Across Colorado, a crisis is unfolding — one that is putting survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse at risk of losing access to life-sustaining services and support.
Organizations providing these survivor-centered services rely on Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant funding, which comes from fines and penalties collected from federal crimes. Because of recent changes in federal prosecutions and fines, this critical source of funding is running dangerously low. According to the Colorado Department of Public Safety’s Division of Criminal Justice, which manages VOCA grants in the state, Colorado is facing an estimated 50% cut from last year.
A loss of half of this essential funding would have devastating ripple effects in every community across the state. Over 200 agencies and organizations in Colorado rely on VOCA funding to maintain their services. While VOCA is federally funded, these cuts will be felt locally, impacting survivors from the San Luis Valley to Denver Metro and everywhere else in between. At Mariposa Center for Safety (formerly the YWCA of Pueblo), we are already at a critical juncture in providing services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.