GREENSBORO, N.C. — President Joe Biden recently signed a $1.7 trillion government funding bill that will provide $700 million toward combating violence against women across the country. 

What You Need To Know 

Congress recently passed a government funding bill for $1.7 trillion that will provide $700 million toward combating violence against women across the country

The North Carolina Department of Public Safety reported there were 148 victims of homicide related to domestic violence in 2021 alone

An advocate for Family Service of the Piedmont, a group that offers those resources, said the need for their services is growing every day  

The Senate passed the omnibus Dec. 22, the House on Dec. 23. and Biden signed the measure last Thursday.

The money will be divided among 26 initiatives, including grants to provide services to advocate for and respond to youth victims of domestic violence, grants for outreach to provide resources to underserved populations and other similar services.

Many sexual assault and domestic violence programs that qualify for funding through the N.C. Council for Women & Youth Involvement fit the eligibility to receive those grants.

It is the highest level of funding for domestic violence prevention, according to the Biden administration.

Counselors believe this will mean more resources for women trying to leave difficult situations. 

The North Carolina Department of Public Safety reported there were 148 victims of homicide related to domestic violence in 2021.  

An advocate for Family Service of the Piedmont, an organization that offers resources, said the need for their services is growing daily.    

“We have seen an increase. I will say it does increase during the school year. Sometimes, we see moms come in with their kiddos four and five at a time,” explained bilingual advocate Cynthia Gatica.

She said resources like this could mean the difference between life and death for many people experiencing domestic violence.

“We provide counseling and safety planning. We also do DDIP, domestic violence intervention, so abusers receive help, and do not go into anger management. We also do a support group, and we are trying to get a bilingual support group, so funding could help with that,” Gatica said.

The agency says they have helped over 17,000 victims.

The bill funds government spending through the 2023 fiscal year, which runs through the end of September.