Stable Funding Matters, Help Protect Life‑Saving Services for Survivors in Clark County
Every survivor deserves safety, healing, and support. But right now, those resources are at risk in Southwest Washington.
YWCA Clark County is joining advocates across the state to call on legislators to protect funding for domestic violence and sexual assault programs. Without additional investment from the state, local survivors could soon face fewer options, longer waits, or — in some cases — nowhere to turn at all.
The Need: $21.3 Million to Protect Safety and Healing
This session, advocates are asking for $21.3 million in the SFY27 Washington State Budget to stabilize essential crime victim services across Washington. These funds would ensure programs remain open and available — keeping crisis lines answered, shelters staffed, and advocates on call when survivors need them most.
Flat or reduced funding could mean devastating cuts for communities like ours.
“Survivors in Southwest Washington should not pay the price for a state budget shortfall. We are asking our legislators to expand funding so that we can keep 24/7 hospital advocacy, support groups, and emergency shelter fully available to everyone who needs them in Clark County.”
What’s at Stake for Clark County
If this funding doesn’t move forward, YWCA Clark County’s critical services could be scaled back. That includes:
24/7 Hospital Advocacy: Our trauma-informed advocates meet survivors of sexual assault or domestic violence in local emergency departments — including Legacy Salmon Creek and PeaceHealth Southwest. Without proper funding, survivors could be left to navigate medical and legal systems alone.
Survivor Support Groups: These groups help adults and youth process trauma, rebuild safety, and find solidarity. Cuts could mean fewer opportunities for connection and healing.
Emergency Shelter: Southwest Washington’s only domestic violence shelter may have to reduce capacity, limiting how many families we can keep safe each night.
In a region already grappling with high housing costs, survivors should never have to choose between homelessness and staying with an abusive partner.
How You Can Help
Your voice can make a difference. Residents of Vancouver and Clark County can help protect these services by:
Contacting your state legislators. Tell them why stable survivor services matter to you.
Sharing this issue with friends, family, and local networks to raise awareness.
Encouraging others to join the call for full funding of domestic and sexual violence programs in Washington State.
Together, we can make sure survivors continue to find safety, compassion, and hope — right here in our community.
Contact Info & Templates
Search for your address and select each of your state district legislators to view their phone number via Find My District
Outreach suggested template/script:
Subject: Please Support $21.38 Million for Crime Victim Services
Hello [Legislator’s Name],
My name is [Your Name], and I am a constituent from [Your City or District]. I’m writing to urge you to support $21.38 million in funding for crime victim services in the final budget.
Survivors are told they should not have to endure abuse — and that help will be there when they reach out. That promise only holds if services are actually available.
While we appreciate that the Governor included $12 million in the budget, this is only half of what is needed to prevent programs from closing their doors.
Without full funding, survivors may face unanswered crisis lines, no shelter beds, and no access to advocacy or safety planning. This is a life-saving system — and it is at risk right now.
I urge you to ask the budget writers to include the full $21.38 million investment to ensure survivors across our state can access the help they are promised.
Thank you for your time and your commitment to survivor safety.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]
