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Washington, DC -- Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) attended President Joe Biden’s signing ceremony for the VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act this afternoon at the White House. Wexton was a strong advocate for the bill’s passage after hearing from local victim services agencies who are facing a funding crisis with federal awards being cut and have advocated to Congress for urgent help.

“It was an honor to join President Biden at the White House today as he signed the VOCA Fix into law. This is much-needed legislation which will provide crucial funding to services for victims of all types of crimes,” said Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton. “As a former prosecutor, I’ve seen firsthand the life-changing impacts that victim services organizations have for survivors. As soon as I heard from Virginia-10 victim services agencies about the dire funding cuts they were being forced to make because of the lack of adequate federal funding, I immediately took action and worked with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to deliver a solution. This legislation answers the urgent calls for help from service providers in Virginia and across the country with robust funding so that victims everywhere will get the help they need and deserve.”

“Victim Services programs across the U.S. rely heavily on VOCA grants to provide lifesaving services to victims of crime. The two-thirds cuts in federal VOCA grants this year have forced many programs, including LAWS, to reduce staffing and cut services for survivors. Advocates and survivors from across the country asked Congress for help, and Congress stepped up to respond by supporting the VOCA fix bill. We are so incredibly thankful to Congresswoman Wexton for her leadership and support in this very critical issue,” said Dr. Judy Hanley, Executive Director of the Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter (LAWS).

In March, the House passed the VOCA Fix back to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act. This legislation would redirect money collected by the federal government under deferred prosecution or non-prosecution agreements to be deposited into the Crime Victims Fund (CVF), which provides financial assistance to victims of crimes, helping to cover crime-related expenses such as lost wages and medical or mental health care costs. The CVF supports crucial victims service providers, including programs that serve victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, drunk driving, and human trafficking. 

The full text of the VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act can be found here.

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