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Utah County victim coordinator reports 24% rise in domestic-violence cases, says office is understaffed
Summary
Katie Fox, Utah County victim coordinator, told commissioners the VOCA grant is on track, the office is creating a soft interview room and play area, and that domestic-violence cases are up 24% with a 15% increase in calls; she said the office has two county-paid full‑time staff and one VOCA-funded employee and is recruiting volunteers.
Katie Fox, victim coordinator at the Utah County Attorney’s Office, told the Board of County Commissioners during a biannual VOCA update that the office is meeting grant goals but is under strain from higher caseloads.
“We are on track to meet all of our goals within the contract for VOCA,” Fox said. She highlighted two facility improvements funded by the grant: a “soft interview room” and a play area for victims’ children to improve comfort when meeting with prosecutors.
Fox reported a 24% increase in domestic‑violence cases so far this year and a 15% increase in calls. She said courts have been largely shut down since March due to the pandemic but that the workload nevertheless has increased.
Fox described staffing pressures: the office currently has two full‑time employees paid by the county plus one VOCA‑funded employee, and the office is actively recruiting another position. She said staff are developing a volunteer program to provide support but added that volunteers cannot replace trained victim coordinators.
Commissioners thanked Fox for the update and expressed appreciation for the office’s work and the challenges of providing services during the pandemic.
