[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 933 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 933

  Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the 
 critical role of victim service providers in the response to domestic 
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, by supporting 
 victims through the physical, mental, emotional, financial, and legal 
         challenges they may face in the aftermath of violence.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            December 5, 2025

Mrs. Dingell (for herself, Ms. Moore of Wisconsin, Mr. Fitzpatrick, and 
Mrs. Kim) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                       Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the 
 critical role of victim service providers in the response to domestic 
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, by supporting 
 victims through the physical, mental, emotional, financial, and legal 
         challenges they may face in the aftermath of violence.

Whereas, section 40002(a)(43) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 
        U.S.C. 12291(a)(43)), defines the term ``victim service provider'' to 
        mean a nonprofit, nongovernmental, or Tribal organization or rape crisis 
        center, including a State or Tribal coalition, that assists or advocates 
        for domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking 
        victims, including domestic violence shelters, faith-based 
        organizations, and other organizations, with a documented history of 
        effective work concerning domestic violence, dating violence, sexual 
        assault, or stalking;
Whereas victim service providers are often the first people a victim may come in 
        contact with when they reach out for help after experiencing trauma;
Whereas victim service providers are trained to provide trauma-informed care 
        that meets the unique needs of victims;
Whereas victim service providers help connect victims and survivors to 
        community-based organizations and services including legal guidance, 
        counseling, housing assistance, mental health support, and immediate and 
        long-term medical care;
Whereas victim service providers help victims navigate the complexities of--

    (1) the criminal justice system, including seeking protection orders or 
restraining orders, family matters such as divorce, child custody or child 
support, administrative agency proceedings, and consumer or housing 
matters;

    (2) criminal justice investigations, including prosecutions of the 
offender, and post-conviction matters that impact victims' safety, privacy, 
or other interests as a victim;

    (3) alternative dispute resolution or other processes that promote 
victim safety, privacy, and autonomy, and offender accountability; and

    (4) post-conviction relief proceedings in State, local, Tribal, or 
territorial court;

Whereas victim service providers coordinate and collaborate with the law 
        enforcement, health care providers, schools, and community-based 
        organizations to provide comprehensive support to survivors;
Whereas victim service providers need sustainable and proper funding to deliver 
        consistent, quality, and often lifesaving care;
Whereas victim service providers help victims create safety plans that establish 
        comprehensive and achievable assessments to reduce the risk of further 
        harm;
Whereas victim service providers are crucial to ensuring that victims get the 
        help, support, and justice they deserve;
Whereas victim service providers have been historically underfunded and under 
        resourced, which in turn impacts the quantity and quality of services 
        they can provide; and
Whereas victim service providers are put in positions to do critical, often 
        lifesaving work, without adequate resources: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) deeply values and supports the essential work of victim 
        service providers in helping victims and survivors heal 
        mentally, physically, and emotionally from trauma; and
            (2) acknowledges the need to meaningfully invest in the 
        work of victim service providers.
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