Time Sensitive! The fight for VOCA continues- we can't let up now!

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Contact your Senator TODAY to support Amendment #1: VOCA Grants & the VOCA Bridge!

We have to be frank- we are as confused and frustrated as you are about the legislature's inability to address this critical funding problem in a timely manner.

But we must continue raising our collective voices keeping in mind all those children who are silenced by abuse.

Senator Comerford, a wonderful champion for children and all victims of crime, has filed Amendment #1: VOCA Grants for $20 million dollars to address, in part, the funding gap for victim services.

*The Senate will debate on Thursday March 24th - so it’s critical they hear from YOU today!*

Action is needed right NOW!

PLEASE - help us with this work - YOU ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE!!!

Please to contact your State Senator and ask that they support Amendment #1: VOCA Grants and ask that they share their plan to prevent cuts to victim services!

It takes just 3 steps:

Click To Find Your State Senator

Step 1: Find your State Senator using the link above

Step 2: Contact them via phone or email

Step 3: Urge your Senator to save victim services by supporting Amendment #1 & ask their plan to bridge the total VOCA gap of $60 million (click for a call script and email script).

***Highlight the VOCA funded programs in your district with county-specific fact sheets (click the link for details).***

It's okay to respectfully express your frustration about this situation! FEEL FREE TO ADD:

Victims and survivors have grappled with devastating challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Why add to their burdens by making their lives MORE difficult on top of everything else? The loss of services and critical staffing will impact every city and town in Massachusetts.

The Senate must act NOW to prevent layoffs to more than 160 programs and loss of services for nearly 100,000 victims of crime Massachusetts, including child sexual abuse and exploitation.

I'm frustrated!

Why is this continuing to be a problem when the state has plenty of money?
What other priorities are more important than helping children who have been sexually abused?
I want professionals to focus on treating victims of crime instead of advocating for their funding

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can't this money come from the federal government?

NO - while needed changes were made to the way VOCA funds flow (with the VOCA Fix Act), there is still a funding gap that cannot be fixed on the federal level.

*Each state must step in to bridge VOCA funding to sustain victim services*.

How much funding is needed?

A state investment of $60 million dollars is needed to prevent layoffs and loss of services for the next three years. Senator Comerford’s amendment will address part of the need ($20 million will prevent cuts in FY’23) - but we still need a long-term fix to bridge a remaining gap of $40 million to prevent devastating cuts to victim services.

Wasn’t this already addressed?

Governor Baker's supplemental budget included the full $60 million needed to sustain victim services and prevent layoffs and loss of services for the next three years. However, the House and Senate did not include this in their supplemental budgets.

We need the Senate to follow the Governor's prioritization of this CRITICAL funding.

PLEASE CONTACT YOUR STATE SENATOR ASAP AND ASK THEM TO SUPPORT AMENDMENT #1 and The VOCA Bridge!

Massachusetts Children's Alliance | machildrensalliance.org

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