Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Celebrates 40th Anniversary
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and October 12, 2024 marked the 40th anniversary of the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). This monumental piece of federal legislation has transformed the landscape for crime victims in the United States, providing a foundation for services, compensation, and advocacy that continues to make a significant impact today.
The Crime Victims Fund
Before this legislation, crime victims often found themselves facing significant barriers in their pursuit of both justice and healing. VOCA emerged as a powerful response to this gap, establishing the Crime Victims Fund which directs federal funding towards supporting state victim compensation and assistance programs. This approach ensures that funding is consistently available without placing additional burdens on taxpayers.
Director of VOCA, Kristina Rose, stated that more than $38 billion dollars have funded local programs since VOCA was enacted. These programs provide legal assistance, victim advocacy, crisis intervention, and mental health and housing services to help victims and survivors. VOCA-funded programs have offered hope and assistance to millions of people who have faced everything from domestic violence and sexual assault to human trafficking and elder abuse. Some of our firm’s cases are referred to us from local non for profits or legal organizations that receive funding from VOCA.
How VOCA Helps Victims of Domestic Violence
One of the key impacts of VOCA-funded programs is the availability of emergency shelter and housing assistance. Victims of domestic violence may require immediate safe housing to escape dangerous situations. VOCA funds help maintain shelters that provide a safe haven, food, clothing, and support services, allowing survivors and their children, and every sometimes their pets to start rebuilding their lives in a secure environment.
As mentioned, VOCA supports legal advocacy services that assist victims with protective orders, child custody arrangements, and other legal matters that arise from abusive relationships. Legal programs funded by VOCA are essential in helping survivors navigate the legal system, which can be intimidating, overwhelming, and costly. With free legal support, survivors are better equipped to obtain justice and gain independence from their abusers.
Crisis intervention and mental health services funded by VOCA are also vital for survivors of violence, as they help individuals address the trauma resulting from abuse often in real time. Trained professionals provide counseling, support groups, and therapeutic services to help victims process their experiences, cope with the psychological impacts of abuse, and begin the healing process.
Commemorating 40 Years of Progress
The 40th anniversary of VOCA is a testament to the transformative power of the Victims of Crime Act and the countless individuals who have worked tirelessly to support crime victims. Over the last four decades, VOCA has changed lives, brought justice to victims, and provided a foundation for healing. However, cuts to VOCA funding has occurred. In Massachusetts, VOCA Bridge was introduced to bridge the gap for the necessary funding. VOCA Bridge is a multi-year state funding request to the Massachusetts Legislature to address ongoing cuts to VOCA-funded programs in order to help maintain free, critical victim services for all. Thanks to the devotion of allies that fiercely advocated for this funding over the last few years, additional funds in the amount of $20 million for the VOCA Bridge has officially been secured. This funding will help victim service programs to continue to provide essential services to survivors of crime in Massachusetts through FY25.
Hera Law Group recognizes and admires the advocates who pushed for VOCA federally and now the advocates that tirelessly work to further extend the benefits of VOCA in Massachusetts.
