White House Pitches Digital Equity Grants to Groups Supporting Abuse Victims

WASHINGTON, August 29, 2024 – White House officials urged organizations serving survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault to participate in its digital equity grant programs Thursday. 

“Those of you who come from this work know how many barriers there are for victims and survivors to reach out for help. For many, the ability to find information online can overcome those barriers,” Lynn Rosenthal, director of sexual and gender-based violence at the Department of Health and Human Services, said on a call with organizers. “Access to help-seeking tools including hotlines, chats, safety decision aids and more can be life-saving.”

The Digital Equity Act, a part of the 2021 Infrastructure Act, set aside $2.75 billion for efforts to address barriers to meaningful broadband adoption that linger after infrastructure has been deployed – things like affordability, device access, and the ability to access services and avoid scams on the web.