While many aspects of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, signed by President Obama this week, are good for vulnerable people, steady funding for the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) is at risk. We must make our voices clear and loud right now to sustain VOCA funding.
The budget deal took $1.5 billion out of the VOCA fund’s non-taxpayer generated reserves dedicated to direct victim services. Now the amount of VOCA funds allocated each year could be much lower than the amount in both the U.S. House ($2.7 billion) and Senate ($2.6 billion) Appropriations bills for fiscal year 2016. Call your members of Congress right now with this message:
We count on VOCA to fund direct services such as shelter, rape crisis services, legal assistance, direct counseling, etc.; to fund victim services throughout Cook County.
The increase in 2015 is allowing us to begin to help the many victims who have been going without critical support services. If VOCA funding is cut from the 2015 level, it will be devastating.
It will harm our program by reduced numbers of victims who could be served, reduced staff, reduced staff wages, reduced or eliminated victim service program).
In this year’s appropriations process and beyond, Congress must maintain its commitment to helping the most vulnerable victims escape and heal from violence and abuse and rebuild their lives.
Please don’t turn back the clock on victims. Please tell appropriators that victims in Minnesota are counting on sustained VOCA funds.
With over $12 billion in the VOCA fund, this is not the time to cut funding for victim services.
To reach your representative and senator, call the Capitol switchboard: (202) 224-3121.
Choose representative and then enter your zip code to be transferred. When you are done leaving a message for your representative, call back and follow the same process to leave messages for your senators.
Many of you have relationships with staff of your members of Congress—I think this goes without saying, but you should reach out to them directly with a message of concern about VOCA.
If you want additional information about Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault, visit mncasa.org. For information about local services, visit the Violence Prevention Center website at www.hope-4-u.org.
Jeanne Ronayne
Executive Director,
Minnesota Coalition
Against Sexual Assault
St. Paul, Minnesota
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