ESCADV goes to Richmond to lobby for General Assembly funding

Local agencies supporting victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, and human trafficking are facing a severe funding crisis due to continued cuts to the federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) program. Over the past five years, Virginia has lost $22.5 million in VOCA funding, with frontline agencies, such as the Eastern Shore Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ESCADV), experiencing a 54% reduction in resources.

The VOCA funding cuts stem from a decline in deposits into the VOCA Crime Victims Fund, which is managed by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). VOCA funds come from federal criminal fines, penalties, and forfeitures—not taxpayer dollars. However, a shift in how the federal government prosecutes corporate crimes has resulted in fewer deposits into the fund. Instead of requiring corporations to pay fines into VOCA, the DOJ has increasingly used deferred prosecution and non-prosecution agreements, redirecting funds elsewhere.

As a result, the funding shortfall has weakened critical safety-net services, leaving victims without essential support. To address this crisis, ESCADV is joining the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance in Richmond on January 30 to advocate for $8.25 million in additional state funding. When combined with existing state and VOCA funds, this increase would restore Virginia’s annual funding for these services to $27.75 million.

“We must put victims first and ensure agencies can continue to provide frontline support and 24/7 crisis response,” said Kasey Walter, Executive Director of ESCADV.

Kayla Gray, ESCADV’s Fund Development Coordinator, emphasized the urgency of the issue. “I look forward to meeting with Delegate Bloxom and Senator DeSteph to address the funding crisis faced by ESCADV and sexual and domestic violence agencies across the state,” she said.

In 2024, ESCADV provided support services to 223 Eastern Shore residents, including 73 children. With demand for services rising, the organization expects to serve even more victims in 2025.

Advocates warn that without immediate state intervention, many agencies may be forced to cut essential services, leaving vulnerable individuals without emergency shelter, legal advocacy, counseling, and crisis response support. ESCADV and its partners are urging lawmakers to act swiftly to protect victims and sustain these life-saving programs.