WASHINGTON – Yesterday, a GAO report requested by U.S. Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA, 13th) and U.S. Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) was released showing state and federal agencies are paying little, if any, attention to the issue of domestic violence among welfare recipients.
More than half of all women receiving welfare are, or have been, victims of domestic violence. Unfortunately, the GAO report found that victims of domestic violence rarely have access to a caseworker trained to handle their special needs. Currently, 14 states require no domestic violence training for caseworkers and 31 states require only a one-time training.
“This GAO report makes it clear that neither the federal nor state governments are taking the issue of domestic violence seriously,” Stark said. “Victims of domestic violence need and deserve to speak with trained professionals who understand their needs as well as the services that may be available. We need to increase the number of caseworkers trained to handle domestic violence cases and we need to require more regular training of those professionals.”
Victims of domestic violence receiving welfare assistance are eligible for a waiver limiting the program requirements they would need to meet in order to remain eligible for assistance. Those requirements are often difficult to meet because of a victim’s special situation. As there are few caseworkers trained to deal with domestic violence, very few women receiving welfare assistance are even offered the waivers that may be available to them.
Additionally, the GAO report found state marriage and fatherhood programs – initiatives highly touted by the Bush Administration – have done little to address domestic violence. Domestic violence often goes unrecognized by caseworkers who cannot identify the warning signs and may be encouraging marriages between couples that have a history of domestic violence.
Stark added: “Catering to the religious right at the cost of the safety of potentially millions of women and children is beyond pandering to their base, it’s morally bankrupt. Instituting programs that encourage marriage without having the staff trained to recognize whether or not that marriage may result in harm is unconscionable.”
Click here to view the report.
