Attorney General Josh Kaul is leading a bipartisan coalition of 42 attorneys general in urging Congress to provide much-needed funding for the federal Crime Victims Fund (VOCA Fund). The fund, which supports essential direct services for crime victims and survivors across the country, is projected to face a $700 million shortfall in fiscal year 2024 compared to the previous year.
"Victim service programs are an essential part of an effective criminal justice system. They ensure that support is available for crime victims, and their work helps to hold offenders accountable," said AG Kaul, highlighting the importance of adequate funding for victim services.
The VOCA Fund, established in 1984, serves as the primary financial source for victim services in all 50 states, five U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia. Unlike taxes, the fund's revenue is collected from offenders convicted of crimes.
Although the VOCA Fix Act was passed in 2021 to allow monetary recoveries to replenish the fund, it was not sufficient to address the funding shortfall. As a result, victim service programs across the country face a 41% decrease in funding in 2024 compared to the previous year, unless prompt action is taken by Congress.
Without adequate funding, many victim service programs may be forced to close, leaving crime victims without essential support. The VOCA Fund provides a range of services, including medical care, mental health counseling, lost wages, courtroom advocacy, and temporary housing for victims and survivors of crime. It also supports federal, state, and tribal victim service programs, crime victim compensation, discretionary grant awards, victim specialists in U.S. Attorney's Offices and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the federal victim notification system.
In Wisconsin, the Department of Justice administers victim assistance grant programs financed by the VOCA Fund. These programs have been instrumental in providing adequate and responsive victim service programming in both rural and urban communities across the state. Since 2019, approximately $44.5 million in VOCA awards have been administered annually.
The services supported by the VOCA Fund cater to the immediate and ongoing needs of crime victims and survivors, regardless of their engagement with the criminal justice system. These services include forensic interviews and age-appropriate supports for child victims of abuse, emergency safety planning and shelter services for individuals experiencing domestic abuse, legal assistance for crime victims navigating their rights within the criminal justice process, and counseling and support groups for mental health and healing.
The coalition of attorneys general, representing states and territories from Alaska to Wyoming, is calling on Congress to take action and stabilize funding for the VOCA Fund. By ensuring adequate funding, Congress can support the diverse needs of crime victims and survivors while fostering a comprehensive and survivor-centered network of advocacy.
It is crucial for Congress to prioritize the funding of victim services and address the projected shortfall in the VOCA Fund. By doing so, they can provide much-needed support to crime victims and survivors across the nation.