In a span of one week this year, 14 women in New York City lost their lives at the hands of domestic violence.

Kety Sanchez, Erlendy Flores, Cynthia Lopez were among those who died between April 11 and 19.

Advocates for victims say the number of fatal domestic violence cases so far this year shows an increase from all of 2010. This increase comes as the NYPD receives 700 domestic violence related calls every day.

Last week, the City launched a campaign to raise awareness among New Yorkers about the importance of reporting violent behavior.

The plan is welcome as is any initiative that helps address a crisis that is leaving dozens of women dead and devastating thousands of families, especially children.

But as government and the NYPD respond, public funding for domestic violence services continues to disappear.

In the last three years, the State has cut nearly all funding for non-resi dential services that help domestic violence survivors rebuild their lives away from their abusers. These services, which include counseling, legal services, and childcare, are critical for preventing tragedies, especially for battered immigrant women who often lack the knowledge and support to escape their situations.

Governor Cuomo and the state legislature have abdicated responsibility in supporting these services and passed the buck to the City.

Commendably, Mayor Bloomberg has kept funding for non-residential services intact through 2012, despite the lack of support from the state. But come next year, hundreds of women who live under the threat of violence may have no place to turn for help.

Domestic violence victims are not a budget item that can be crossed out or reduced. Albany must earmark funding for services that are a matter of life of death.