New Jersey’s FY16 State Budget includes an appropriation for sexual violence services totaling $4.1M – a $2.8M increase over last year. The appropriation will support New Jersey’s twenty-one county-based sexual assault service organizations, and NJCASA. With this funding, providers may expand counseling availability, intensify community outreach efforts, increase hotline support, and strengthen additional services in their community.
“We extend our appreciation to the State Legislature and Governor Christie and his administration for recognizing the critical needs met by our providers,” said Patricia Teffenhart, Executive Director of NJCASA.
Statistics indicate that 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men in the United States will be a victim of sexual assault in their lifetime. As the national discourse around the impact and prevalence of sexual violence increases, so does the understanding of the needs of sexual assault survivors and the complex ways in which lives are impacted by this trauma.
“Our organization is committed to providing essential services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This investment of state funding will allow us to hire and retain the additional qualified staff necessary to best serve sexual assault survivors. We are proud to be a part of the New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault and appreciate the role they play in amplifying our voice and articulating our needs. This budget success couldn’t have happened without them,” said Jill Zinckgraf, Executive Director of Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault Crisis Center of Warren County.
