Victims of Crime Need Your Help

Send Congress a Message - Increase Victim Assistance Allocation in the VOCA Crime Victims Fund

Economic Crisis Impacts Victims Services

The victim service providers in our communities are struggling to respond to the high volume of requests from victims of crime in need of compensation, counseling and assistance. These providers are experiencing unprecedented cuts in federal, state and county budgets as well as sharp declines in foundation grants, private donations and volunteer recruitment.

Making ends meet in the face of skyrocketing operating costs and a free falling economy is forcing many programs to create waiting lists for services, cut back on services, reduce hours and lay off staff. As a consequence, victims and their families are not able to obtain all the necessary help to cope with the trauma and aftermath of crime.

Congress Resists Release of Funds to Help Crime Victims

Congress has the ability and non-taxpayer resources to help stabilize victim assistance funding at a time when the need is never more urgent.

Congress is sitting on close to $2 billion in the federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Fund which was created more than two decades ago solely to assist crime victims. The Fund consists of fines and penalties collected from federal offenders, not taxpayers. However, in recent years Congress has limited the amount released from the Fund, despite a large and growing surplus.

Pennsylvania Victim Service Providers Seek Increase

Pennsylvania´s network of victim service providers is seeking a one-time increase in the VOCA Fund cap to $1 billion in the 2009 federal budget. The need is urgent; the increase is critical.

You Can Help Secure Critically Needed Funding

Now more than ever, Congress needs to hear from their constituents on behalf of crime victims and service providers in their communities.
The resources provided here can help you frame your message, mobilize your community, and communicate with your members of Congress. M
Capitol Rotunda
Harrisburg