It's a dire situation for victim service programs across Oregon as they face abrupt and severe funding cuts. Clackamas County District Attorney John Wentworth, who also serves as the president of the Oregon District Attorney's Association, delivered a poignant statement during a news conference on Monday. According to Clackamas County's website, Wentworth described this moment as standing "on the edge of a catastrophic failure in our duty to protect the most vulnerable people in our communities: the victims of crime."
The Victims of Crime Act fund (VOCA) has been the cornerstone for nearly 150 victim service providers in the state for decades. But now, the federal funding that has been instrumental in sustaining these services is set to be eliminated. Wentworth called the impending cuts a "human crisis," noting his office would need to severely cut back on victim advocate positions—professionals who have been pivotal in ensuring crime victims' voices are heard in court. Wentworth underscored the gravity of the situation, urging that action must swiftly be taken to prevent further escalation in violence and crime. "When you cut victim services, you are choosing to have more crime," Wentworth declared in the statement provided by Clackamas County.
In response to this funding emergency, Oregon's District Attorneys have urgently called upon the Oregon Legislature to convene an Emergency Board meeting to backfill the VOCA funding. "We call on the Emergency Board to take immediate action to maintain critical services through the 2025 fiscal year," Wentworth stated, emphasizing the perilous situation for domestic violence survivors and child abuse victims without these essential services.
The impact of these cuts has already begun to manifest, with organizations like Clackamas Women’s Services being forced to scale back on staff and programs. Beyond Clackamas County, the state-wide ripple effects threaten the closure of shelters and reduction of advocacy efforts that are vital for the welfare of crime victims. Echoing the sense of urgency, Marion County District Attorney Paige Clarkson added, "Oregon's victim support systems are on the brink of collapse, and swift action from lawmakers is crucial to preserve them." These concerns, detailed by Clarkson in Clackamas County's release, are shared by many across the state who recognize the precarious position in which these budget cuts have placed the community.
Oregon's victim service providers were recently informed to expect funding cuts up to 80%, a drastic reduction that cannot be understated. The new federal application requirements for 2025 and 2026 include conditions incompatible with Oregon's legislative framework, as noted in ORS 181A.826, also known as the 2021 Sanctuary Promise Act. These disclosures paint a stark picture for the future of victim services in Oregon, and it's apparent that bold measures will be needed if these crucial supports are to be salvaged.
