1. United States
2. Fla.
3. Letter

Yesterday marked the first day of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time when we should be strengthening, not dismantling, our country’s response to sexual violence. Yet, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has removed Director Shawndell Dawson from her role at the Office of Family Violence Prevention and Services, and today, the CDC eliminated the program and research branches responsible for administering Rape Prevention Education and DELTA funding. These reckless decisions threaten the very foundation of our nation’s public health response to sexual and domestic violence. Eliminating these branches will directly harm communities throughout the state of Florida by disrupting evidence-based prevention programs proven to reduce perpetration and support survivors. This is not just a bureaucratic shift—it’s a dangerous rollback of life-saving work. As a leader, I urge you to push back against these harmful changes and demand the reinstatement of Director Dawson. It is unacceptable that, while these vital programs are being dismantled, Donald Trump—a man found liable for sexually assaulting E. Jean Carroll and accused of inappropriate sexual conduct by 27 women—remains a dominant political force. Survivors and advocates deserve better. Please take immediate action to restore these essential programs and ensure that our country remains committed to preventing sexual and domestic violence. I look forward to your response.