In 2007, the Abused Women’s Advocacy Project received more than 10,000 calls through its 24-hour Helpline. AWAP serves Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties. Victims of domestic violence needed various services, including emergency shelter, court advocacy, support groups, and/or training and education.

Those services are now threatened by LD 2173, the curtailment and proposed supplemental budget that would strip away the funds appropriated by the Legislature just last year. At that time, members of the Legislature recognized the need for increased attention and funding for domestic violence prevention programming and intervention services. I encourage them now to remember that commitment to their constituencies.

I recognize the difficult situation the Legislature is in, and the necessity of making tough decisions. I also hope that the real people whose lives are impacted every day by domestic abuse will not be forgotten as those decisions are made; real people who are neighbors, co-workers, friends and family.

I would ask the Legislature not to support the proposed supplemental budget that would curtail our efforts, and those of other social service agencies.

Economically, it makes sense to prevent or intervene in domestic violence situations as a way to minimize medical and mental health costs. It makes sense to work toward a community and a nation that refuses to accept violence as a means of resolving conflict. It makes sense to support existing efforts working to end domestic violence.

Avoiding cuts in the supplemental budget will help make communities safer for everyone.

Kathryn WilliamsPalmer, Brunswick

Executive Director, Abused Women’s Advocacy Project