Public safety starts with survivors

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OPINION – A mother is fleeing an abusive relationship. When she contacts a shelter, she is told there are no beds available for her and her children.

A woman is sexually assaulted. The prosecutor’s office doesn’t have a victim advocate to help her navigate the legal process and sit by her side in the courtroom.

A teenage boy is a victim of a hate crime. He waits three months for a counseling appointment before giving up.

This could be the future for survivors of crime in California if Gov. Newsom doesn’t act now to sustain victim services amid a significant dropoff in federal funding.

For decades, the federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) fund has been the backbone of victim services nationwide. But in recent years, there has been a significant shortfall in VOCA funding, with California seeing a staggering 67% cut since 2019.

That leaves our state at a crossroads.

We often hear statements from politicians about the importance of standing with victims. Now is the time to turn those words into action by committing to include $100 million for victim services in this year’s budget.

You may be wondering: didn’t California already step in to address this gap?

The answer is yes – and it made a real difference. Over the past two years, the legislature, thanks to the leadership of Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo and Sen. Eloise Gómez Reyes, provided funding that protected essential services statewide.

Now, as the federal government continues to fall short, the question is whether Gov. Newsom and the California Legislature will sustain that commitment. Though the state Senate moved last month to include the funding in this year’s budget, it’s still far from guaranteed, and the stakes are too high for uncertainty.

In fiscal year 2022-23, nearly 1 million Californians relied on VOCA-funded services. That meant more than 46,000 counseling sessions for survivors of sexual assault and 18,000 for children who experienced abuse or neglect, more than 440,000 emergency shelter nights, and safe, stable housing for more than 77,000 domestic violence survivors.

These numbers are not abstract – they represent what it takes to keep people safe and help them heal in the aftermath of violence.

For survivors whose healing involves the criminal legal process, robust support systems also allow victims to feel safe to report crimes, cooperate with investigations, and participate in the prosecution process.

Without continued state investment, we will see devastating cuts – fewer shelter beds, fewer advocates, longer wait times, and, in some cases, programs closing entirely.

The human consequences of these cuts are profound. Without support, survivors face increased risks of homelessness, mental health and substance use challenges, and continued exposure to violence. Those fleeing domestic violence or trafficking may be forced to remain in dangerous situations. And without the testimony of survivors, perpetrators may remain free and potentially harm additional Californians.

These impacts ripple outward, affecting families, communities and overall public safety.

I recognize the difficult fiscal choices facing California. But we cannot ask survivors to bear the burden of balancing our budget.

Our request – $100 million – is just 0.04% of Gov. Newsom’s proposed $248 billion budget and just 0.7% of the $14.2 billion corrections budget alone.

While this is a small fraction of the budget, its impact is profound. It’s an investment not just in services, but in safety, stability, and justice.

Support for survivors should not be political, partisan or conditional – and this is the moment to ensure that commitment is reflected in the state’s budget.

Let’s fund victim services.

Let’s build sustainable solutions so survivors aren’t forced to relive their trauma year after year just to secure basic support.

Let’s ensure survivors have a seat at the table.

And let’s build a safety net that allows people not just to survive – but to heal and thrive.

The question before us is simple: when someone calls for help, will anyone be there to answer?

Together, we can ensure our response – this year and every year – is yes.

Cristine Soto DeBerry is the executive director of Prosecutors Alliance Action.