As a survivor myself, and someone who has made protecting victims of crime a focus of my legislation and work in the Assembly, it has been particularly difficult to hear from organizations throughout our community impacted by the cuts being made to critical programs that offer victim support and services.

The recent cuts to the Department of Justice by the federal administration alone will have devastating impacts to victim services organizations, leading to a decreased capacity to support people who rely on these organizations as a literal lifeline during some of the most difficult times in their lives.

As said in one report, “In the absence of this funding, many programs will be forced to abruptly reduce or cease providing critical services, including crime solving; gun violence prevention; victim services; mental health and substance use services; reentry; and youth support.”

As if that isn’t enough, the same organizations are also impacted by federal layoffs, Medicaid cuts, cuts to free legal aid services that many victims of crime rely on to seek justice, as well as the major shortfall in funding for the Victims of Crime Act.

Given that President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans have thus far been unwilling to backfill the VOCA cuts, which would allow many of these organizations to continue operating........

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