How The FCC Will Make It Harder For Domestic Violence Survivors To Get Help

When the National Network to End Domestic Violence polled nearly 300 domestic violence prevention programs, it found that 77 percent of domestic violence prevention programs distributed phones. These phones included devices from a program run by the Federal Communications Commission: Lifeline. But the FCC has proposed dramatically cutting the Lifeline program. It has announced plans to gut the service for 70 percent of current users. To justify these cuts, the agency says that because some phone companies abused the program by enrolling ineligible consumers, the program doesn’t work. These are problems that need to be fixed — but there are ways to do so without harming those who need and rely on this program. Before the FCC makes the final call on Lifeline, it needs to recognize that this program is vital for women, men and children who have been the victims of domestic violence. They can’t just hang up on those who need them most.

[FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel]