Shelter director warns domestic‑violence legal services face cuts; asks for $2.5M

Erin Marotti, executive director of the Interior Alaska Center for Nonviolent Living, told the Senate Finance Committee that federal funding reductions threaten the center's legal program and asked the committee to include $2,500,000 in state CDVSA-competitive grant funding so shelters can continue emergency services and free legal representation.

"One of these survivors was a young mother from a rural interior village ... She arrived at our shelter with her children and one small bag," Marotti said, describing the services the center provided, including legal representation, protective orders and housing assistance. Marotti said without the requested funding "programs will reduce services, eliminate staff, and survivors will have to face greater danger."

Marotti cited an estimated statewide economic burden of domestic violence of $7 billion as part of the testimony arguing for public‑safety and cost‑avoidance reasons to sustain victim services. The director requested roughly $2,000,000 for emergency services and $500,000 for legal services to help the Interior Alaska Center compete for CDVSA grants.

Committee members heard testimony only; no appropriation vote occurred during the morning session. The public record remains open for afternoon testimony and further budget deliberations later in the Finance Committee process.