California Advocates Rally to Save Domestic Violence Services Amid Funding Cuts

Hundreds of advocates, survivors, and nonprofit leaders gathered in Sacramento to protest looming funding cuts to victim services. With domestic violence reports climbing across California, advocates say cuts to federal VOCA (Victims of Crime Act) funding threaten to shutter shelters and hotlines.

Scope of the Crisis

• California relies heavily on VOCA grants for domestic violence services.

• Some shelters face 40% budget shortfalls without replacement funds.

• Hotlines warn of longer wait times, leaving survivors at greater risk during crises.

Voices from the Rally

• “If these cuts go through, survivors will die waiting for help,” one advocate said.

• Survivors shared stories of shelters saving their lives, stressing the human cost of budget cuts.

Policy Demands

• State lawmakers urged to backfill lost VOCA funds.

• Advocates pushing for multi-year stable funding to stop the cycle of short-term crises.

• Expansion of community-based prevention and legal advocacy programs.

Conclusion

Cuts to domestic violence services in California aren’t just a fiscal matter — they threaten lives. Without reliable funding, survivors will face impossible choices between staying with abusers or risking homelessness.

FAQs

1. Why are California DV services at risk?
   Federal VOCA funding cuts.

2. What services are impacted?
   Shelters, hotlines, and legal advocacy programs.

3. How much funding is being lost?
   Some shelters face up to a 40% cut.

4. What solutions are proposed?
   State lawmakers filling the gap with emergency funds.

5. Why is stable funding important?
   To prevent shelters from recurring cycles of crisis closures.