Interfaith Advocacy

Faith Community Letter - VOCA Bridge Funding

Organizations providing critical services to victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, gun violence, human trafficking, drunk driving, and other crimes are facing a potential 41% cut in federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grants in Fiscal Year 2024. The Interfaith Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, chaired by Jewish Women International, sent a letter, signed by sixty-two faith-based organizations, to Congress, calling on Congress to provide bridge funding to prevent catastrophic cuts to victim service grants. 

VOCA grants are the primary source of federal funding for victim services and are funded by monetary penalties associated with federal criminal convictions and federal deferred and non-prosecution agreements. Due to unusually low receipts from these sources, the balance in VOCA’s Crime Victims Fund (CVF) has been depleted. As a result, Congress is contemplating cutting victim service grants by $700 million.  

“Victim service organizations simply cannot absorb cuts of this magnitude,” says JWI’s CEO, Meredith Jacobs. “Some will be forced to close their doors, and others will have to cut life-saving services, lay off staff, and turn survivors away. As faith-based organizations with a religious imperative to love our neighbors, to seek justice, and to bring comfort to those in need, we call on Congress to prevent drastic cuts to VOCA.” 

Read the full letter here: 

Dear Member of Congress,

We, the undersigned sixty-two faith-based organizations, come together to express our strong support for bridge funding to bolster Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grants. Our faith traditions teach us the importance of standing with those who are vulnerable, offering solace to the afflicted, and working towards the restoration of individuals and communities. VOCA grants are the primary source of federal funding for victim services, including programs supporting victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, stalking, human trafficking, elder abuse, community violence, homicide, and other crimes.

VOCA grants are funded by monetary penalties associated with federal criminal cases. Unusually low annual deposits into VOCA’s Crime Victim’s Fund (CVF) led Congress to pass the VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act of 2021 (VOCA Fix), which directed monetary penalties associated with deferred- and non-prosecution agreements into the Crime Victims Fund, supplementing the statute’s original deposit of monetary penalties resulting exclusively from criminal convictions. While the VOCA Fix has increased annual deposits substantially, they have been insufficient to fully make up for the shortfall.

In our work, we witness the far-reaching impact of experiencing interpersonal violence and the urgent need for compassionate assistance. VOCA-funded programs are critical to the healing process. By extending a helping hand, VOCA aligns with the core tenets common to all our faiths that call us to love our neighbors, seek justice, and bring comfort to those in need. However, due to continued below-average deposits, VOCA grants will be cut by a staggering $700 million next year.

Victim service providers cannot absorb a cut of this magnitude. FY2023 VOCA grants were already the lowest since 2014, and an additional decrease of $700 million would be nothing short of devastating. Many programs will be forced to close, and others will have to cut services and turn away victims in need. Victims and survivors will not have access to safety and healing, and staff who have dedicated their lives to the well-being of others will lose their livelihoods. These cuts will fall hardest on the communities that already have the least – rural communities, low-income communities, communities of color, and other underserved communities. The services supported by VOCA not only aid individual victims but also contribute to the health and resilience of our entire community.

We urge Congress to maintain the annual VOCA cap at $1.9 billion for FY2024 while not cutting other critical programs that support victims and survivors. This bridge funding will provide much-needed stability for victims and for victim service providers while Congress, the Administration, and stakeholders investigate the cause of the continued shortfalls and identify and implement longer-term solutions.

As faith-based organizations, we recognize the importance of government initiatives that complement our efforts, working together to build a society where compassion, justice, and faith converge for the betterment of our communities. Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your service to our community. May your efforts be guided by wisdom, compassion, and a steadfast commitment to the well-being of all. Please direct any questions to rgraber@jwi.org. 

Sincerely,