Domestic violence and sexual-assault center asks Board of Mayor and Aldermen for $5,000 to support shelter and crisis services

At a April 14 budget workshop, Erica Downing, executive director of the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center of Rutherford County, told the Board of Mayor and Aldermen the nonprofit is requesting $5,000 from the city to help maintain shelter and support services.

Downing said the center serves all of Rutherford County and provides advocacy, counseling, a 31‑bed emergency shelter at an undisclosed location in Murfreesboro, a 20‑line crisis hotline and an on‑site forensic examination room for sexual‑assault survivors. “If they come in our doors and they don't feel welcome, that they don't feel like they're supported and they're gonna walk right out those doors and, potentially that's a life and death situation,” she said.

Why it matters: local funding helps the center fill gaps not covered by federal, state or private sources. Downing said the organization receives a mix of federal, state and local dollars plus private donations and grants, and that the center also receives funding from the town of Smyrna, the city of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County. She described the organization’s work as providing free, comprehensive services for survivors, including helping clients file petitions for orders of protection, counseling, shelter and crisis intervention.

Board members asked how staff arrived at the $5,000 figure; Downing said the amount is “close to on par with what we received from the city of Smyrna.” She said she has served as executive director for six years and that the organization handles roughly three dozen survivors per year who come forward for services, noting the number of people seeking help has risen year over year.

The presentation was discussion only; the board did not vote or take formal action during the workshop. The board paused the budget workshop after nonprofit presentations and planned to resume later in the meeting.

Notes and context: Downing said the shelter houses men, women and children fleeing violence and that many referrals come from law enforcement across the county. She also described a growing demand for services and the particular risks survivors face when attempting to leave abusive situations.