Should we fund domestic violence shelters? Domestic violence is a problem in our country with almost 1 million women experiencing at least one incident of domestic abuse each year (2009/10 British Crime Survey). In the current economic climate, funding for social programs is being scrutinized with questions about whether American taxpayer dollars should be used to help victims of domestic violence. Cutting funding to government programs that assist victims of domestic violence is not an option for many reasons. In this essay I will explore some of the many ways these programs help our fellow citizens to make the case for continued funding of such programs. 54% of women victims of serious sexual violence were attacked by their partner or ex-partner (Stern 2010). 19% of women have experienced stalking since the age of 16 (Smith (ed.), Coleman, Eder and Hall, January 2011). These statistics help paint a picture of the problem but do little to shed light on the solution. There are many programs and shelters offered to victims of domestic violence, Hill Country Cares is one of them. Hill Country Cares is a government-funded women's shelter, better known as HCC. This is a place where victims of domestic violence are referenced from many sources. (i.e. local authorities after reporting an incident of domestic violence). The HCC is a safe place where victims receive many different types of assistance while their situation, as well as the painfully intimate details of their abuse, are kept entirely confidential. Admission to the HCC program is entirely optional but has very clearly defined rules that are put in place for the safety and benefit of victims of domestic violence. Those admitted are not allowed to contact the offender for… half of paper… are more likely to experience repeat victimization than victims of any other type of crime (British Crime Survey Reports). all DVincidents are repeated (Flatley, Kershaw, Smith, Chaplin and Moon (July 2010) BCS – Crime in England and Wales 2009/10, Home Office, http://rds.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs10/hosb1210 .pdf , p. 24) Women experience an average of 35 incidents of domestic violence before reporting the incident to the police (Yearnshaw 1997, http://safer.sthelens.gov.uk/SITEMANV2/publications/40/0901316LeafletsforDVVictims_3.pdf ).19% of women have experienced stalking since the age of 16 (Smith (ed.), Coleman, Eder and Hall (January 2011) Homicides, Firearm Offenses and Intimate Violence 2009/10 Supplementary Volume 2 to Crime in England and Wales 2009/10, Home Office, http://rds.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs11/hosb0111.pdf).