The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded in 1990, based in the District of Columbia. It is a network of state and territorial domestic violence coalitions, representing over 2,000 member organizations nationwide. The National Network to End Domestic Violence works to address the many aspects of domestic violence.
Policy work
The National Network to End Domestic Violence performs legislative policy work with all three branches. NNEDV has been called to testify before the U.S. Congress on domestic violence issues to assist state and territorial coalitions in better serving the needs of the victim by presenting research on domestic violence issues for pending legislation. NNEDV works proactively with Congress to make ending domestic violence a national priority.
NNEDV's members are state and territorial coalitions representing domestic violence shelters and programs in every state and territory in the nation. NNEDV works closely with the coalitions to understand the ongoing and emerging needs at the local, state, and territorial level, and then ensures those needs are heard and understood by policymakers at the national level.
Ensuring the funding of domestic violence programs remains a continued concern. NNEDV's policy efforts also focus on gun violence, the technology sector, and economic and financial security.
Violence Against Women Act implementation
The National Network to End Domestic Violence worked for the 2013 reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). VAWA closed critical gaps in justice, improved upon lifesaving services and ensuring all domestic violence survivors receive services. NNEDV participated in the Office on Violence Against Women conferral process, sharing information about VAWA's impact on the field, gaps in the federal response, and challenges and successes of implementation.
NNEDV also participated in stakeholder meetings about the implementation of VAWA's Campus SaVE provisions and worked to ensure that the negotiated rule-making committee considered, in particular, the needs of student victims of dating abuse and stalking, as well as the confidentiality and safety needs of student victims. NNEDV also communicated the same messages to the White House Task Force on Campus Sexual Assault. Historically, VAWA was the first piece of federal legislation to specifically provide protections for members of the LGBT community.
NNEDV continues to work to ensure that programs such as the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act and Victims of Crime Act receive adequate funding.
Appropriations and funding
The National Network to End Domestic Violence leads the national Campaign for Funding to End Domestic and Sexual Violence. Through this work, NNEDV is at the forefront of advocating for increased funding and resources for local programs and state and territorial coalitions. As part of this advocacy, NNEDV coordinates and implements a strategic action plan that combines national level work with grasstops and grassroots mobilization around the federal budget. The primary focus of appropriations advocacy is on increasing funding under the Violence Against Women Act, the Family Violence Prevention Services Act, and the Victims of Crime Act.
Gun violence
The National Network to End Domestic Violence has emerged as one of the leading organizations for commonsense firearms legislation, specifically, an improved and expanded background check system. The clear connection to this work—preventing domestic violence homicides—has helped to build momentum around such legislation. NNEDV advocates for closing loopholes in the background checks system and for needed improvements to data collection through NICS. NNEDV continues to work with Everytown for Gun Safety (formerly Mayors Against Illegal Guns), as well as with other national organizations, to provide critical information and targeted action alerts to the field around proposed legislation to address gun violence.