Addressing nearly 1,000 victim advocates at the annual Two Days in May conference, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost called on U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland to reverse the 41% cut to federal funding for the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (VOCA).
"I’m angry about it and we’re fighting back," Yost said, "You all have taken more than your share of the belt-tightening. This is absolutely atrocious.”
As the state administrator for VOCA, Yost sent a letter to Garland highlighting the dramatic drop in funds that have occurred since he was elected in 2018. At that time, Ohio was funded at $117 million. With the additional 41% drop, Ohio would be funded at just $26 million, a total cut of 78%.
“I want you to know we’re going to do everything we can,” Yost continued. “I know that victims advocacy and services have been cut to the bone. My only request of the federal government is you seem to be able to find money to fund every other thing under the sun—do this.”
VOCA is the primary source of funding for victim services in Ohio. Many of the agencies attending the 32nd annual two-day conference rely on these funds. In his letter, Yost referred to these agencies as the “oxygen that keeps crime-fighting victim service agencies alive.”
The Two Days in May conference brings together advocates from various disciplines to discuss best practices, trends and developments in victim assistance.
During this year's conference, Yost recognized some exceptional advocacy work being done in Ohio. The award winners were Providence House, Jill Donnenwirth’s tenure at The Domestic Violence Shelter and Kidd Zaffer’s leadership at Seven Hills Neighborhood Houses.
Attorney General Yost’s full opening remarks from the conference are available here.
For video footage or still photos from AG Yost’s VOCA remarks, please contact Kelly May at Kelly.May@OhioAGO.gov.