Funding cuts jeopardize support for victims of crime in Stanislaus County. What can be done?

After the alleged perpetrators are put behind bars, the victims of crime often need help with the trauma. They need emotional support in court and assistance with filing claims for compensation.

The victim services unit in the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office assisted 14,031 crime victims in the 2023 calendar year and helped 2,388 victims file claims with the California Victims Compensation Board for funeral expenses, medical bills and other costs.

Funding for the county program through the federal Victims of Crime Act amounted to $1.55 million in 2023, but the program is facing a $690,000 reduction in VOCA funding starting in October, a staggering 45% cut, said Cheryl Grogan, county victim services program manager.

“Cuts this deep will absolutely impact our ability to serve crime victims as fully, effectively and timely as necessary,” Grogan said by email. “We need state or county intervention to fully support this program.”

Charlotte, a Stanislaus County resident, said she believes her young granddaughter would not have survived the trauma of assault without the victim services. Charlotte asked that her full name be concealed to protect her grandchild’s identity.

“Mentally and emotionally, they were right there for us,” Charlotte said. “They were the best group of people I ever worked with, from the detectives to the victim advocates.”

Members of the unit provided emotional support during the multiyear court case. Mental health counseling was among the services offered to the young victim, who was then 13. She probably received the most vital support from a victims advocate in court and an assistance dog named Honor. The dog remained at her side when she was on the witness stand.

“My granddaughter is an animal lover,” Charlotte said. “As soon as she saw the dog, she latched onto her and would not let her go.”

Charlotte said she was told by detectives the suicide rate among teenage victims of assault is high. Because of defense legal maneuvers, the court process dragged on for years. It was not until they received a letter that the assailant was in prison that her granddaughter perked up and didn’t have to look over her shoulder anymore, Charlotte said.

Her granddaughter, now a young adult, still struggles with anxiety but is getting her life on track. “This funding is extremely important,” Charlotte said. “It is a roller coaster. I am grateful they were there.”

Despite lobbying by domestic violence coalitions, the state Office of Emergency Services announced in April a 43% reduction in VOCA allocations for the 2024 fiscal year. The allocation for county programs and nonprofit agencies that support victims of domestic violence and sexual assault is $87 million this year, compared to $153.7 million the previous year.

The funding cuts also affect the HAVEN center of Modesto, Court Appointed Special Advocates and the Family Justice Center of Stanislaus. Groups like HAVEN are trying to determine how the overall figure translates into a reduction of grant dollars.

May Rico, executive director of HAVEN, said via email that the center assisting victims of domestic violence and sexual assault is in a better position than some agencies. VOCA funding represented about 30% of HAVEN’s expenditures last year.

Some agencies in other counties receive 60% to 90% of their funding through VOCA, Rico pointed out. HAVEN has been dealing with the funding challenges for months, making cuts to legal staff who assist people with obtaining domestic violence restraining orders.

County programs and nonprofit agencies are hoping for approval of Assembly Bill 2432. It proposes larger fines for corporations that commit wrongdoing and would direct the money into a fund for crime victim services.

Victims of crime need assistance

Grogan, who has managed the unit for almost 10 years, said crime victims may need crisis intervention, grief counseling, a court escort to help them understand trial procedures and other help to pick up the pieces.

Many of the people receiving assistance suffered violence at home, while others lost loved ones to vehicular manslaughter or homicide.

State compensation is available for funeral expenses and burial costs, medical bills, lost wages and damage to vehicles or homes. Some victims may need help with recovering property that was taken as evidence in a court case, Grogan said.

The District Attorney victim services unit has 17 staff positions, though some are vacant. Other than two county-funded positions, the Victims of Crime Act accounts for 87% of the county program’s funding, Grogan said.

She said the program already has taken losses because the VOCA funding does not keep pace with cost-of-living and negotiated salary increases. The major reduction announced last month could cost the program additional positions. The canine court escort, Honor, is semiretired but is still called on to assist as needed. A new facility dog, Janie, is undergoing training.

Grogan said the program is looking for ways to provide services for crime victims, regardless of the funding level.

“If we have a smaller staff, we will always do the best we can,” Grogan said. “But we won’t be able to meet everyone’s needs. We won’t be in court with everyone.”