Column: Programs for crime victims in jeopardy
VOTH
WALDICK
As a nation we are pulling out all of the stops to address the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated public health crisis. However, we are turning our backs on people impacted by long standing, pervasive public health epidemics domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, trafficking, and other interpersonal violence.
Congress must take immediate action in the upcoming omnibus appropriations bill to support survivors and the programs that serve them across America, including Crime Victim Services in Allen and Putnam Counties, Ohio.
Specifically, Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grants are the largest source of federal funding for victim response organizations in the nation. These grants are drawn from the Crime Victims Fund (“CVF”), which is from penalties and fines from federal criminal convictions; VOCA grants are not funded by taxpayers! They have been used to assist survivors of all crimes, including business t