The Crime Victim Fund (CVF) established by Congress through the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) is a core source of funding for Safe Horizon and thousands of other victim service providers across the country. The Fund is supported through penalties and fines on federal prosecutions, and donations, NOT taxpayer money.
Each year, Congress determines how much of the Crime Victim Fund can be disbursed to service providers and law enforcement partners across the country.
The Senate recently recommended a cut of a staggering $1.1 billion in disbursements; that’s a 40% cut to victims who are feeling the multifaceted effects of COVID on top of racial injustice.
Please help us urge the White House and Congress not to cut VOCA funding. Contact Senate Minority Leader, Senator Chuck Schumer as well as your elected representatives and let them know that you stand with Safe Horizon and other victim service organizations across the country. You can use this sample language for both emails.
Note: When contacting Senator Chuck Schumer, select option “share your opinion or comments on bills or other issues” and select message topic “budget.”
Subject Line: Don’t Cut VOCA Funding for Survivors!
I stand with Safe Horizon in support of upholding critical funds to the Victims of Crime Act. The recently proposed $1.1 billion cut will hinder the ability for thousands of crime victims to find help and healing.
Victims of violence should not be shortchanged for the sake of budget decisions by our leadership. We urge Congress to abide by the Congressional mandate against using VOCA funding for any purpose other than assisting crime victims.
Please keep VOCA fully funded.