Oregon Senate passes Joint Memorial urging Congress to stabilize Crime Victims Fund

In a pivotal meeting of the Oregon House Committee on Judiciary, the urgent need for federal action to support crime victims took center stage. Under the bright lights of the legislative chamber, Carrie Moran, the executive director of the Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, passionately addressed the committee, highlighting a pressing crisis that threatens vital support services across the state.

Moran presented Senate Joint Memorial 2, a resolution urging Congress to enact legislation aimed at alleviating the funding crisis in the Crime Victims Fund (CVF). This fund, established by the Victims of Crime Act in 1984, is crucial for providing federal grants to state and local programs that assist victims of various crimes, including domestic violence, child abuse, and human trafficking. Notably, the CVF is financed through fines and penalties from federal criminal prosecutions, not taxpayer dollars.

However, the situation has become dire. Moran revealed that the balance of the CVF has plummeted by nearly 83% from fiscal year 2017 to 2024, resulting in a staggering 40% decrease in funding for victim assistance programs nationwide. This decline has forced many organizations, which serve communities from Baker City to Astoria, to either reduce their services or face potential closure.

Moran's call to action was clear: support for the Crime Victim Funds Stabilization Act is essential to ensure that these critical programs can continue to operate and provide necessary support to survivors. As she concluded her remarks, the weight of the issue hung in the air, underscoring the importance of legislative support in safeguarding the resources that countless victims rely on.

The committee members listened intently, recognizing the urgency of the matter. With the future of victim assistance programs at stake, the resolution's unanimous adoption in the Senate signals a collective commitment to addressing this crisis. As Oregon's congressional leaders consider the proposed legislation, the hope remains that swift action will be taken to stabilize funding and protect the vulnerable populations these programs serve.