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Coalition urges Congress to shore up Crime Victims Fund amid steep declines
Summary
The Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence urged the House Judiciary Committee to support a Senate Joint Memorial urging Congress to shore up the Crime Victims Fund, citing an 82.94% drop in the fund’s balance from fiscal 2017 to 2024 and consequent cuts to victim services nationwide.
The executive director of the Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence told the House Committee on Judiciary that Senate Joint Memorial 2 asks Oregon’s congressional delegation to support federal legislation stabilizing the Crime Victims Fund, warning that large declines are forcing victim services programs to triage services or face closure.
Carrie Moran (surname redacted in transcript) told the committee that the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) created the Crime Victims Fund, which is financed by fines and criminal-justice penalties and is the primary federal grant source for victim services including domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, human trafficking and elder-abuse programs. Moran told lawmakers the fund’s balance fell by 82.94% from fiscal year 2017 to fiscal year 2024, which in turn led to an approximate 40% decrease in funding for victim assistance programs in each state. She said those cuts are forcing programs that serve Oregon communities — from Baker City to Astoria and everywhere in between — to triage services or risk closure.
Moran asked the committee to support SJM 2 and to urge Oregon’s congressional leaders to back the Crime Victim Fund Stabilization Act, which she said would provide the support necessary to keep victim assistance programs operating.
The committee heard the memorial had unanimous adoption on the Senate floor before reaching the House committee. Committee members had no additional questions as the public hearing concluded.
