Maryland’s rape crisis centers provide counseling, legal services, housing, and case management to survivors of sexual violence. We work with law enforcement, go to hospitals with rape survivors, and help educate communities about how to stop sexual assault. These services are critical to survivors in crisis:
Consider the 28-year-old woman, who had recently separated from her abusive husband. The abuser broke back into their home and violently sexually assaulted her. The local Rape Crisis Center was able provide support while she received a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam. The survivor then came into shelter with her two young children because it was not safe to return back to her home. The survivor was able to receive the emotional support she needed from Rape Crisis Center staff that are available 24 hours a day. Funding cuts will impact these life saving services for survivors.
Rape crisis centers are facing:
And now, right when survivors need state support the most, Maryland is considering slashing its Victim Services Stabilization Act by $10 million this year and up to $25 million in the future.
These cuts will be devastating to rape crisis centers and other programs helping crime victims, like child advocacy centers, domestic violence shelters, and programs helping homicide victims.
The Maryland’s Victim Services Stabilization Act, championed by lead sponsors Chair Ben Barnes and Chair Guy Guzzone, was enacted in response to fluctuations in federal Victim of Crime Act (VOCA) and was designed to ensure Maryland will always have at least $60 million dollars of combined state and federal VOCA funding by adding state money to the federal funding. The needs of victims and survivors are still more than available resources, but the legislation past last year stabilizes funding and helps provide consistent services to survivors.
We know it’s a tough budget year. But we also know that there are proposals to increase some programs, increase staff, and increase resources. Tell your legislators: please don't cut victim services.
Maryland can make better choices.
