Use Your Voice to Protect Survivors!

Step 1: Find Your Representatives

Click the buttons below to find your U.S. Representatives and Senators:

Find Your House Representative

Find Your Senators

How to find your representatives:

  1. Click the button above to open the lookup page in a new tab
  2. Enter your zip code or state
  3. Find the contact information (email or contact form) for your representatives
  4. Keep that tab open – you’ll use it in Step 3

Step 2: Create your message

The most effective way to advocate on the behalf of survivors is to speak to your representative in your own words. Personalized messages stand out, especially when many people are sending them, which makes it more likely your voice is heard.

Write 1–3 paragraphs to your representatives in the House and Senate sharing how you feel about the proposed funding cuts.

Be sure to mention:

  1. Your name
  2. The city/neighborhood/zip code you live in
  3. Your connection to Coburn Place (Are you a volunteer, donor, board member?).
  4.  A specific request to protect all federal funding that supports survivors of domestic violence.

To get you started, here are some urgent points that can guide your message, but be sure to put them in your own words! 

  • Domestic violence is the top reason why women and their children become homeless.
  • Coburn Place is the largest domestic violence housing organization in Indiana and the only one centrally located in Indianapolis.
  • Last year 116 households achieved safety and stability in Coburn Place’s program with the help of grants from the federal government.
  • Families being sheltered at Coburn Place who have only just reached safety may be facing eviction before Thanksgiving.
  • The federal government currently owes Coburn Place $150,000+ and counting in reimbursements, and Coburn Place’s existence is threatened if that money is not paid.
  • Homicide is the number one cause of death for pregnant women.
  • Indiana has the 5th highest rate of domestic violence in the United States.
  • Indiana has the 3rd highest rate of maternal mortality in the United States.

Step 3: Send Your Message

  • Final steps:
    1. Go back to the tab where you found your representative’s contact information
    2. Click on their email address or “Contact” button
    3. Paste the message you copied (Ctrl+V or Cmd+V)
    4. Add your name and location at the bottom
    5. Click Send!
    6. Repeat for both your Senators and your House Representative
  • Important: Personal messages have more impact! Feel free to add your own story or reasons why this issue matters to you.