Senator Anne Carney introduces bill to provide funding for essential services for victims of violent crime

AUGUSTA — On Thursday, April 17, Sen. Anne Carney, D-Cape Elizabeth, introduced a bill to fund essential services for victims of violent crime, including sexual assault and domestic violence. LD 1139, “An Act to Provide Funding for Essential Services for Victims of Crimes,” was the subject of a public hearing before the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary.

“The loss of federal funding from the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) poses an existential threat to the vital services provided by victim services providers throughout the state of Maine,” said Sen. Carney. “These services include everything from medical care and counseling to legal advocacy and our 24/7 domestic violence helpline. LD 1139 would prevent the catastrophic across-the-board cuts to victim services that will occur if we do not step in to help. Maine’s victim services system is working well — I hope my colleagues will join me to support its continued existence.”

Until last year, federal funding through the VOCA was the core funding source for most of Maine’s victim services agencies and provided basic and essential victim services. In 2024, Maine faced a shortfall of $6M due to reductions in federal VOCA grants. The Legislature acted on similar legislation from Sen. Carney last year and appropriated the necessary funding on a one-time basis, but further funding is needed for the upcoming fiscal years to maintain Maine’s victim services network.

If passed, LD 1139 would provide ongoing funding of $6 million for crime victims services, which include counseling and mental health services, legal advocacy and assistance, and medical care and forensic exams. Any unused funds appropriated for this purpose at the end of each year will be carried forward to the following year to be used for the same purposes.

In her testimony in support of LD 1139, Elizabeth Ward Saxl, Executive Director of the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault, said, “One in five Mainers will experience sexual violence in their lifetime, and every year in Maine, 19,000 [people] are sexually assaulted. Fortunately, there are services available that can support these survivors, and we are here today to ask for your help in ensuring that they can continue to do their vitally important work. … [T]hese services will either not exist or will be drastically reduced if this funding gap is not addressed.”

LD 1139 faces further action in the Judiciary Committee.

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