May 14, 2009 Budget cuts threaten domestic violence programs Play video

(NECN: Katie Daly, Worcester, Mass.) - Addressing a crowd at Anna Maria College, Lt. Governor Tim Murray asked the audience not to forget 24 victims killed in acts of domestic violence in 2008.

“When you hear the stories of victims, the impact on kids and families it should cause us to work harder and smarter.”

The Lt. Governor led the forum on domestic violence prevention at the college Thursday. He says over the past few years the state has raised the level of domestic violence awareness in communities across the state, but maintaining these strides forward will now be more difficult

“The challenge we all have is that given the economic climate and budget programs will be impacted and services and other things are likely to be cut.”

Ginger Navickas was a panel member at Thursday’s forum. She is the director of daybreak in Worcester, a program that provides domestic violence treatment and prevention services.

“I would say every year we are increasing the numbers, that's important to examine because I think it's a result of services becoming more well known and having victims be more able to reach out for help and trust it will be there for them.”

In order to make sure that programs like daybreak continue to impact the community, the Patrick administration has required all domestic violence service providers to meet regularly to discuss how to pool their resources and help reduce the number of acts of domestic violence.