INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Democratic Party, the organization that advocates for the future of Indiana and its families, today celebrated how President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan is still delivering for the Hoosiers. This time, the COVID-19 relief law is investing in services for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors across Indiana. The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute awarded $3.5 million to nonprofits to provide remote services, emergency shelter, and related assistance to Hoosiers experiencing domestic abuse. According to the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, intimate partner-related deaths in Indiana increased by 181% during the pandemic. These investments by Indiana Democrats like André Carson and Frank Mrvan will help shelters improve their services for those affected by domestic violence and sexual assault throughout the state.
In contrast, the Indiana Republican Party said “NO” to this brighter future. Politicians like U.S. Senator Todd Young voted “NO” on these investments, and in fact, Indiana GOP Chairman Kyle Hupfer called this project “socialism” – claiming this opposition was a “great campaign to run on”. Throughout the 2022 elections (and beyond), Democrats will highlight how the Indiana GOP has no plan for Indiana’s future – just a divisive partisan agenda.
Here’s a look at how the American Rescue Plan continues to deliver for the Hoosier State:
ICJI: ICJI has awarded 46 nonprofits a total of nearly $3.5 million in federal grants to improve services for survivors of family violence and sexual assault.
“The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) has awarded 46 nonprofits a total of nearly $3.5 million in federal grants to improve services for survivors of family violence and sexual assault. These grants were awarded through the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) program with American Rescue Plan funds.
“With this funding, we will be helping organizations provide critical care support to individuals who may be trying to escape from an abusive situation or were just victimized,” said Devon McDonald, ICJI Executive Director. “For us, it’s essential to have the resources in place to, not only prevent family violence, but also accommodate and support survivors in their time of need.”
Last year, ICJI received supplemental funding through the American Rescue Plan to offer two new grants under FVPSA – one specifically designed to support survivors of sexual assault. Altogether, both grants are intended to help organizations offset certain costs associated with providing these critical services during the pandemic.
Funding will be used for the purchasing of technology to provide remote services, testing kits and cleaning supplies, employee retention and hiring, emergency preparedness, safety planning and more.”
###
