VICTORY! Survivor-Centered Nonprofits Receive Additional Funds for Life-Saving Care

NEW YORK, NY (08/31/2026) (readMedia)-- This morning, advocates representing Rape Crisis Programs (RCPs), Domestic Violence Providers, Child Advoacy Centers (CACs), and legal services organizations applauded Governor Hochul for committing $36 million to make up for funding losses from the federal Victim Assistance Grant Program administered by the state's Office of Victims Services each year.

Governor's Friday announcement comes after dozens of programs hit hard by these cuts, including longstanding programs that received no funding through OVS this year, pushed for weeks for the Governor to fill the gaps.

WATCH THE PRESSER HERE.

Rape crisis programs were contending with a $5.211 million reduction in the state's investment in their services, Child Advocacy Centers were facing a cut of over $6.9 million, domestic violence services received devastating cuts with, programs reporting a loss of over $19 million in funding. Legal services organizations have so far identified $2.8 million in losses, however, the impact could be as much as five times higher due to pending decisions about sub-contract amounts and member organizations not captured in their survey.

These cuts represented the largest constriction of funding for survivor services providers in the state in decades. Eight of 10 regions faced severe funding cuts that were already impacting operations - terminating staff; eliminating free attorney services for survivors, including specialized services for immigrant survivors seeking asylum; cutting online resources and the attorney referral hub, trauma-focused therapy, support groups, and community outreach and prevention programming; closing locations; and ending PREA services for incarcerated survivors at a time when the federal government has already reduced services in carceral settings.

In addition to restoring these critical dollars, survivor services providers continue to call on Albany to overhaul the way the Victim Assistance Grant Program is administered through OVS' Request For Applications process. The way the grants are awarded makes little sense, failing to ensure that all communities in New York have equal access to survivor services. It's imperative that all programs serving survivors have reliable funding streams through the state in order to provide critical social services to survivors. The first step in this process is working with providers and survivors to create a comprehensive and badly needed strategic plan.

"These funding cuts were more than numbers on a spreadsheet. They meant fewer advocates answering calls, fewer survivors receiving support in hospital emergency rooms, and fewer communities with access to life-saving services. Rape Crisis Programs are the backbone of New York's response to survivors. The additional funds committed by the Governor today mean more providers can keep their doors open, their advocates on the line, and critical services available to survivors We are deeply grateful to Governor Hochul for consistently putting the needs of survivors first and for taking steps to fix this mistake quickly. We look forward to working with her on real reform so cuts like this don't happen again," said Emily Miles, Executive Director of the Alliance Against Sexual Violence.

"We are grateful to the Governor for allocating funds so that survivors across New York have the resources and support to navigate their path to achieve safety and security," said Lisa Rivera, CEO & President of New York Legal Assistance Group. "At NYLAG, our advocates proudly stand alongside survivors by crafting individualized safety and advocacy responses. As we look toward future years, ongoing support is crucial to uphold the public safety net of hotlines, crisis centers, lawyers, counselors, and advocates who partner with survivors as they navigate their journeys to reclaim their lives ."

"So many of our VOCA funded members receive pass through funding from other organizations – so we will not know the true impact of Governor Hochul's $36 million investment on our sector for some time, but we are deeply grateful that the Governor has taken our concerns seriously and stepped in to stabilize these crucial services during this time of tumult and we look forward to working together to address the systemic issues that lead us to this point. Empire Justice was preparing to shut down our Crime Victims Legal Network, a statewide program connecting crime victims with legal assistance, information and resources. With Governor Hochul's investment, the program is now 40% funded and we are determining what we can retain, based on what is most impactful for crime victims and possible within the reduced budget. It will be hard, but we are grateful to at least be able to keep it going," said Kristin Brown, President of the New York Legal Services Coalition Board and CEO of Empire Justice Center said.

"We are deeply grateful to Governor Kathy Hochul for her decisive action in securing an additional $36 million to protect and restore New York's vital crime victim services. This crucial funding injects immediate stability into the Center for Elder Law & Justice (CELJ), ensuring our dedicated legal team can continue providing free civil legal help and advocacy to vulnerable individuals without the threat of devastating service reductions. Most importantly, these resources directly safeguard our Rural Elder Abuse Program, in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties, allowing us to maintain a lifeline of protection, safety planning, and specialized care for older adults facing abuse in our most isolated communities," said Karen L. Nicolson, Esq. CEO/ED at Center for Elder Law & Justice.

"The $11.7 million in additional funding for licensed domestic violence programs is an important first step. Advocates raised their voices and were heard. However, more needs to be done. Domestic violence programs are still facing significant shortfalls impacting services and staffing. And service deserts exist where survivors do not have access to the support they deserve. We understand the urgency that survivors and domestic violence programs are facing and look forward to working with the Governor and legislature on the reforms needed to assure continuity and sustainability of services," said Connie Neal, Executive Director of the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

"We are incredibly grateful to Governor Hochul for hearing our call to action and stepping forward with an additional $4.8 million for Child Advocacy Centers. Her response at such a critical moment will help protect services for children who have experienced abuse and demonstrates her continued commitment to their safety and healing. The Governor's investment provides much-needed relief and will make a meaningful difference for CACs across the state. At the same time, CACs will still receive more than $2 million less than current funding levels, and two CACs serving three counties remain unfunded by OVS-leaving those communities facing difficult decisions about how to maintain critical services for children and families. We look forward to building on the Governor's commitment and working together toward a long-term funding strategy that gives CACs-and the children who depend on them-the stability they deserve," said Theresa Roth, MPA, Executive Director at New York State Children's Alliance, Inc.