When Safety Becomes Political

How Current Federal Policies Are Endangering Survivors of Domestic Abuse

By Sara Stanley, Executive Director of HAWC - Healing Abuse Working for Change

In 2025, survivors of domestic and sexual violence are facing more than the trauma of abuse—they’re confronting mounting barriers to safety created by harmful shifts in policy. These changes at both federal and state levels are making it harder for service providers to do our jobs, for families to feel secure, and for survivors to access the support they need.

One of the most troubling developments stems from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), which has introduced new funding rules that prohibit organizations from framing domestic violence as a systemic issue tied to misogyny, racism, and economic inequality. Instead, providers must treat abuse strictly as isolated, individual crimes.

This may seem like a bureaucratic detail, but the impact is significant. Survivors’ experiences are shaped not just by their abusers’ actions, but by cultural norms, structural inequities, and historical patterns of marginalization. When we are forced to ignore those realities, we cannot provide the holistic, trauma-informed care survivors need—or advance meaningful prevention.

The threat doesn’t stop at funding restrictions. New federal directives now allow third-party legal action against organizations suspected of violating these conditions. This creates a chilling effect among service providers, who now face legal and financial risks for acknowledging the complex roots of gender-based violence. These constraints not only silence critical conversations—they jeopardize trust and compromise the safety of the people we serve.

At Jane Doe Inc. (JDI), the Massachusetts coalition of domestic and sexual violence service providers, we’ve joined partners across the country to challenge these rules in court. A temporary stay has allowed us to apply for vital federal funding without abandoning our values. As the incoming president of JDI’s board, I’m proud of our leadership in defending the rights of survivors and the integrity of our work.

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Unfortunately, federal overreach isn’t the only policy issue putting survivors at risk. Here in Massachusetts, funding for domestic and sexual violence services was cut by $7 million for fiscal year 2026—with another $12 million expected to be cut from the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance (MOVA) in FY27. These aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet—they represent fewer shelter beds, fewer counselors, and fewer legal advocates. These cuts translate directly into fewer options and more danger for survivors.

We’ve also seen how immigration enforcement practices increase risks for vulnerable families. In Lynn, Massachusetts, immigration officials recently conducted an enforcement action outside an elementary school as parents walked their children to class. Incidents like this traumatize communities and make families afraid to send children to school—often the only safe place for a child experiencing violence at home. When fear keeps children from attending school, it can trigger intervention from child protective services, compounding trauma and causing long-term family disruption.

Nationwide, stepped-up immigration enforcement—regardless of arrest outcomes—has led to a chilling effect where fewer survivors are willing to report abuse. Many fear that calling police will lead to the deportation of a partner, the loss of income, or the breakup of their family. These are impossible choices no one should have to make.

Meanwhile, cuts to safety net programs and barriers to healthcare are raising the stakes for those trying to leave an abusive partner. Without housing assistance, food support, or reproductive healthcare, many survivors are left with no safe exit.

These challenges are not isolated to one party, state, or political ideology—they are the result of policy choices. And policy choices can change.

We need leaders at every level of government to stand up for survivors. That means restoring and expanding funding for domestic and sexual violence services. It means supporting immigration policies that protect—not punish—those who seek help. And it means acknowledging that abuse is not just a private tragedy, but a public issue rooted in injustice and inequality.

At HAWC, we are committed to driving this change through advocacy, education, and collaboration—but we can’t do it alone. We need the public—especially women and allies who care about equity and safety—to speak up, get informed, and take action.

Because when public policy endangers survivors, silence is not an option.

If you are experiencing abuse, you are not alone. Call HAWC Monday through Friday, 9am–5pm, at 978-744-8552, or contact our 24/7 Emergency Hotline at 1-800-547-1649. For more information or to get involved, visit www.hawcdv.org.

If you believe in a world where survivors are heard, supported, and safe—now is the time to act. You can support HAWC’s mission by donating, volunteering, or becoming a Community Ambassador. Together, we can build a future where everyone—regardless of gender, race, income, or immigration status—can live free from violence and fear.