LAKEWOOD, Colo — The biggest source of funding in the state to support people who've been a victim of a crime is about to take a massive hit.
Now, victims' service providers are hoping the state can step in so they can keep supporting survivors.
"It feels like a lot more people than what already do would fall through the cracks," said Laura Patlan, client services co-director at The Blue Bench.
Patlan said she sees firsthand the difference their services make for survivors of sexual assault.
A drop in deposits to the federal Crime Victim Fund in recent years means massive decreases to Victims of Crime Act, or VOCA, funding.
The Colorado Division of Criminal Justice said they're expecting a 45% cut in VOCA funds, taking a big bite out of victims' services.
"Our advocacy work is largely funded through VOCA, so it could mean shorter hours for the hotline, it could mean we see less clients out in the community. It reduces the number of people we can interact with and support," Patlan said.
"We're going to be leaving victims of all types of crimes, but particularly victims of sexual assault, without resources," said Brie Franklin, executive director of the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault, or CCASA.
Franklin said VOCA funding is the biggest funding source for victims' services in the state. And it's been dwindling for a while.
“In 2018, we got about $56 million here in Colorado. And since then, we’ve seen about a 60% decrease in our funding through what we currently have. And this next year, we’re looking at another 40-60% decrease just from the year," Franklin said. "We went, like I said, from $56 million and now, currently we have $26 million. And with the additional cuts, we might have $11 million or $12 million.”
VOCA helps fund more than 200 programs around Colorado, including 28 in Denver. Last year, those Denver programs provided a total of more than 111,000 services to nearly 21,000 people.
Franklin said this 45% cut in funding will hit providers, yes, but mostly victims.
"Well since so many of them rely pretty heavily on VOCA funds, we're looking at having to cut back staff or services that are already seeing increase in demands," Franklin said.
"If we were to reduce services, maybe we would have to move to a waitlist," Patlan said. "And what kind of survivor who is going through trauma and is going through a crisis is going to want to wait to get connected to services? That just creates a huge barrier for survivors."
They're asking lawmakers for $30 million in funding to fill the gap VOCA will leave, as well as help in finding a permanent funding solution so providers can continue to serve survivors in Colorado without fear their programs will disappear.
"It feels like a cloud just hovering behind us and will eventually either get completely stormed on or hopefully there will be nice protection in the future from state legislators," Patlan said. "Maybe they'll hold an umbrella for us."
The Blue Bench, CCASA, victims advocacy groups and survivors will be at the statehouse on March 7 in hopes of urging lawmakers to pass this $30 million one-time funding to help keep services going.
CCASA said they're already working on plans to ensure victims' services can find a more stable source of funding so they don't have to worry about VOCA funds dropping low like this again.
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