Oakland, CA – June 10, 2026 – Last night, more than two dozen members of Mujeres Unidas y Activas (MUA) joined a crowded Oakland City Public Safety Committee meeting, along with dozens of other community organizations, to demand that council members reject the Department of Violence Prevention's (DVP) proposed funding allocations for 2027–2029 — a plan that would devastate domestic violence services for Oakland's most vulnerable communities and completely eliminate culturally appropriate services for Latina and Mayan immigrant survivors.
After an extensive public comment period in which more than 50 community members expressed their deep concerns, the Public Safety Committee approved the plan with only minor modifications: they reduced the term of the new scholarships from three to two years and requested a report from city staff within the first six months on the impact of the cuts on the community. The scholarship recommendations, with these amendments, will be submitted to a final vote at the Oakland City Council meeting on June 16.
MUA calls on all members of the City Council to reject these recommendations before it is too late.
A Financing Plan That Fails Survivors of Domestic Violence
The Oakland Department of Prevention's (DVP) 2027–2029 Gender-Based Violence (GBV) funding allocations dedicate only 24% of the budget to domestic violence prevention—a drastic reduction compared to previous years—despite DVP data showing that more than 3,000 Oakland residents file police reports for domestic violence each year. Experts agree that this figure is a significant underestimate, as thousands more are afraid to report. These cuts would destabilize organizations that have provided essential support for years, impacting all survivors of gender-based violence in Oakland.
Latino and Mayan Communities Left Out of the Plan
Mujeres Unidas y Activas (MUA), which has supported immigrant women and families in Oakland since 1999, was not included on the list of organizations recommended to receive DVP funding. For the first time, the funding recommendations do not include any culturally appropriate services for Latina and Mayan immigrant survivors.
These communities already face disproportionately high rates of domestic violence and are the least likely to report it, due to language barriers, their immigration status, and—now more than ever—fear of ICE raids. Without MUA services, women in crisis will have nowhere to turn.
“Immigrant families are under enormous stress right now, and that stress is exacerbating domestic violence. That’s why it’s crucial to ensure adequate resources for culturally appropriate support, education, and prevention programs in both Spanish and Mam Maya. This is a critical public safety issue.” — Alma Santana, Director of Immigrant Rights, Mujeres Unidas y Activas
“When I arrived at MUA, I found much more than resources. I found a community of people who listened to me, believed me, and stood by me during one of the most difficult times of my life. I received emotional support, legal guidance, and access to resources that helped me regain my safety, confidence, and independence. Thanks to that support, I was able to begin a new chapter in my life. Today, I am not only a survivor but also a leader who supports other women facing similar situations. I have seen firsthand how this organization transforms lives and helps women and families find a path to safety and stability.” — Alicia, Lead Member, Mujeres Unidas y Activas
Legal Services for Victims Severely Reduced
The proposed cuts go even further. The DVP's investment in legal services for survivors of domestic violence — provided by the Family Violence Law Center (FVLC) and its partner organizations — has been cut by more than half.
For 20 years, the FVLC has provided assistance with civil restraining orders to nearly 500 people each year. These orders not only prevent future violence—they also resolve issues of custody, housing, child support, and financial matters that determine whether a survivor and her children can remain safely in their home. The FVLC has frontline staff who speak Spanish, ensuring that Latina immigrant survivors can access these services quickly.
Under the proposed allocations, only Bay Legal would receive funding, serving a mere 100 people—meaning 500 fewer survivors would receive legal services, and assistance with restraining orders would be almost entirely eliminated. The severe cuts to the FVLC mean that Spanish-speaking survivors will lose a critical legal resource.
What's Coming — June 16th is the Last Chance
The scholarship recommendations with their amendments will be submitted for a final vote at the Oakland City Council meeting on June 16This is the community's last chance to ask council members to reject a plan that abandons Oakland's most vulnerable survivors.
MUA calls on the City Council to:
- Restore funding to organizations that provide support services to survivors of domestic violence, in proportion to the documented magnitude of the need in Oakland.
- Ensure that culturally appropriate services for Latino and Mayan immigrant communities are included in Gender-Based Violence grant recommendations.
- Preserve full funding for legal services, including FVLC assistance with restraining orders, as an essential component for the safety and stability of survivors.
Oakland has always been a city that stands up for its most vulnerable residents. The proposed funding decisions do not reflect that commitment. The immigrant community needs the city's support to reduce domestic violence and protect survivors.
About Mujeres Unidas y Activas (MUA) Mujeres Unidas y Activas MUA is a grassroots, member-led organization of Latina and Indigenous immigrant women with the mission of strengthening personal and community power to achieve social and economic justice. With community centers in San Francisco, Oakland, and Union City, MUA provides spaces where immigrant women can find community, access services and support, heal through art and expression, and organize to advocate for their rights.
Press Contact: Jenni Martinez, Communications Coordinator 415-577-3338 | jenni@mujeresunidas.net