Ed’s note: This is the third in a series of posts examining the impacts of Mayor McGinn’s proposed 2011-2012 budget on southeast Seattle.
The City’s Human Services Department is facing a 9.5% – or $460,000 – reduction in domestic violence and sexual assault prevention funding for the only programs in the region available to low-income batterers.
There are three Domestic Violence Batterers Intervention Programs in the City that provide State mandated batterers’ Intervention Program to poor men, including Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS) in the Rain-King area, Navos and Wellspring Family Services in North Rainier.
“The goal of batterers intervention programs is the safety of women and children,” says Wellspring spokesperson Patricia Gray. “Changing batterer’s behavior is the only way to end the crisis of domestic violence in our community.”
She added, “The mayor’s budget contends that DV intervention doesn’t work, but that’s far from the truth. For 20 years now, we’ve seen incredible results from the thousands of men who’ve graduated our program – our success rate (no more physical or emotional abuse) averages 90% and we confirm this with current and past partners, as well as observation by our therapists.”
“This funding cut will eliminate the current subsidies we receive to cover the program costs for low-income men. Because the primary goal of the program is to protect women and children, this puts the low-income families at high risk of repeated incidences of domestic violence.”
From the budget:
Human Services Department: Programs where outcome measures suggest limited effectiveness. For example, in the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention division, the Proposed Budget eliminates funding for subsidies that reduce the fee charged to low-income batterers who are mandated to attend batterers? intervention programs. This change was identified because there are unclear results on the success of the programs.
Today, SeattleCrime.com is reporting that Councilmember Tim Burgess says the council will work to preserve funding for domestic violence prevention programs.
Last year, at the grand opening celebration of Wellspring Family Services, Mayor Greg Nichels congratulated the organization for its “dedication to service and a job well done.” Photo/Marsha Kuykendall
Related:
- Rainier Valley Budget Implication #2: Goodbye DOC Work Crew (9/29/10)
- SE Budget Implication #1: ALL Current Hours Preserved; NewHolly May Lose Librarian (9/28/10)
- Mayor Promises to Follow Through on $20 Million Promise to Rebuild Rainier Beach Community Center (9/27/10)
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