The National Domestic Violence Hotline (The Hotline) and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) congratulate Lynn Rosenthal on her appointment as Director of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Director Rosenthal is a longtime advocate for victims and survivors of domestic violence and other forms of gender-based violence and served as the first White House Special Advisor on Gender-Based Violence under President Obama.

“We congratulate Director Rosenthal on this appointment and look forward to her leadership in expanding support for survivors of sexual assault and gender-based violence. Every day thousands of people across the U.S. reach out to The Hotline for support. We deeply value leaders, like Director Rosenthal, who advocate for survivor-centered responses and resources that make our mission possible,” says Katie Ray-Jones, CEO, National Domestic Violence Hotline.

“Director Rosenthal has been a fierce champion for victims, survivors, and advocates throughout her long and impactful career. Her appointment is critical to strengthening the Federal government’s non-carceral response to gender-based violence, and we look forward to working closely with her in her new capacity,” says Ruth M. Glenn, NCADV’s President of Public Affairs.

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HHS is responsible for implementing the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act as well as many programs upon which victims and survivors rely to maintain their and their families health and economic security, including safety net programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Head Start, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Medicare, Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program, child care assistance, and many other vital programs.

In July 2021, the National Domestic Violence Hotline (The Hotline) and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) leadership met to explore how our two organizations could work together to further our missions — expanding support for victims, survivors and for those who provide services to them. In August 2022, both boards unanimously voted to join together through a venture affectionately named Project Opal.