New Funding Restrictions Threaten Critical Services for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Survivors, LGBTQI+ Youth, and Unhoused Communities
Rhode Island – A nationwide coalition of domestic violence, sexual assault, housing, youth, and homelessness organizations filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump-Vance administration’s sweeping and unlawful conditions placed on federal grant funding from the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These new funding restrictions target diversity, equity, inclusion, and transgender rights, putting life-saving services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, LGBTQI+ youth, and unhoused communities at risk.
The coalition, which includes state coalitions and service providers from across the country, is asking the court to block the administration from enforcing requirements that push grantees to restrict or deny diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, censor support for transgender individuals, and certify compliance with broad anti-equity mandates, or else face severe penalties, including liability under the False Claims Act. In some programs, the administration has also extended anti-abortion restrictions.
Plaintiffs in the case include Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, California Partnership To End Domestic Violence, Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault, District Of Columbia Coalition Against Domestic Violence, End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin: The Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Idaho Coalition Against Sexual And Domestic Violence, Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Jane Doe Inc. (The Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault And Domestic Violence), Kansas Coalition Against Sexual And Domestic Violence, Montana Coalition Against Domestic And Sexual Violence, North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Oregon Coalition Against Domestic And Sexual Violence, Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, ValorUS, Violence Free Minnesota, Virginia Sexual And Domestic Violence Action Alliance, Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault, House of Hope Community Development Corporation, Community Care Alliance, Foster Forward, Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness, and Haus of Codec.
The plaintiffs are represented by Democracy Forward; Jacobson Lawyers Group; National Women’s Law Center; Amy Romero and Mary Dunn for the Lawyers’ Committee for Rhode Island; and Lynette Labinger for the ACLU Foundation of Rhode Island.
Plaintiff and co-counsel quotes are available here.
Created and authorized by Congress, the affected programs – such as programs under the Violence Against Women Act, the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, and the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act – have long provided critical support to organizations that serve survivors, families, youth, and unhoused individuals. Through politically motivated funding conditions, the administration is undermining Congress’s clear intent, threatening the effectiveness of these programs, and jeopardizing services that vulnerable communities across the country depend on.
The case is Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence v. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. et al.
To read the complaint, please click here.
Media contact(s):
Ian Henderson (He/Him/His), Director of Legal & Systems Services
Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault (WCASA)
608-257-1516; ianh@wcasa.org
Elise Buchbinder (She/Her/Hers), Communications Director
End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin (End Abuse)
608-237-3986; eliseb@endabusewi.org
Note to Media:
We encourage reporters to include the National Domestic Violence Hotline [1−800−799−SAFE (7233)] and the National Sexual Assault Hotline [1-800-656-4673] in their stories for victims who need help.
A list of local Wisconsin domestic violence victim service providers can be found at www.endabusewi.org/get-help. A list of local WI sexual assault victim service providers can be found at www.wcasa.org/survivors/service-providers.
The Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault (WCASA, www.wcasa.org) is a statewide coalition driven by our mission to create social change to end sexual violence. We offer training, support, and policy advocacy to enhance responses to sexual violence and work toward prevention. While our efforts extend to state and national levels, we are committed to supporting and complementing the work of local sexual assault service provider (SASP) agencies across Wisconsin.
End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin: The Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence (End Abuse, www.endabusewi.org) is the leading voice for victims of domestic abuse in Wisconsin. At End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin, we educate shelter and program volunteers and advocates, law enforcement, legislators, and community members to provide safety and support to survivors. We strive to shift Wisconsin from the attitudes and beliefs that cause domestic violence to values of mutual respect and equity, and we partner with communities in the effort to prevent and end domestic abuse.