MADISON–Rep. Robyn Vining joined Attorney General Josh Kaul at Sojourner Family Peace Center in Milwaukee for a victims’ rights roundtable during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. Rep. Robyn Vining (D-Wauwatosa) released the following statement:
“Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding is essential to providing critical services to victim-survivors of human trafficking, domestic abuse, child abuse, sexual assault, and more. Forced cuts to services and staff have resulted in reductions of the resources crime victim-survivors need and deserve–this is the direct result of significant reductions in funding. The roundtable provided the opportunity to hear directly from people at organizations that work directly with victims–the people who can speak to the hardships resulting from VOCA funding cuts. The District Attorney’s office, and law enforcement officers from the MPD sensitive crimes division were also in attendance to share their input.
“The Wisconsin Department of Justice requested over $67M over the next two years in the state budget to support victims service providers and maintain victim services positions. It’s important to know that there is a relationship between VOCA funding and prosecutions. We need to understand that VOCA funding cuts can result in a decrease in prosecutions because victim services are part of empowering victim-survivors to engage in the justice process. We must fund essential services, and support victim-survivors the ways they deserve to be supported.
“I appreciate the conversation we were able to share this week. My gratitude to Attorney General Josh Kaul for bringing attention to the need to fund support services for victims, and to the advocates who invested their time with us so we can better understand what happens when VOCA funding is cut–thank you for your advocacy, and your work. Forward, together.”
Rep. Vining represents the 13th Assembly District, which includes Elm Grove, and parts of Wauwatosa and Brookfield. For more information visit Rep. Vining’s website here.
