More than 20,000 Iowa crime victims could lose services under looming federal funding cuts – By Michaela Ramm (Des Moines Register) / Feb 8, 2024
Iowa agencies that provide support and services to victims of violent crimes say a proposed $5.4 million reduction in the state’s federal funding under consideration in Congress could cut off help to more than 20,000 Iowans.
More than a dozen organizations across the state offer assistance to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, homicide and other violent crimes. Their services range from helping victims find low-income housing to preparing for court appearances to assisting them in filling out applications for jobs or assistance programs.
To offer these direct services to clients, these nonprofit agencies rely heavily on a fund established under the federal Victims of Crime Act, or VOCA.
But Congress is currently considering a more than 40% cut to VOCA funds for the 2024 fiscal year budget, dropping the proposed allocation to $1.2 billion from the $1.9 billion budget the previous fiscal year, including a roughly $5 million loss for Iowa.
