Victim Services Funding Stretched as Demand Grows

State funding for crime victims is being spread among hundreds more service providers this year, a development state Sen. Dean Murray says highlights a troubling reality behind the numbers: More people are seeking help after becoming victims of crime.

“Look between the lines,” Murray urged. “Why do we have all of these groups? Because we have more crime victims. The state’s criminal justice system is not working, it’s harming people.”

As an example, Murray pointed to the Empowerment Collaborative of Long Island, or ECLI, a Suffolk-based nonprofit that assists victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and other abuse. He said ECLI received about $600,000 less this year, even though the state did not reduce overall funding for victim services.

Instead, Murray said, the money is now being divided among 382 additional groups providing similar assistance.

Murray joined Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt and other Republican senators in a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul calling for increased and more predictable funding for rape crisis centers, domestic violence programs and child advocacy groups.

The lawmakers said the current competitive procurement system forces providers to compete for limited dollars at a time when demand for their services remains high.

According to the letter, 36 of New York’s 48 child advocacy centers applied for funding, with six receiving nothing and 21 facing substantial reductions. A survey cited by the senators found that 30 of 42 responding rape crisis centers were losing funding, with 29 anticipating staff reductions.

The senators said the reductions are particularly concerning following adoption of a record $277 billion state budget, about $23 billion larger than the previous year.

They are calling on Hochul to establish a stable, dedicated funding stream that would allow victim-service providers to maintain staffing and plan for future needs.

For Murray, however, the expanding number of groups seeking state support tells its own story. He argues that the growing demand for victim services is another indication that New York’s criminal justice policies, particularly bail reform, are failing to protect the public.