On March 12, 2025, the North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCCADV) led a powerful Advocacy Day at the North Carolina General Assembly. Alongside our partners—the Children’s Advocacy Centers of North Carolina (CACNC) and the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NCCASA)—we worked together to speak up for survivors and ask for critical support from our state leaders.
This day was a chance for NCCADV to show lawmakers how domestic violence affects communities across the state—and to ask for help making sure life-saving services stay available for all who need them.
NCCADV’s Mission: Supporting Survivors, Saving Lives
Every day, NCCADV and our member programs provide emergency shelter, safety planning, legal advocacy, and healing support to survivors of domestic violence. But this work is at risk.
Much of the funding that makes these services possible comes from a federal source called VOCA (Victims of Crime Act). Since 2018, VOCA funds in North Carolina have dropped by 76%—from $103 million to just $24.6 million in 2024. This crisis is forcing programs to cut staff and turn people away.
In 2023 alone, more than 6,000 survivors were turned away from domestic violence shelters because there wasn’t enough room. NCCADV programs simply don’t have the resources to meet the growing need.
What We’re Asking For
To keep these vital services running, NCCADV is calling on the General Assembly to approve $30 million per year for the next two years, with $10 million going specifically to domestic violence programs. This funding would help:
- Keep emergency shelters open
- Retain trained staff
- Provide counseling and legal support
- Protect thousands of survivors and their children
These are not just numbers—they are lives.
Standing Up for Survivors
During Advocacy Day, NCCADV leaders and advocates met with lawmakers to share stories and data showing why this support matters now more than ever.
In the photos, you can see NCCADV Staff including Policy Director Kathleen Lockwood, Representative Allen Buansi, Legal Director Nisha Williams, and Taylour Neal, Director of Campus Services, advocating on behalf of domestic violence survivors across the state.
Thanks to their efforts, more people are learning just how urgent this issue is.
The Need Is Growing
NCCADV data shows that domestic violence homicides have increased nearly 70% since 2018. At the same time, shelters are overflowing, and many survivors have nowhere to go. Without VOCA and state funding, more lives will be at risk.
We are also seeing challenges in other areas:
- Child advocacy centers served over 12,000 children last year
- Sexual assault programs are cutting back services due to lack of funds
Our partner organizations do incredible work.
NCCADV’s focus is clear: We are here to protect and uplift domestic violence survivors, and we need urgent help from the state to continue.
What Comes Next
Advocacy Day was just the beginning. NCCADV is continuing to push for emergency state funding, and we invite lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to stand with us.
This is not a partisan issue—it’s a people issue. When survivors are safe and supported, our entire state is stronger.
Let’s work together to make sure no survivor is turned away, and every person has a path to safety, healing, and hope.
