Victims’ rights group honors Schiavo

The California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, a coalition representing over 1,000 survivors, advocates, organizations and allied individuals, has honored  Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, D-Chatsworth, and Sen. Eloise Gomez Reyes, D-Colton, with the Movement Champion Award.  

The award celebrated the legislators’ leadership saving victim services in California, securing $100 million in the state budget, according to a news release from the nonprofit.  

The release said Schiavo “served as the budget champion in the Assembly for victim services funding in the 2024-25 legislative session, tirelessly working to elevate the issue into a major budget priority for the Legislature.”  

“She was instrumental in securing the support of more than 30 members of the Assembly, and was continuously willing to speak at rallies, with leadership, and to the press to make the case for life-saving services,” Partnership Executive Director Krista Colón said in the release. “On multiple occasions, Assemblywoman Schiavo courageously spoke about her own survivorship while advocating to fund core healing services for other survivors.” 

“It is was an honor to work hand in hand with Sen. Reyes and all of the brave advocates and survivors who shared their lived experiences as the voice of our fight to secure $100 million for community organizations that are a lifeline for victims of domestic violence and trafficking to escape, to find safety, and to find a caring hand to get them on the healing path,” Schiavo said in the release. 

Gomez Reyes played a lead role advocating for victims’ services funding two years in a row and also co-authored Assembly Bill 2432, establishing the California Crime Victims Fund to establish a long-term alternative funding stream for domestic violence and other services, the release said.  

The funding championed by Gomez Reyes and Schiavo has allowed these services to continue with stable funding levels through June 2026, the release said. 

“At Child & Family Center, we see every day how vital it is for survivors of domestic violence to have access to timely, life-saving support and safe shelter,” Nikki Buckstead, president & CEO of the Child & Family Center, said in the release. “As Santa Clarita Valley’s only 30-day domestic violence emergency shelter and a community mental health clinic focused on children, youth and families, we are deeply grateful to Assemblymember Schiavo and Senator Reyes for their commitment to ensuring these essential services remain funded. Their advocacy helps survivors and families find safety, healing and hope.” 

The post Victims’ rights group honors Schiavo   appeared first on Santa Clarita Valley Signal.