UNC report could help guide state's response to reduction in federal funding for crime victim services

A recent University of North Carolina analysis could help state officials navigate a steep reduction in federal funding for victims of crime services. This could impact local community and domestic violence intervention programs among others.

Federal criminal fines and penalties support the Crime Victims Fund, which helps organizations across the country assist survivors.

According to the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, the state received $42 million in 2023. This year, it's projected to receive only $23 million.

The Governor's Crime Commission oversees these funds. Executive Director Caroline Farmer says the reduction could be devastating for organizations reliant on this money.

"When these funds go down 40%, this is a heavy impact for those sub-grantees and how they are able to perform the work that is so vitally needed across the state," she says.

Farmer says the Victim of Crime Needs Assessment conducted by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill could now help the state prioritize where the money is distributed.

"This is going to be very helpful for our commissioners when they're choosing priorities and what is most critical to fund," she says. "We can let folks know up front, these are our priorities for how we're going to fund."

Recommendations from the report include prioritizing funding for initiatives that address regional and rural barriers to services.