Reject President Bush's Proposed FY09 Federal Budget

We, The Undersigned, are outraged with President Bush's Fiscal Year 2009 Federal Budget proposal. The cuts contained in the budget would strike a severe blow to the survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault by eliminating $120 million from the Violence Against Women Act, and revoking all funding for the Victims of Crime Act.

These funds are currently used by such non-profit organizations as A Woman's Fund and Rape Crisis Services to pay for Legal Advocates, who provide free legal services to sexual assault and domestic violence survivors. Legal advocates enable survivors to comprehend their legal and medical rights and to navigate the criminal justice system. For instance, their legal expertise is often required in obtaining Orders of Protection and Civil No Contact Orders.

In addition, the funds pay for trained therapists who offer free counseling and support to the survivors and families affected by domestic and sexual violence.

Another casualty of the budget cuts would be the Prevention Educators paid for by the Violence Against Women Act. Without these educators, this program would lose its ability to provide children from local schools (from preschool to high school) with workshops about healthy relationships, sexual harassment, bullying, and child abuse.

The measure of a great society is how it treats its victims. The budget proposed by President Bush neglects the victims in our society, and denies services to millions of domestic and sexual violence survivors. We strongly urge you to oppose President Bush's FY09 Federal Budget proposal.