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Noon Edition

Indiana's Efforts to Prevent Domestic Violence

A domestic violence victim shows her burn scars.

By Kasey Chronis

Recent fear of statewide budget cuts to domestic violence programs has been put to rest, but there are still issues as far as where the money is going.

Today’s Noon Edition discussed the state’s priorities for domestic violence funding.

In mid-September, the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute voted to provide the same amount of money to shelters as it did last year. ICJI has expedited the funds - totaling close to $750,000 - to 43 domestic violence shelters in Indiana. That money will be added to the Domestic Violence Prevention and Treatment Fund (DVPT).

Brandon Smith, Indiana Public Broadcasting statehouse reporter who joined the program explain the back and forth that's been going on over the past few weeks, says there has been constant miscommunication regarding the funds.

“There is very little clear communication going on in any direction about what the CJI needs from shelters in order to disperse the money, what exactly the money is used for,” Smith says. “It’s a very unnecessarily complicated situation.”

Toby Strout, executive director of Middle Way House in Bloomington, says the money apportioned for shelters is restricted to prevention use only. It will not go toward basic and emergency work on a daily basis.

“I could really use that money for the 24 hour, 365 day a year stuff that we do, and that’s not going to happen,” Strout says

Strout says that Middle Way House receives $100,000 each year to serve six counties in South Central Indiana. The nonprofit currently offers 299 separate counseling sessions for victims of abuse, but due to the tight budget, funding won’t allow for more.

State funds have been put on the fast track so that shelters receive it as soon as possible, due to the negative feedback the state has received in recent weeks. Now, shelters just need to submit budget plans on how the money will be used.

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