New York victim service groups face significant state funding cuts

Victim service organizations across New York are reporting significant funding reductions following the state’s latest Victim of Crime Act grant awards. Child advocacy centers statewide have seen a 31% reduction in funding, totaling a loss of more than $6.9 million. Specifically, the Child Advocacy Center of the Finger Lakes is among six centers that received no funding for 2026.

Other providers, including SafeHorizon, reported decreases in their state grants. Some organizations, such as the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center in the Bronx, lost their entire awards. Advocates expressed concern that the funding is being spread too thinly to meet the high demand for services, including forensic interviews, counseling, and domestic violence shelter support.

A spokesperson for the Office of Victim Services stated that the agency faced an unprecedented response, with 316 groups applying for funds that exceeded the available pool by approximately $500 million. The agency noted that the $126.5 million being awarded annually represents the largest investment in victim services in the state’s history, but acknowledged that competitive procurement and federal funding uncertainty necessitated difficult decisions.