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| Crime victims getting stimulus money |
| By google.com |
| Published: 09/29/2009 |
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MINNEAPOLIS — The government's economic stimulus money isn't just for hard hats, contractors and teachers. It's also keeping battered women's advocates on the job and compensating crime victims for lost wages and uncovered medical costs. The government is spending $225 million in stimulus money on programs that deal with violence against women, and $100 million more to help victims of crime. This comes amid a general decline in private and state funding for such programs. The money is spread among states, territories, American Indian tribes and nonprofit social service providers. "This is critical survival money to keep emergency crisis shelters open," said Rita Smith, head of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Domestic violence and other programs have been laying off workers as private donations shrink and states including California and Illinois cut their domestic violence budgets. Advocates are reporting more violence in crimes — even as the FBI says the number of violent crimes declined slightly in 2008 for the second year — and needier victims as support systems fray in the bad economy, said Susan Howley at the National Center for Victims of Crime. Foundations and big donors are giving less, while some deficit-ridden states have cut aid to the programs, Howley said. Many are laying off workers. Some are even closing their doors for good. Fighting crime was one of the rationales for the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act — but most of the focus has been on police, not victims. "These funds are a vital component in our effort to not just revive our economy, but to build a new foundation for lasting prosperity and security," President Barack Obama said in March. "By keeping police officers on the streets whose jobs were threatened by budget cuts and ensuring states and municipalities have the tools and equipment necessary to fight crime, this money will simultaneously help jump-start the American economy and protect our citizens." Read More. |
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