STATEMENT: Victim Service Providers and Advocates Applaud Governor’s $120M in Victim Assistance Funding

NEW YORK — In response to Governor Kathy Hochul’s Executive Budget, a statewide coalition of crime victim service providers and advocates released the following statement: 

“As organizations that deliver life-saving services to many thousands of survivors of violence annually throughout New York State—including survivors of sexual and domestic violence, child abuse, trafficking, and more—we commend and deeply appreciate the Governor for including $120 million in victim assistance funding in the proposed Executive Budget for Fiscal Year 2025.

“With deep cuts to federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding, our coalition had been calling on New York State to fill the gap to ensure that we could continue addressing survivors’ legal, emotional, psychological, and physical needs with the unique expertise and care every survivor deserves. We are grateful that Governor Hochul heard our call; the proposed FY 25 Executive budget makes clear that New York is taking seriously its responsibility to protect the life-saving, trauma-informed services we provide to help survivors restore their autonomy and safety on their own terms.

“We know the Governor cares deeply about protecting and supporting survivors, and we thank her for reflecting this in the proposed Executive Budget. Our coalition stands ready to work with her Administration and members of the New York State Legislature to ensure that the funding is allocated in a way that puts survivors and their families first.”

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