Advocates for victims of domestic violence are excited about a bill in the Indiana General Assembly that would double the amount of money currently available to groups – and hopeful that the release of the funds happens in a timely and less controversial manner this year.
Rep. Julie Olthoff, R-Crown Point, said House Bill 1007 will increase funding from $2.5 million to $5 million annually for domestic violence and treatment programs. In addition, the state will spend $1 million to fund a sexual assault victims assistance account. Olthoff co-authored the bill, which passed unanimously out of the Committee on Family, Children and Human Affairs last week.
"In committee, we were inundated with statistics and the impacts," Olthoff said. "We hope prevention programs will emerge, particularly in counties with a high incidence of domestic violence but without a shelter. This really presents an opportunity. We heard testimony about victims riding their bikes for miles, sometimes into the next county, for help."
Shelters and other groups that assist victims face a high demand for their services, particularly since NFL running back Ray Rice was videotaped knocking his wife unconscious in a casino elevator last year.
Laura Berry, executive director of the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, said the funding is sorely needed.
"There's been this whole push showing our incredible need," Berry said. "Never have sexual assault services been funded in Indiana. So it's exciting that we'll potentially have funding to help sexual assault."
Berry hopes the process of approving grant applications and dispensing the money by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute is better this year. Last September, the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence critized Gov. Mike Pence, accusing his administration of cutting needed funding. Though Pence denied that was the case, his administration cut $340,000 from the program in 2013 and allowed $448,000 to revert back to the state even though groups had requested more funding. As a result, groups were having to institute hiring freezes and even take out a line of credit.
Even after groups filled out detailed grant applications, the ICJI was requesting additional funding information. Eventually $1.9 million was released to groups, with an additional $1.2 million subject to additional detail.
"I'm extremely hopeful about that process will go much smoother this year and that the dollars will go out better," Berry said. "The (ICJI) said they've working diligently to get the money out to meet needs, so I'm hopeful."
Berry's group has met with represenatives from Pence's office, the ICJI, and legislators like Rep. Olthoff in recent months to try and make a "smoother process."
"The ICADV has put our faith in the Governor's liaisons that seem dedicated to make sure process is good," Berry said. "I have to believe ICJI means that as well because resources and funding are critical."