The federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) helps support our state’s rape crisis centers, domestic violence shelters, child advocates and child advocacy centers, anti-sex trafficking programs (including for child victims of sex trafficking), victim-witness coordinators in State’s Attorneys Offices, programs for homicide survivors, and other programs helping victims of crime throughout Maryland. These are not one-time projects, this is funding for core services like counseling, hospital accompaniment, shelter, and advocacy.
Massive cuts to this funding source over the last few years, and the danger of additional cuts this year, are threatening to end federal support for thousands of Maryland survivors. The state would have to pick up the tab or leave survivors without the help they need.
A bipartisan group of Senators and Representatives introduced legislation this week to help continue victim service funding with the VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act of 2021 (“VOCA Fix”). Passing this bill fortifies VOCA funding by ensuring financial penalties from deferred prosecution and non-prosecution agreements are used to assist crime victims.
Over 1600 organizations and government agencies signed a letter urging Congress to pass this legislation, and we need your help to make sure it becomes law quickly!
Responding to crime victims takes a joint effort from both the State of Maryland and the Federal Government. Ask Congress to do its part to support victims of crime, including victims of child sexual abuse, sex trafficking, rape and other sexual offenses.
Call or email now and ask Maryland Senators and Representatives to support the VOCA Fix legislation that protects vital services for sexual assault survivors.
It is essential that Maryland survivors continue to receive the lifesaving housing, legal services, advocacy, and healing services they need.
U.S. Senators from Maryland
Senator Ben Cardin
@SenatorCardin
(202) 224-4524
Senator Chris Van Hollen
@ChrisVanHollen
(202) 224-4654
U.S. Representatives from Maryland
Andrew P. Harris (R), 1st Congressional District
202-225-5311
C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger III (D), 2nd Congressional District
202-225-3061
John P. Sarbanes (D), 3rd Congressional District
202-225-4016
Anthony G. Brown (D), 4th Congressional District
202-225-8699
Steny H. Hoyer (D), 5th Congressional District
202-225-4131
David Trone (D), 6th Congressional District
202-225-2721
Kweisi Mfume, 7th Congressional District
202-225-4741
Jamin B. (Jamie) Raskin (D), 8th Congressional District
202-225-5341
