Proposed cuts to domestic violence and sexual assault centers

The Brunswick News

Gov. Nathan Deal is proposing to cut $4.5 million in state funding for domestic violence and sexual assault centers and replace it with federal money, but domestic violence prevention groups say that's not a good idea.
They said the money-saving measure - a suggested budget cut to help offset the loss of state revenue - is not a fair swap. Glynn Community Crisis Center Executive Director Mary Hogan said the federal government would give centers the same amount of money, but it would come with restrictions. 

The funding would come from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, a federal program to aid troubled households. It can be used to help domestic violence victims who have children but not for abused women who don't. 

The center gets funding to run programs like the Amity House Shelter in Brunswick with money from state and local governments, as well as from private fundraisers, Hogan said.

State funding can be used however the center needs it, but the federal money would only help some of the center's clients.

That would mean the center would have to reshuffle spending or look for more money to serve childless battered women.

"Off hand, I know right now we have four women currently sheltered out of the seven who would not qualify for (federal) funds," Hpgan said. "We would have to look for other means to support those women."

There were 823 reports of domestic violence in Brunswick and Glynn County in 2010.