Last week, I reported that some domestic violence groups were—surprisingly enough—wary about a bill that’s being proposed by Attorney General Rob McKenna that would crack down on repeat abusers.
Their concern: Putting more money into incarceration could jeopardize funding for shelters and services on the victim end, especially during this year’s severe budget crunch. (The state is facing a $2.6 billion shortfall.)
This week, the AG’s office pointed us to some advocacy groups who support the incarceration solution
Grace Huang, Public Policy Program Coordinator for Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, gave a quick explanation of how the tough-on-crime bill could in fact cut costs for the state and domestic violence programs.
Huang says that when abusers are not held accountable for repeat offenses, it costs the state and domestic violence organizations more money and resources in prosecution, constant re-arrest, and mental health services for survivors.
It also frustrates survivors who are relying on the judicial system and domestic violence organizations to stay safe. If the state can “get these abusers earlier on and with longer sentences, it saves resources.. [it] will save everybody money in the long term,” Huang says.
Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence is made up of 66 member, shelter, and advocacy programs.
