 
Bruises, domestic violence is adjacent to so many other 
problems that we as a society grapple with--education, 
economics, mental and physical health, crime, gender, racial 
equality and more.
    And so, what we know is that the protection and safety of 
survivors requires both policies and systems and partnerships 
that recognize that domestic violence is a public health crisis 
with enormous implications for public safety, homelessness, and 
economic insecurity.
    So in our work with survivors, we know that an array of 
services, and a coordinated approach is necessary. We partner 
with other local trusted service providers, including local 
hospitals. The women's mental health program at Cook County 
Jail, the Network Advocating Against Domestic Violence, and 
others that offer job development, housing, and legal services.
    What we do know is none of us can do this work alone, and 
so together we wrap services around the survivor, so that they 
can both become more self-sufficient, and also feel a part of a 
broader supportive network.
    Mr. Fulcher. And thank you for that. And we've only got a 
little bit over a minute, so this will need to be a little bit 
quicker, but how are you funded? How do you keep the lights on, 
and the services going?
    Ms. Novoryta. Yes. So, like everybody else has shared here, 
funding from the government for domestic violence services is 
limited, and so we combine both a combination of Federal and 
State funding as well as significant private donations from the 
local community.
    Mr. Fulcher. Great. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Novoryta, for 
what you do and your testimony, to the rest of our panel as 
well. Thank you so much. Madam Chair, I yield back.
    Chairwoman Bonamici. Thank you, Ranking Member Fulcher. I 
now recognize Representative Adams from North Carolina for five 
minutes for your questions.
    Ms. Adams. Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm going to pull over 
and ask questions. Thank you to all of the witnesses for your 
testimony. African-American women experience intimate partner 
violence at a rate of about 35 percent higher than their white 
counterparts. However, they're less likely to use social 
services and seek out medical treatment for intimate partner 
violence.
    Ms. Timmons, what are some of the unique and systemic 
barriers women in Black communities face in accessing support 
services?
    Ms. Timmons. Thank you. African-American survivors 
definitely face significant barriers to accessing services. I 
think the most significant barrier that I have personally 
noticed when working with black women is the barrier around 
finding services that they can trust, and that they feel are 
responsive to the unique and culturally specific needs of their 
community, of their children, and of their families.
    And so that's the biggest barrier, is looking for that 
culturally specific response that they feel they can really 
trust and get their unique needs met.
    Ms. Adams. OK. What role does the National Center on 
Violence Against Women in the Black Community play in ensuring 
that victims in the community are connected with the 
appropriate resources?
    Ms. Timmons. They play a significant role. The biggest role 
I think that they play for us in Oregon is making sure we have 
access to adequate information about the disparities in the 
black community, allowing us to understand where those gaps 
really are, and what are the best practices in responding to 
those gaps and those needs.
    Ms. Adams. Thank you very much. So, we know that many 
people in our country do not feel comfortable calling the 
police when they need help. Vice Chairwoman Schlater and Ms. 
Timmons, can you talk more about what happens when victims 
don't feel safe calling the police, and what other resources 
can they turn to, and why these funding services are so 
important in these cases. That's for Vice Chairwoman Schlater 
and Ms. Timmons.
    Ms. Schlater. OK. Thank you, Congresswoman Adams. So 
basically, without our program here, it was very--before these 
type of funds came into our community, it was very unsafe on 
our reservations because there was no accountability for 
offenders, and somewhat hopelessness.
    And with tribal government's hands tied by jurisdiction 
issues, it was like if you called the sheriffs for a domestic 
violence call you'd get an 8-hour response, or no response at 
all. And that in turn led to more abuse for the victim who made 
the call for help, right?
    And so, there have been incidents in our community where 
families have tried to intervene with you know, beating up the 
victim's perpetrator, but that hasn't resulted in anything 
healthy. That wasn't a good solution for that.
    So with our program and our services, we've been able to 
build relationships with the local law enforcement, build our 
own tribal law enforcement program as well, and then really 
establish a life-saving link between the victim when they pick 
up the call for help there. So, Ms. Timmons?
    Ms. Timmons. Thank you. I think one of the things that 
we've absolutely learned about domestic violence is one size 
dos not fit all, right? We can build wonderful, vigorous, 
culturally responsive responses to the multiple complicated 
issue of domestic and sexual violence.
    This is not something that has--that we can create simple 
answers to. And I think that when it comes to law enforcement, 
there is absolutely a role that they play, an important role, 
in keeping us all safe from domestic and sexual violence, but 
it's everyone's issue.
    And our whole community has to respond to it in vigorous 
and responsive ways from educating family Members on best 
practices and how to respond, to educating healthcare workers, 
to educating clergy, to educating our communities and 
neighbors, and so I think that when I think about you know, 
that law enforcement response, I think it's been a wonderful 
tool for many survivors, but when people are afraid to call law 
enforcement, they have to have just as strong, and just as 
wonderful a tool in their toolbox as well.
    So, we have to move beyond one size fits all, and really 
respond to the needs that survivors are bringing us each and 
every day.
    Ms. Adams. Great. Thank you both very much. Madam Chair, 
I'm going to yield back.
    Chairwoman Bonamici. Thank you, Representative. I now 
recognize Representative Fitzgerald from Wisconsin for five 
minutes for your questions.
    Mr. Fitzgerald. Thank you, thank you. I just wanted to kind 
of go back to one of the things that Ranking Member Fulcher had 
mentioned, and it's I think because of my knowledge of what 
goes on in the Milwaukee Archdiocese.
    And Catholic Charities, I know, I'm just wondering overall 
kind of the financial picture because I know that many 
individual parishes that work with some of the non-
denominational outlets that many women can reach out to.
    And the one that I'm very familiar with, it's in my 
congressional district, it's called PAVE, People Against a 
Violent Environment. And I know that there's issues, you know, 
kind of across the spectrum on funding as a result of some of 
the parishes struggling, who often times set aside dollars for 
many of the programs related to the archdiocese and to 
charities.
    So, whether it's Milwaukee Archdiocese Charities, or 
Chicago Charities, I'm just wondering if you can kind of 
comment on that, Ms. Novoryta? I hope I said that right, sorry.
    Ms. Novoryta. You're close. It's Novoryta, it's Novoryta.
    Mr. Fitzgerald. OK.
    Ms. Novoryta. Yes. I mean to build on kind of what I think 
has been shared pretty universally across the comments today, 
funding for survivors of domestic violence who are 95 percent 
of survivors in Illinois, are women, is insufficient. And that 
is true at Catholic Charities of Chicago as well, and I think 
that speaks to both the need for Federal dollars come into 
local jurisdictions more frequently, and at a more significant 
level.
    We have, in Chicago, how we have been able to continue 
these programs is I think in two ways. First it's through 
leaning on folks within our community to support the work that 
we're doing financially.
    And second, it's as I spoke to earlier, we have significant 
partnerships outside Catholic charities. I think the other 
thing that might be important to mention is that within 
Catholic Charities of Chicago, so as a large organization, we 
serve about 400,000 people every year across a variety of 
services, and particularly through Federal funding and other 
resources we have housing programs, including transitional 
housing, permanent housing, other wrap around services as they 
relate to the counseling, trauma, informed therapy, excuse me, 
so on and so forth.
    And so, we, our staff has become very solution oriented in 
kind of bringing the puzzle pieces they need together from 
different funding sources in different parts of the 
organization in order to provide services.
    Mr. Fitzgerald. Yes, thank you very much. I know there's a 
series of challenges obviously, and I appreciate your testimony 
and you being here today. And I would yield back, Madam Chair.
    Chairwoman Bonamici. Thank you, Mr. Fitzgerald. I now 
recognize Representative Hayes from Connecticut for five 
minutes for your questions.
    Ms. Hayes. Thank you, Madam Chair. And thank you to our 
witnesses for joining us on this important hearing. In my State 
of Connecticut, I've seen them struggle to combat the surge of 
domestic violence during this pandemic. We've seen at our 
domestic violence shelters, 150 percent increase in capacity, 
and calls for help have increased by 71 percent.
    But even before we reached this point, I saw my students in 
the classroom who were suffering with the long-term ripple 
effects of family violence. In Congress I've advocated for the 
need for trauma informed care, for students to help address the 
growing mental health crisis that they face.
    I actually have a bill, the Supporting Trauma Informed 
Educational Practices Act that I've been working to get support 
on, because I know how critically important it is. Family 
violence prevention and support funds would also be good, and 
support of the National Center on Domestic Violence at Trauma 
and Mental Health is important, especially now.
    So, my question today is for Ms. Timmons. Could you please 
speak to the importance of incorporating trauma informed care 
into our response to victims of intimate partner violence?
    Ms. Timmons. Thank you. Trauma informed care, and trauma 
informed responses are really how I believe, are really how 
we're going to see ourselves through the domestic violence 
crisis and to the other side. I feel as if without trauma 
informed responses, it's very difficult to break the cycle of 
violence.
    Trauma affects us in our whole bodies. It affects how we 
parent. It affects how we navigate our own healing, how we see, 
how we're able to access our own resources. So I really do feel 
like trauma informed care is central to the work that we're 
doing.
    Everything that we've learned about trauma and how to apply 
it to our healing, healing our families, our organizations and 
our communities has brought us closer and closer to really 
ending this terrible epidemic of violence that we've been faced 
with.
    Ms. Hayes. Thank you. There's another component of that. 
Like I said I was a classroom teacher for many, many years, and 
I saw family violence up--well, the impact of family violence 
up close, but also dating violence.
    Many young people get involved with dating violence very 
early on, and in turn they are adults with the highest rates of 
interpersonal violence. Can you speak to what schools can do to 
help reduce domestic and family violence and promote safe and 
healthy relationships?
    Ms. Timmons. Yes. Education. Education, education, 
education. I think that prevention is key to breaking the cycle 
of violence. We have to be able to teach our young people what 
consent is, what violence is, and what healthy relationships 
are, so I think that's really, really important.
    Ms. Hayes. Thank you. My last question, nearly 20 years ago 
Congress authorized special grants under the Family Violence 
Prevention and Support Act. Dr. Miller, can you speak to the 
importance of a multi-general approach, particularly as it 
relates to these types of relationships we've seen, as we've 
heard before where multi-generations deal with this type of 
violence? What can we do in Congress?
    Dr. Miller. Absolutely. Thank you. Thank you for bringing 
the focus back to prevention as well, because while FVPSA is 
about services and supporting our victim's service agencies to 
do the work of supporting our survivors with the trauma 
sensitive responses that Ms. Timmons was just speaking to, it 
is also absolutely critical that we invest in prevention.
    And prevention includes recognizing that we need to support 
more adult allies and peers, right? So, to Ms. Timmons' point 
education, integrating dating violence prevention, but more 
broadly, trauma sensitive school practices as you're talking 
about, Congresswoman Hayes, into our K through 12 schools.
    That also includes, however, from the zero to five, you 
know Kindergarten readiness that thinking about positive 
parenting strategies, creating this sort of audacious hope, 
right, that positive parenting is possible in that context of 
recognizing that healing and recovery is possible.
    Our families are not broken. Our communities are not 
broken. We need to come together. As Representative Fulcher was 
saying, this is local. Because indeed it is a local response of 
creating a collective from our faith-based collaboratives, our 
schools, our community organizations and the vital importance 
of our victim's service advocates who create a community of 
care.
    Ms. Hayes. Thank you so much. Madam Chair, I yield back.
    Chairwoman Bonamici. Thank you so much. We now have the 
Ranking Member of the Full Committee, Ranking Member Foxx, I 
recognize you for five minutes for your questions.
    Ms. Foxx. Thank you very much, Madam Chairman. My question 
is for Ms. Novoryta. What has been the biggest impact of COVID 
on your programs that worked to address the problems of 
domestic violence? Have you seen any change in outreach through 
your peers, as society has started to open more recently?
    Ms. Novoryta. Yes. We are finding that many victims of 
domestic violence are reaching out to Catholic Charities for 
other immediate needs because they lost their job, they might 
need financial assistance to stay in their homes. They need 
food. And when our staff are able to meet that need, and begin 
building a relationship with that individual, we begin to learn 
more about other struggles, including with domestic violence.
    In many of the communities that we serve, stores are 
closed, houses of worship are not open. Schools, community 
centers are closed, and we're finding that we need to really 
meet people where they are. And over the last year that has 
been at hospitals.
    And so, similar to what Dr. Miller has been sharing, we've 
been working with local hospitals to train physicians, their 
social workers, their case managers, to screen patients for 
other social determinants of health, and also for domestic 
violence.
    They then are referring their patients to Catholic 
Charities. We're also finding that we need to be more flexible, 
and I think this is one of those millions of trends that 
started during COVID and are going to continue.
    Lack of privacy is a huge barrier to counseling. The 45-
minute sessions that have been our standard of care is rare. 
Instead, our trauma informed counselors are connecting with 
survivors more frequently, often via text messages, and short 
phones calls. We are responding to spontaneous calls, and we're 
doing more regular safety checks.
    It's more difficult for survivors to get time alone, and so 
we're coaching them on ways to do that. Sometimes that means 
locking yourself in the bathroom. That means going for a walk 
with your phone. That means sitting in your car.
    I think another thing to note in this conversation is that 
the survivors that we work with who again, 100 percent are 
below the Federal poverty line, do not always have access to 
Zoom, which is bringing us here today. And this is particularly 
challenging because during COVID, survivors have been expected 
to participate in court via Zoom.
    And so, we now have mobile telehelp cars at 10 of our sites 
across Greater Chicago, in part so survivors have a safe, 
private place to access and attend court on behalf of 
themselves and often their children as well.
    Ms. Foxx. Well, thank you. That was just a pearly good 
answer. I had a followup, a bit of a followup to that, but 
you've done such a fantastic job of answering the question my 
followup is related to it. It was as you've described, how 
you're able to work with other groups through your provision 
services like food, childcare, legal services, in house, which 
has allowed you, as you've described, to be more effective in 
identifying the people who need services for domestic violence.
    I think you've done a very, very good job of that. I want 
to thank you, and everyone involved with Catholic Charities for 
stepping up to do what you do. What you've done for generations 
of people, it's fantastic. Because I've had to split, I've gone 
from one hearing to another today, I don't know if there was 
any opportunity or if you were denied any opportunity to make 
comments on something someone else said or to finish up an 
answer.
    Do you have--I think I have a little time left. Do you have 
anything else you want to add to the discussion?
    Ms. Novoryta. I will add, I want to build on what Vanessa 
Timmons was sharing about the importance of trauma informed 
counseling. And briefly, last August we began working with a 
mother and her 5-year-old daughter, and our trauma informed 
therapist met with this child after she spent the morning 
clutching the hands of her mother as she lay recovering in 
critical care after her husband nearly beat her to death.
    And that little girl spent the night crying, ``Mommy, 
mommy, mommy.'' She told our therapist that she wanted her mom 
to hear her voice before God took her away from her. The 
survivors and the families that we serve, I'll be brief, have 
suffered and continue to suffer from trauma, and professional 
counselors with the credentials, trauma informed expertise and 
experience are just essential to our work, not only with 
adults, but the children.
    Ms. Foxx. Thank you very much. I appreciate that. I yield 
back.
    Chairwoman Bonamici. Thank you, Ranking Member Foxx, and no 
worries about going over on that, I think that was a very 
compelling story that we all benefit from hearing, tragic as it 
may be. Next, I recognize Representative Leger Fernandez for 
five minutes for your questions.
    Ms. Leger Fernandez. Thank you, Chair Bonamici, and thank 
you to all our witnesses for joining us today and for evoking 
the response of a tear in the eye over these stories, right. 
But I think we need to make sure that we take these stories, 
heartbreaking as they are, and take them as our call to action. 
I will say I've worked with Catholic Charities over many 
decades and their excellent work with immigrants who've been 
welcomed and supported by Catholic Charities regardless of 
their status, and I've always appreciated that of them.
    And Ms. Novoryta, thank you for detailing the work you've 
done with survivors and making it come home. Dr.ller, thank you 
for your audacious hope that it is possible to prevent violence 
and break the cycle.
    I want to address my first question is to Vice Chairwoman 
Schlater. Your testimony did highlight that American Indian and 
Alaska Native women experience higher rates of violence than 
any other race or ethnicity, about close to 50 percent. And 
then there are the fact that there are fewer shelter programs 
that we need to support coalitions, especially given this 
jurisdictional issue.
    I completely agree with you that we are failing in our 
trust obligations and must do more. So Ms. Vice Chairwoman, 
could you please share what you believe Congress should focus 
on to better protect Native women, both in the reauthorization 
of the Family Violence Protective Services Act, and if you 
believe we should do more in some other area as well for 
protecting our sisters.
    Ms. Schlater. Thank you, Congresswoman Fernandez. Yes, so 
you know the enhancements that we're proposing in this 
reauthorization of FVPSA are very critical for the tribal 
program increase, tribal grants increase from 10 to 12.5 
percent, the dedicated funding for a national indigenous Indian 
domestic violence hotline.
    The direct funding for the Alaska Native Resource Center, 
and last for our Hawaiian Native sisters as well. They've been, 
you know, neglected, you know, over the decades by the Federal 
Government as well. And so, for their resource center as well. 
You know on Congresswoman Hayes' comments on informed trauma 
care, we need more funding dedicated toward that as well.
    Because we know that the solutions lie within the tribal 
teachings of our people and our language. And when we do 
cultural activities with our youth and then when we do peer 
counseling with the women and the men that we service, and we 
go back to our stories and our teachings, it gives great 
comfort.
    And it also gives an example on how to be a good relative, 
right? And so, for like our young boys group that we work with, 
you talk about prevention. We teach our boys rattling, and so 
to hold a rattle is sacred for our songs.
    And so, if you're holding a rattle that is sacred, then you 
don't hurt anybody with your hands. And if you're singing those 
songs, you don't hurt anybody with your words, right? And so 
and there's a whole teaching that goes into the rattle as well, 
and as it deals like with consent, and you know, asking for the 
rattle to be put together, and you know, representing the seeds 
inside the rattle, representing the family.
    So those are beautiful teachings that we work with, with 
our youth. And for the young girls group we do singing, and 
dancing as well. As so we talk about the regalia that they 
wear. And that the honor that it is that some of the family 
Members make their pieces of regalia that they put on.
    And so that they in return, you know, are to take care of 
themselves first, because they are sacred life givers. And then 
if women are given everything that they need to be taken care 
of, they in return will take care of the whole village. That 
includes the men and the elders, and everyone else, the 
children.
    And so those are beautiful teachings, and that can come 
through with cultural specific trauma informed care. And so, 
I'll end there, but thank you.
    Ms. Leger Fernandez. Thank you very much. And that 
highlights the need for flexibility. And I don't know if we 
have enough time, Ms. Timmons, but I wanted for you to address 
the issue of rural, addressing violence in rural areas. Much of 
my constituency are rural. Can you speak to that real quickly?
    Ms. Timmons. Yes. The needs of rural survivors are quite 
unique and complicated, and I will try to get some information 
out to you. I think I ran out of time. Thank you so much.
    Ms. Leger Fernandez. Thank you. Please do send that 
information. I apologize.
    Chairwoman Bonamici. Thank you. No, I know it's an 
important issue. We look forward to receiving that information. 
And next I recognize Representative Thompson from Pennsylvania 
for five minutes for your questions.
    Mr. Thompson: Madam Chair, thank you so much. Thank you for 
this incredibly important hearing, and thank you to all the 
witnesses who have taken time out of their busy schedules, and 
the great work that you do each and every day serving and 
protecting a lot of individuals to be here.
    Ms. Novoryta, thank you for being here today, and you know 
to discuss an issue that affects one-third of all men and women 
throughout their lives. Their domestic violence. Domestic 
violence has been casted into the background for most of our 
history, sadly keeping it a hidden problem.
    Survivors of domestic violence have often tolerated 
physical, mental, emotional abuse and silence out of fear that 
their spouses or partners would retaliate. You know, former 
battered women, civics organizations and professionals began to 
open shelters in the 1970's to provide services to abused women 
and their children.
    And after seeing the great results from these efforts, 
Congress led a series of hearings in the early 1980's to 
understand the scope of this violence and explore possible 
responses. Now this led Congress to pass legislation that 
touched on all facets of domestic abuse, and legislation we're 
all very familiar with, originally passed in 1984 the Family 
Violence Prevention and Services Act, or FVPSA, is the primary 
Federal funding source that support emergency shelter and 
related assistance for victims of domestic violence and their 
families.
    And since then FVPSA has addressed domestic violence 
through community driven solutions. There are a network of 
programs and services dedicated responding to domestic violence 
across the United States, including our U.S. territories.
    Further, FVPSA funds nearly 1,600 community-based programs, 
their State formally grants, including nearly 60 programs were 
located throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, my home 
State.
    These programs provide necessary resources to local 
communities and help education individuals on health 
relationships, as well as offer legal assistance, crisis 
intervention and counseling. Now this critical legislation has 
been authorized seven times since its enactment, most recently 
in 2010 for 5 years for Fiscal Year 2015.
    And I've always supported this program, including 
introducing legislation in previous years that would offer a 
clean reauthorization of FVPSA for 5 years. Additionally 
supported the CARES Act, which provide 45 million dollars in 
supplemental funding for FVPSA, formal grantees and 2 million 
dollars in supplemental funding for the National Domestic 
Violence Hotline.
    The Congress should now focus on ways to support, continue 
to support pathways to strengthen families to prevent domestic 
violence and to continuing to support survivors despite the 
added challenges that COVID has posed.
    Ms. Novoryta, you mentioned in your testimony that COVID-19 
compounds the struggles faced by survivors of domestic 
violations, and the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline reports 
a 15 percent increase in calls, a 2,000 percent increase in 
text messages requesting help.
    Can you elaborate on how Catholic Charities aided survivors 
and those seeking help during the pandemic?
    Ms. Novoryta. Absolutely, absolutely. So, most of our 
referrals come to us from parishes, local hospitals, and 
community partners, or from other programs and services within 
Catholic Charities. A client might come to us for rental 
assistance, and then when we respond to that need, a 
relationship begins to take root, trust builds, and then more 
serious issues, including often domestic violence come to 
light.
    We also receive referrals through our Domestic Violence 
Help Line, and immediately work with the victims on the phone, 
or subsequently in text messages to identify their needs and 
their options, and work with them in the moment to create a 
safety plan with them.
    The greatest emergency need that people who call our help 
line bring to us is for safe housing, away from their abusers. 
We first see if we can bring them safely into one of our two 
transitional housing programs. We also are integrated into the 
Chicago and Greater Network of Service Providers, and we have 
agreements at our--they did not exist years ago, with ride 
share companies to transport survivors in crisis to safety 24/7 
when they are ready to leave.
    So those are some of the ways that survivors come to us, 
and our work is with them. It begins immediately on that first 
call.
    Mr. Thompson. Well, let me just close with saying 
congratulations. I understand that were 100 percent of the 
survivor families served by Catholic Charities remain in 
stable, permanent housing, including during COVID. That is 
quite an accomplishment and thank you for all that. And thank 
you to all the witnesses for the work that you do serving, 
preventing--working to prevent domestic violence, and serving 
the survivors of it. And thank you, Madam Chair.
    Chairwoman Bonamici. Thank you, Representative. And I now 
recognize Representative Mrvan from Indiana for five minutes 
for your questions.
    Mr. Mrvan. Thank you, Chairwoman. My question is for Ms. 
Novoryta. How are you? I'm from Gary, Indiana, so the Gary 
Diocese. So, when you speak to the Chicagoland greater area, 
you're speaking to me, because we fall into that category, and 
it's wonderful to have you here.
    First, I want to mention to you that as a North Township 
trustee, I did Poor Relief assistance. I represented 180,000 
people, and I worked very closely with Catholic Charities, 
specifically on immigration. Candy Torrez, who came over from 
Puerto Rico, I worked hand in hand with her. I know she's 
familiar with what you guys do, and we worked with domestic 
violence individuals.
    And I personally have sent through Dr. Miller, we do intake 
for people who need assistance, and we use the A study, and we 
work with people. And every case is a snowflake, as you're 
talking about, right?
    So my question to you directly, Ami, is can you give an 
example with a collective impact, so all of you witnesses know 
what I'm talking about, the collective impact of Federal and 
State government agencies working with you to better a 
survivor's chances of having a quality of life and better 
outcomes?
    Just give me one example where Federal and State agencies 
came together and worked together in a collective impact to 
help a survivor.
    Ms. Novoryta. Sure, I think that what I'd like to highlight 
as part of, in my response here, is the transitional housing 
program that Representative Thompson just mentioned. And 
housing is, I think, one of the most complex interventions to 
put into place, and to sustain over time. And it absolutely 
requires blending and rating public and private funding as well 
as a wide network of partnerships.
    The success of this program that we found at Catholic 
Charities is three-fold. First, we provide transitional housing 
for up to 2 years. The healing does not happen overnight. And 
securing the skills, and then securing a job to have stable 
employment that takes time. And there are going to be 
challenges along the way.
    Second, we know that housing alone is insufficient, and so 
in addition to the women who are in our transitional housing 
program, receive intensive case management services, access to 
benefits. This includes Snap, this includes WIC, this often 
includes Medicaid, and they commit to actively participating in 
a healing and recovery programming, including weekly classes, 
some of which are led by folks at Catholic Charities in 
Chicago, and some of which are from partner organizations.
    These range from addictions and anger management, financial 
literacy, budgeting, mindfulness, journaling and reflection, 
that trauma informed counseling, English as a second language 
if needed, particularly with the immigrant community, and job 
readiness.
    We also are able to provide onsite childcare if needed. And 
finally, as the last piece that cannot go unStated, is 
survivors actively participate in our aftercare program, that 
provides an ongoing support system. They know they can reach 
out if and when they are struggling, and they need extra 
support.
    Our support doesn't have an end date. We continue to 
provide counseling, small group sessions, food pantry, 
clothing, to help our survivors over the long haul as they hit 
those bumps in the road.
    Mr. Mrvan. And I just want to say the partnership that I 
had as an elected official in my agency to collaborate with 
those collective impact and those services such as Section 8 
housing, and access to housing.
    Ms. Novoryta. Yes.
    Mr. Mrvan. Those are all things that we worked together to 
make sure people had access to Federal programs. I thank you 
very much. And in closing I have a question for Ms. Timmons. 
Very quickly, Ms. Timmons, on my part quickly, we have seen an 
increase in the rates of physical intimate partner violence and 
sexual assault in this COVID-19 and the pandemic.
    What characteristics do you think the COVID-19 pandemic 
have lent other than isolation to this increase in violence 
among domestic partners?
    Ms. Timmons. Well, I think isolation plays a key role. I 
think that just the inherent lack of privacy and lack of 
support that happens with this kind of isolation is a 
significant piece. Also, the stress. There's a concurring, we 
see concurring incidents where there's stress, addiction, 
alcohol substance abuse use, and those kinds of things 
definitely increase if there's domestic and sexual violence in 
the family. And I think that that has played a significant 
role.
    Mr. Mrvan. Thank you to all the witnesses. I appreciate 
your answers and your time and what you do for victims and 
survivors.
    Chairwoman Bonamici. Thank you. And I now recognize 
Representative Bowman from New York for five minutes for your 
questions.
    Mr. Bowman. Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you to all 
the witnesses for being here. And thank you all for 
highlighting the need for trauma informed schools, and trauma 
informed education. A big shoutout to my colleagues for 
bringing up that particular issue.
    You know my background is education. I worked 20 years in 
public schools as a teacher, counselor, and middle school 
principal, and trauma informed approaches do work, having more 
counselors in our schools, having more music programs, having 
direct instruction in these areas really work very strongly, so 
thank you all for highlighting that.
    Dr. Miller, I wanted to ask you. One of the main prevention 
strategies in the Delta Program is engaging influential adults 
and peers. In your testimony you referenced the Coaching Boys 
Into Men Program, and the success the program has had with 
increasing positive bystander behaviors among middle and high 
school athletes.
    Can you please elaborate on the successes of the program, 
especially around creating a culture of respect, and reducing 
intimate partner violence and sexual assault?
    Dr. Miller. Absolutely. Thank you. Thank you so very much 
for asking about this program. And Coaching Boys Into Men is 
just one example of the kind of prevention programs that we can 
co-create with communities. And you know the history of this 
work was recognizing that we needed more adult allies involved 
in this work, while victims service advocates do phenomenal 
work in our communities, more people need to be spokespersons 
for prevention.
    And wow, coaches are amazing, right? Because they are role 
models, they're mentors, you know, and in some instances really 
serve as an adult caregiver role for many of our young people, 
especially young people in minority communities as well.
    And so what is amazing about the Coaching Boys Into Men 
Program is that we ask coaches to spend 10 to 1five minutes a 
week talking about respectful language, talking about 
leadership, talking about consent, right, very, very basic 
healthy relationship skills, and that that is part of being a 
leader in the school community and on the team.
    And what is really quite wild is that as athletes hear and 
discuss amongst themselves, they develop a code word of like 
they see a peer engaging in disrespectful behavior, they go, 
whoa, Boys to Men right, and it interrupts that behavior.
    And so what we have seen with both middle school and high 
school, again in very rigorous randomized trials, is that at 
the end of the sports season these athletes who get exposed to 
the program are much more likely to speak up and stand up when 
they see disrespectful behavior.
    And in fact, one of our local school districts that has 
probably turned out more NFL players in the country, is you 
know they were early adopters of Coaching Boys Into Men, and 
this is like the one school district where they say the 
football players are the most respectful in the entire school 
community.
    And so, it is a joyful program. It's one that very easily 
athletic coaches are able to adopt, and this is really you 
know, the difference between the cost of prevention, which is 
training victims' service advocates training coaches to do this 
program that is otherwise free, right?
    And compared to the cost of one sexual assault, the CDC 
estimating $123,000.00 to U.S. society for one sexual assault. 
The cost for one instance of intimate partner violence about 
over $100,000.00 for women, about $23,000.00 for men is what 
the CDC estimates.
    And so, you know, we can all do the math very quickly. 
Prevention is a great return on investment.
    Mr. Bowman. Awesome. Thank you for that. Ms. Timmons, 
research shows that trauma is intergenerational, with mothers 
transmitting trauma to their children. Children also bear a 
significant burden in the house when there is intimate partner 
violence. They may suffer significant trauma in their own 
right.
    If we do not break the cycle of violence and trauma, how 
much do children stand to lose from the proliferation of 
domestic violence?
    Ms. Timmons. That's an awesome question. Thank you. I think 
that one of the most devastating impacts of a 30-year career in 
domestic violence is seeing the impact on kids, of this--of 
domestic and sexual violence. And children stand to lose a 
significant portion of their future when they're impacted by 
this.
    Our whole selves as I've said earlier, is impacted. I can't 
over-emphasize how holistic and inclusive and complicated that 
trauma impacts us as humans. And so, I just would say that 
children have a significant amount to lose if we don't 
intervene in the cycle of violence.
    Mr. Bowman. So when we talk about a public health holistic 
approach, we're talking about education, K to 12 systems, we're 
talking about housing, we're talking about healthcare system, 
preventative measures in the community, and measures to support 
those who have been victims of emergency housing and other 
services. Thank you all for that. That was amazing thank you. I 
yield back my time.
    Chairwoman Bonamici. Thank you. And now I recognize the 
Chair of the Full Committee Representative Scott from Virginia 
for five minutes for your questions.
    Ms. Scott. Thank you, Madam Chair. Ms. Novoryta, you 
mentioned positive parenting. Exactly what does that mean? And 
why is it important?
    Ms. Novoryta. Thank you for your question. And my father is 
going to be grateful that the name Novoryta is getting so much 
play today. I think that positive parenting which is a really 
critical and important aspect of the work that we're discussing 
today, was brought up by Dr. Miller, and I actually would love 
to ask Dr. Miller to comment further on that.
    Mr. Scott. OK.
    Dr. Miller. Thank you very much. So, the term positive 
parenting encompasses a number of different supports for 
parents. And I want to begin by, one, the first part is 
recognizing that for many parents, including adolescents who 
are pregnant and parenting, that they may not have always been 
exposed to healthy and respectful environments.
    And in fact, we know for adolescents who are pregnant and 
parenting, that far too often it was also in the context of 
unhealthy environments. And so, exposure to violence is part of 
the story that we earlier heard about the ACE's study in 
adverse childhood experiences study as well.
    So, we all recognize as Ms. Timmons was saying, that the 
intergenerational impact of exposure to violence, it can impact 
the way in which one parents. What is so vital however, is that 
how we approach and work with parents as a pediatrician, I both 
acknowledge that sometimes, No. 1, parenting is hard.
    No. 2, parenting is extra hard for parents for whom they 
may have had prior exposure to violence, in that they may have 
been harmed as children. And the third is to say that they are 
not alone. The pediatrician's office, to be able to say there 
is no shame, no judgment here.
    I'm offering information to all of the parents because I 
recognize that sometimes parenting is hard. And here are 
opportunities for parents? programs and support, yes.
    Mr. Scott. Essentially positive parenting using positive 
reinforcement as a strategy to change behavior, rather than 
slapping the child?
    Dr. Miller. Absolutely. But also recognizing the parents do 
need support, and so they need to be given the supports around 
mindfulness and wellness and recognizing that parent mental 
health is vitally important to the health and wellness of their 
children as well.
    So, it is absolutely around identifying strategies to 
support your child's developing behaviors that does not involve 
corporal punishment, while simultaneously recognizing that 
parents often need more support and services.
    Mr. Scott. Thank you. Vice Chair Schlater, are there 
complications in the criminal justice system that make it 
difficult to hold Native Americans who are guilty of violence 
accountable in the criminal justice system?
    Ms. Schlater. Yes. Currently there are many challenges 
Congressman Scott. You know, one of them is, you know, non-
Native perpetrators on Indian land. And I'll send you something 
in writing. I'll answer that in writing, thank you.
    Mr. Scott. OK. Does this bill do anything about it?
    Ms. Schlater. What this bill will do if the proposed 
enhancements are granted, it will give survivors, victims, an 
access to heal, and get those resources. But in regard to 
holding perpetrators accountable on our land for their actions, 
that I think falls outside of FVPSA's funding.
    But kind of goes into Department of Justice. But if there 
are some considerations and measures and additional funds, we 
would gladly take it.
    Mr. Schlater. And it probably wouldn't be within our 
jurisdiction. It would probably be in the Judiciary Committee, 
but I know when I was on the Judiciary Committee, we had some 
problems. You mentioned hotlines. How effective are they?
    Ms. Schlater. They are actually a lifeline. We've noticed 
an uptick in calls to the Native Hotline, so we've also noticed 
on the National Hotline, as they're parenting the StrongHearts 
Native Help Line currently, that a lot of Native callers will 
call in, but if they don't get connected to the Native Hotline, 
prior to them going 24/7, they would wait until they could talk 
to a Native advocate on the hotline.
    And so, the Native Hotline is gathering a lot of tribal 
resources and data that are specific to the survivors that can 
get connected to their lifelines back in their tribal nations.
    Mr. Scott. Thank you, Madam Chair. I yield back.
    Chairwoman Bonamici. Thank you, Chairman Scott. I now 
recognize Representative McBath from Georgia for five minutes 
for your questions.
    Ms. McBath. Thank you so much, Madam Chair, and to all of 
the subcommittee Members. Thank you so much for having this 
important hearing today and allowing me to take part in it. And 
I want to thank all of our witnesses today for sharing their 
expertise and insight, and just thank you so much for all the 
preventive measures that you take to protect women and 
families.
    Since it was first authorized in 1984, I'm so sorry, and I 
just lost my remarks for a second. Hold on. Oh goodness hold 
on. I knew that was going to happen. It's been happening all 
day. OK. Since it was first authorized in 1984, the Family 
Violence Prevention and Services Act has provided the resources 
and funding necessary for shelters and organizations to help 
survivors of domestic and dating violence.
    And in that time however, we've learned, you know, there 
are far better methods for prevention and support. And that's 
why last Congress I introduced the Family Violence Prevention 
and Services Improvement Act, FVPSA, with Representatives Gwen 
Moore, Tom Cole and Katko, John Katko.
    And I look forward to reintroducing this legislation again, 
thus we can provide more equitable resources and access to 
funding for all communities. Madam Chair, I think we've already 
done so, I'd like to enter into the record a letter of support 
we've already provided, that's been signed by 19 organizations 
stating their support for the FVPSA Improvement Act of 2019, 
and their desire for the passage of the comprehensive FVPSA 
legislation during this Congress.
    Chairwoman Bonamici. Without objection.
    Ms. McBath. Thank you. As the new and improved methods of 
prevention have been discovered over the years, so too has the 
link between intimate partner violence and gun violence. 
According to the Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence, about 
4.5 million women in the United States have been threatened 
with a gun, and nearly 1 million women have been shot or shot 
at by an intimate partner.
    Women are also five times more likely to be murdered when 
their abuser has access to firearms. And in my home State of 
Georgia, 73 percent of reported domestic violence related 
deaths were committed by firearms in 2019 alone.
    Dr. Miller, my questions are for you. Could you please 
speak to how these efforts to reduce gun violence and murder 
are such an intrinsic part of a comprehensive plan to prevent 
intimate partner violence?
    Dr. Miller. Absolutely. And I want to begin first by 
saying, Representative McBath, thank you so much for your 
leadership on this issue, knowing that it is deeply personal 
for you. And I'm just incredibly grateful for your lifting up 
the intersections of different forms of violence.
    So, we know, right, that intimate partner violence is 
inextricably linked with gun violence, and violent loss in our 
communities. And when I talk about violence prevention, we were 
talking about trauma sensitive school practices, for example, 
or positive parenting strategies.
    Ways to create safe and supportive environments. Those 
kinds of cross cutting violence prevention strategies where we 
bring in our faith-based organizations, our healthcare systems, 
our community organizations, those cross cutting preventions 
will also reduce gun violence and murder, and that is why the 
CDC has invested so much in prevention around influential 
adults and peers, safe and supportive environments as well as 
economic supports for our families, because we know that's what 
is needed to create safer communities.
    But certainly, as a pediatrician, and somebody currently 
working in schools, I also want to lift up what Representative 
Bowman was identifying as a former middle school teacher. We 
currently are in the midst of this pandemic doing work 
virtually with young people who have been exposed to violence 
in our middle schools here in Pittsburgh.
    Over 60 percent of the young people in our research study 
have experienced violent loss. That means losing a friend or 
loved one to murder. It is extraordinary exposure to violence 
that our young people are facing, and those of us who are on 
this call together have an obligation to work together to end 
gun violence, and intimate partner violence. So, I'm grateful 
to you for that question.
    Ms. McBath. Well, absolutely. Thank you so much. And Dr. 
Miller, I know that you've also done some research on the 
impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on intimate partner violence. 
Can you share some of what you learned about how prepared 
service providers were for the pandemic, and what needs to be 
done moving forward to ensure that intimate partner violence 
providers are prepared for any future emergencies such as 
COVID-19?
    Dr. Miller. Absolutely. Thank you. So, I have had the 
immense privilege of working with the CDC and the American 
Academy of Pediatrics in Futures Without Violence, on a project 
interviewing intimate partner violence. victim service 
advocates, as well as child welfare workers, and 
administrators.
    Domestic violence coalitions across the country, to 
understand how they have responded to this pandemic. And I have 
to say the victims service advocates were my heroes long before 
the pandemic, they certainly taught me everything I know about 
how manage and support survivors.
    But they are like way up there in triple gold stars now, 
because what they have accomplished with almost nothing in 
terms of resources, has been extraordinary. Incredibly nimble 
ways of supporting survivors. Ms. Novoryta earlier was talking 
about the importance of privacy.
    We had heard from advocates who had figures out all kinds 
of clever solutions for interacting with survivors in ways that 
support their privacy and safety. And what we are learning is 
that we were woefully unprepared for this, and we can do so 
much better.
    Because it turns out that even in my city of Pittsburgh, 
intimate partner violence, child abuse, was not part of our 
emergency preparedness plan. That's changing, right? Because 
moving and coming out of this pandemic we recognize the victim 
services have to be much more robust. We have to be able to 
much more nimbly respond, because suddenly you know, congregate 
living in shelter was not a safe option, so.
    Ms. McBath. Thank you so much for your answers. I yield 
back.
    Chairwoman Bonamici. Thank you. We do have another Member 
joining us. Representative Spartz from Indiana, I recognize you 
for five minutes for your questions.
    Ms. Spartz. Thank you very much. I appreciate it, it's 
important conversation. And I think it's you know, a pandemic 
puts a lot of different things you know to a different 
perspective, and really kind of brought to our attention.
    What I want to ask, Ms. Novoryta, what do you believe how 
we can do a better job to individualize services to meet family 
needs and survivors where they are to make sure that we have 
more on the ground tailored services? If you have any ideas and 
could share with us.
    Ms. Novoryta. Sure. Absolutely. So, this healing journey is 
a very long process with many ups and down. Every survivor's 
experience has been different. Everybody's journey is going to 
be different as well.
    Many victims who come to us are not yet prepared to safely 
exit their situation. We do know that on average, the average 
survivor leaves their abuser seven times before they safely, 
fully leave. So, the work that we do at charities and so many 
of the other organizations that are being lifted up today help 
each person to create a plan to stay safe, understands their 
options and know that they are not alone.
    It may take years, but we are right there with survivors, 
accompanying them in their journey. Meeting with the victims of 
domestic violence where they are, can mean meeting them in 
houses of worship. In preparation for today's discussion one of 
our counselors shared with me the experience of a woman who had 
been experiencing domestic violence for many years.
    She and her 10-year-old son came to church regularly, and 
one Sunday in the homily a speaker who was there on behalf of 
Catholic Charities gave a sermon about domestic violence, 
saying that the church did not condone staying in a violent 
marriage, and shared where to seek help.
    This woman reached out to Catholic Charities and she shared 
with her counselor, who I spoke with in preparation for today, 
that her 10-year-old soon sparked that outreach. He told his 
mom as they left service that day, hey, he was talking about 
you. He was talking about us.
    We have so many different clients who come to us, and so 
many different situations, and at different points on their 
journey. We had one client recently who called because her 
physically abusive boyfriend is being released from jail.
    She has no support. She is unemployed, and he is returning 
home. She's single, so her options currently for shelters are 
quite limited. We stayed on the phone with her and helped her 
create a safety plan in that moment and worked with her to 
secure transportation and placement at an emergency shelter the 
next day.
    Another client called us recently for counseling. She has 
an order of protection and two children. She is employed, and 
wants to remain in her apartment, and we are providing 
counseling for her and her children, and helping her go to the 
court to amend her order of protection, creating that safety 
plan, and providing her with the linkages that she needs for 
food, to legal services, to kind of the whole gamut.
    So I think here to your question and kind of the need to 
tailor services, those are three specific examples of women who 
have come to us at different points in their journey, in very 
different life situations, and really the expertise of the 
folks on the ground that we get to lift up today is essential 
to provide that trauma informed and client centered support, 
you know, an accompaniment along the journey.
    Mr. Spartz. Just quickly to followup. Can you share some 
best practices? It seems to me it would take collaboration of a 
lot of different groups and entities. And sometimes it's very 
fragmented different things and services. Could you share some 
best practices you've seen of great collaboration of different 
organizations on the ground?
    Ms. Novoryta. Absolutely. You know, I think one of the 
things that's happening in Illinois right now, which is really 
exciting, is a new alliance again, actually in the midst of 
COVID. And it's called the Alliance for Shared Safety. And what 
the Alliance for Shared Safety is doing, is it's bringing 
together advocates and organizations in different spaces.
    So, bringing together folks from gun violence spaces, from 
domestic violence, doing criminal justice system reform, and 
folks who are kind of experiencing community violence. I think 
one of the things that's really powerful with that 
collaboration is recognizing the intersectionality of the 
issues, and they were successful.
    We were successful in Illinois earlier in 2020 in bringing 
Federal dollars and some CARES dollars in a more integrated 
fashion, directly to organizations serving victims of violence. 
I think that's a really exciting collaboration to keep an eye 
on.
    Ms. Spartz. Well, thank you, Madam Chair. I yield back.
    Chairwoman Bonamici. Thank you very much. And that was a 
very meaningful testimony from all of our witnesses today. Now 
we're going to material submitted for the hearing record. I 
remind my colleagues that pursuant to committee practice, 
materials for submission to the hearing record must be 
submitted to the Committee Clerk within 14 days following the 
last day of the hearing, so by close of business on April 5 of 
2021, preferably in Microsoft Word format.
    Only a Member of the subcommittee, or an invited witness 
may submit materials for inclusion in the hearing record. 
Documents are limited to 50 pages each.
    Documents longer than 50 pages will be incorporated into 
the record via an internet link that you must provide to the 
Committee Clerk within the required timeframe, but please 
recognize that in the future that link may not longer work.
    And at this time, because Representative McBath is on the 
Full Committee, but not on the subcommittee, I offer for 
inclusion into the record the materials that Representative 
McBath offered in support of the policy we're discussing today 
and those will be admitted without objection.
    Pursuant to House rules and regulations, items for the 
record should be submitted to the clerk electronically by e-
mailing submissions to [email protected]. 
Member offices are encouraged to submit materials to the inbox 
before the hearing, or during the hearing at the time the 
Member makes the request.
    Again, I want to thank each of our witnesses for their 
participation today. Members of the subcommittees may have some 
additional questions for you. We ask the witnesses to please 
respond to these questions in writing. The hearing record will 
be held open for 14 days in order to receive these responses, 
and I remind my colleagues that pursuant to committee practice, 
witness questions for the hearing must be submitted to the 
Majority Committee Staff or Committee Clerk within 7 days.
    The questions submitted must address the subject matter of 
the hearing. And I now recognize the distinguished Ranking 
Member, Ranking Member Fulcher for a closing Statement.
    Mr. Fulcher. Thank you, Madam Chair. To those who provided 
testimony today, this is one of those topics that is extremely 
necessary to have a conversation on, but I'll just tell you 
personally for me, it's one of the most difficult.
    Put me down in front of a tax policy, infrastructure or 
foreign policy or resources, and I'm good to go. This one, it 
hits you where you live really quick. So, thank you for what 
you do. You've got a skill set and a knowledge base that I'm 
not as blessed with, but I know how important it is.
    And Madam Chair, we probably agree on more of these things 
than we do on some of these other meetings today. But we know 
this is a problem. We know it's a significant problem. We know 
that women are extremely vulnerable with this. Multiple 
approaches are very necessary, and notably since 1984, the 
Family Violence Prevention Service Acts provided some vital 
support for survivors and families to State and local 
providers.
    And most recently Congress has included additional support 
over the past year to respond to problems that have arisen due 
to the COVID. But just the high points that I wanted to 
reiterate was the local involvement is just so important. And I 
heard those who provided testimony affirmed that again, in 
areas that I don't have high expertise.
    But I heavily suspect that there's a lot of things that are 
common denominators that have to be addressed that are very 
similar across the board. There are also things that are going 
to be different from place to place, and my hometown of 
Meridian and Boise is probably a little bit different from 
Chicago.
    I mean, I can tell you it's a lot different than Chicago, 
but in terms of these issues there's probably some different 
approaches that are needed in the local, that personal touch, 
that you can do locally has got to be supported.
    I am a huge fan of faith-based involvement with this issue, 
with civic groups it adds to that local side, and I think Ms. 
Novoryta, you articulated why that is very well-positioned to 
deal with these types of things. There's just some things that 
we can't do in government.
    There are some things we can't do from Washington, DC, but 
Madam Chair that's my closing comment. To Ms. Novoryta, Dr. 
Miller, Ms. Schlater and Ms. Timmons, thank you for who you 
are, what you do. You're appreciated. Madam Chair, I yield 
back.
    Chairwoman Bonamici. Thank you very much. And I now 
recognize myself for the purpose of making a closing Statement. 
I want to again thank our witnesses for guiding us through 
today's hearing. You each brought a particular expertise and 
answered our questions in a very meaningful way.
    Intimate partner violence is a public health threat that we 
cannot ignore. I'm glad this has been a bipartisan 
conversation, and I look forward to working with my colleagues 
on both sides of the aisle to address this issue, and I 
especially of course we need the investment, and we also need 
to have that investment in prevention.
    The increased rates of domestic violence during the 
pandemic have brought renewed attention to the urgent need to 
expand equitable strategies that prevent intimate partner 
violence and save lives. But let's be clear, this crisis is 
about much more than what's happened over just the past year, 
it's about the countless survivors across the country who for 
years have lived each day with the trauma of intimate partner 
violence.
    For the health of our constituents and our communities, we 
must do everything we can to support survivors and eradicate 
intimate partner violence whenever and wherever it occurs. I am 
again, committed to working with my colleagues on both sides of 
the aisle to take meaningful evidence-based action to provide 
survivors with the support that they need, and to prevent 
intimate partner violence from happening in the first place.
    I want to close by again encouraging anyone who needs 
support or help to visit www.thehotline.org or call 1-800-799-
SAFE. If there is no further business without objection the 
subcommittee stands adjourned. Thank you again.
    [Additional submission by Ms. McBath follow:]
    [GRAPHICS NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
    

    [Whereupon, at 1:51 p.m., the subcommittee was adjourned.]

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