Critical fund for US domestic violence victims faces major cuts

Crime Victims Fund, essential lifeline for services such as hotlines and legal assistance for survivors, stands to lose $700m

Advocates are bracing for a major funding cut to a critical source of support for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse in the US that will take effect later this year.

A total of 37%, or $700m, will be slashed from the national Crime Victims Fund, an essential lifeline for state and local services such as domestic violence hotlines and legal assistance for survivors, when the government's next fiscal year begins in October.

In the US, the domestic violence hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). In the UK, call the national domestic abuse helpline on 0808 2000 247, or visit Women's Aid. In Australia, the national family violence counselling service is on 1800 737 732. Other international helplines may be found via www.befrienders.org