There is no safety without economic security. Domestic violence survivors incur significant costs as they navigate their way to safety. Research shows that over 75% of survivors want help with financial matters as a result of abuse, but report multiple barriers to getting that help. We know many survivors routinely put off buying things they needed, find ways to make more money to afford basic expenses, and make trade-offs to meet their economic and physical safety needs. While there are organizations and entities that provide financial support on behalf of a survivor, cash assistance directly to survivors or no/low barrier flexible funding work best to meet survivors’ unique needs.
The purpose of this Direct Cash & Flexible Funding Landscape is to share data that helps tell the story of:
- The scope of financial insecurity survivors experience including unmet needs, and sources of income survivors receive
- Existing advocacy supports and resources available to survivors seeking funds from the domestic and sexual violence field
- The sources of funding that support survivors seeking direct cash and flexible funding
- Advocate and survivor experiences navigating the Direct Cash & Flexible Funding Landscape
“The biggest lesson I’ve learned is just how impactful unrestricted funding can be on a survivor’s wellbeing and ability to safely leave an abusive relationship. I’m proud of the fact that we are able to provide help in ways that other more restrictive funding cannot.”
–Maine advocate response from CSAJ’s Direct Cash & Flexible Fund Survey
Direct Cash & Flexible Funding
Note: Dashboards are best viewed on a desktop or laptop computer in full screen mode. The layout and functionality may distort to fit smart-phone screens.
View Methodology & Documentation for a list of all terms, data, and data sources for each Safety Landscape.
- Full-screen mode: If the embedded dashboard below is hard to view, click the “expand” icon in the lower right corner of the window to view in full screen mode.
- Click the download icon (bottom-right): To download a PDF, image, or PowerPoint slide of the dashboard. Ensure you’ve selected the data point via all five dropdowns and the view you want. Bring this to meetings, share with partners, add your own data to supplement, and use it in your advocacy!
- Looking at the indicators, what stands out to you? Are survivors likely to have access to flexible funding and direct cash in your state? Does this match what you know about survivors’ experiences?
- What’s upstream from the funding picture painted here? What policies, regulations, or other forces play a role in this system?
- How do survivors with access to direct cash and flexible funding fare compared to those without or less resources?
- What does program service provision for flexible funding and direct cash look like in your state/ at your program?
- What systems or policy changes can you make or advocate for to make to be more equitable, abundant, and survivor centered?
