Cornyn: National Domestic Violence Hotline to Receive Nearly $19M to Support Survivors
October 16, 2025
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Family Violence Prevention and Services (OFVPS) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) announced that the National Domestic Violence Hotline was awarded nearly $19M to continue operating The Hotline’s 24/7 services, based in Austin, Texas, for survivors of domestic violence and their families. This includes first-time funding through the U.S. Department of Defense to provide specialized services to military families experiencing domestic violence:
“For nearly three decades, the National Domestic Violence Hotline based in Austin, Texas, has provided around-the-clock support for survivors of domestic violence and abuse nationwide,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This funding will help The Hotline continue their lifesaving work of giving a voice to the voiceless and providing safety and refuge to those impacted by unimaginable trauma.”
Background:
The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides free, confidential support, crisis intervention, information, education, and referral services to victims of domestic violence. The service has been operated in Austin, Texas, since 1996. Sen. Cornyn sent a letter to Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Acting Assistant Secretary in support of The Hotline continuing to serve as the national domestic violence hotline. The Hotline offers critical support to adult and youth survivors of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence. For many victims, this is the first call they make when seeking safety, guidance, and immediate services for an abusive situation. It is also a critical tool for law enforcement, counselors, and others to help those experiencing violence and abuse. The Hotline connects survivors with resources in their local communities and has helped fill the gap when local programs are overburdened, ensuring that survivors have a 24/7 option.
The DOJ’s OVC award was made possible through the Victims of Crimes Act (VOCA), which Sen. Cornyn has long championed to ensure stability for victim services providers. Sen. Cornyn cosponsored the VOCA Fix Act to stabilize and replenish funding for Victims of Crimes Act (VOCA) grants, which provide critical support for survivors and their families, including shelters, programming at rape crisis centers, and legal services.