Domestic and sexual violence outreach organizations hurt by state budget

This state budget cycle, advocates from the Michigan Coalition to end Domestic and Sexual Violence asked legislators to approve $75 million in state funding to support victim services.

But the newly approved budget only provides $35 million. According to MCEDSV Associate Director Johanna Kononen, the funding was needed to fill gaps left by federal budget cuts for victim services.

"My best guess is that a lot of programs are going to be looking at a 15 to 20% cut which is potentially, you know, staff layoffs. It's potentially reductions in services. It is not negligible.”

MCEDSV allocates state funding to over 70 domestic and sexual violence programs across the state.

Kononen says the full impact is yet to be felt, but every program is expected to take a hit.

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