Trenton, NJ—On Monday, June 1st, the New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault and our membership programs gathered at the New Jersey State House to advocate for sustained and expanded investment for sexual violence services in our home state.
We spoke with legislators to highlight the necessity of supporting sexual violence programs, raising our ask for the state to protect and strengthen services by making a $23.6 million investment in sexual violence services for FY27. We’re advocating for the state to:
- Preserve the historic $12.2M funding level set in FY2021
- Sustain FY26 $5.9M increase
- Invest $5.5M to strengthen and expand services
This funding will help ensure programs can continue to provide free, 24-hour care while also expanding access to support more survivors and communities throughout the state.
Today, there are an estimated 2.7 million survivors of contact sexual violence living in New Jersey.
In every county, sexual violence programs provide highly specialized, free, and confidential services including a 24-hour hotline, case management, counseling, and accompaniment to hospitals, courts, and police stations, in addition to prevention education and community outreach.
Last year alone, programs served over 142,000 individuals across New Jersey.
These services are essential—but the system is under strain.
We’re currently experiencing approximately $9 million in federal cuts, in addition to funding delays resulting in growing waitlists and staff shortages statewide.
In the face of these federal cuts and delays, we’re calling on New Jersey for support.
While the budget deadline is approaching, there’s still time to join our advocacy efforts.
