People who have suffered rape, child abuse or domestic violence can get more help after advocacy agencies in New York received an infusion of state funding. But service providers report it’s still leaving many victims’ services short. A range of agencies hailed it as good news when Governor Kathy Hochul approved $36 million dollars in gap funding.
“It means that when a survivor calls a hotline in the middle of the night, there is more likely to be someone there to answer. It means that when a survivor arrives at a hospital after a sexual assault, an advocate can be there so that they do not have to navigate the experience alone. It means that survivors can continue receiving counseling, legal assistance, support groups,” said Alliance Against Sexual Violence Executive Director Emily Miles.
The additional funding will reportedly avoid layoffs and service cuts at rape crisis centers, domestic violence services, and child advocacy agencies.
McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center in Syracuse benefitted from additional funding. Executive Director Erin Bates said it allows for their services to continue without interruption, “not only saving much needed direct service positions but also necessary service and provisions for victims of crime.”
New York Children’s Alliance Executive Director Theresa Roth said these financial decisions “determine whether there's an advocate there to walk alongside a child and family, whether a child can access specialized mental health support after experiencing abuse, and whether families, especially those in rural communities, can get the help that they need.”
But Roth warns the funding through the State Office of Victim’s Services falls short of the need. She noted child advocacy centers, CACs, for example, still would receive $2 million less than they did last year.
Miles explained the funds are awarded through competitive grants, which causes uncertainty for the agencies.
“We need to have a better plan for how these funds are used moving forward, we know that there are core services throughout the state that every survivor should have access to. And currently, this funding stream isn't structured in a way to ensure the stability of those services,” said Miles.
The organizations said a dedicated provision in the state budget for such services would remove uncertainty.
Vera House and Volunteer Legal Services are among local agencies that could benefit from the additional funding.