Vermont Network urges stable funding, vehicle and debt protections for survivors at Judiciary hearing

Sarah Robinson, executive director of the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, told the Senate Judiciary Committee on Jan. 16 that the statewide nonprofit and its 15 member organizations need sustainable funding and three legal changes to protect survivors.

"We are a statewide nonprofit organization," Robinson said. "Our members are 15 independent nonprofits that operate throughout the state of Vermont and provide services to victims of domestic and sexual violence." She said members answered more than 23,000 hotline calls in 2023 and provided in-person services to more than 8,000 individuals.

The Vermont Network asked lawmakers to establish a new, sustainable revenue source for the Domestic and Sexual Violence Fund and to make other investments to meet increased demand. "The fund's revenue sources — a portion of surcharges on criminal offenses, civil penalties and marriage-license fees — are not keeping up with need," said Charley Glitzerman, policy director at the Vermont Network. He said members have been largely flat-funded through the fund for 15 years and the legislature has repeatedly needed one-time…