Crime victim funding is critical for kids

With the rush of summer activities, you may have missed an important announcement a few weeks ago from Gov. Kim Reynolds and Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird. The announcement was regarding the state providing $5.5 million in one-time bridge funding to ensure crime victims in Iowa have access to critical services such as medical and mental health care, temporary housing, lost wages, and courtroom advocacy.

This year, the Federal Victims of Crimes Act (VOCA) Fund has faced a $700 million deficit due to declining restitution criminal defendants pay as part of their sentencing. With the nearly 40% cut in Federal VOCA Funds, States would be forced to reduce critical services available to victims of crime, including children who have experienced unthinkable trauma. This cut in funding places Iowa children at risk of lifelong health and mental health challenges if childhood trauma remains untreated. Reynolds and Bird should be applauded for taking action to ensure Iowa children who are victims of crime and adult victims have access to the care they need to be healthy and well.

Iowa’s congressional delegation has also recognized the importance of ensuring the VOCA Fund is whole in the future. U.S. Reps Randy Feenstra, Ashley Hinson, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, and Zach Nunn deserve our sincere thanks as they have all signed on as co-sponsors to The Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2024 (H.R. 8061). This legislation provides stable funding for crime victims through 2029.

These federal funds help support Iowa’s six Child Protection Centers, which provide pediatric expertise in forensic interviews and medical evaluations for children. In 2023, the centers in Iowa served more than 4,000 Iowa children who had been victims of physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, human trafficking, and had been a witness to violence. The Federal Crime Victims Fund also supports training and technical assistance for law enforcement, attorneys, child protective services workers, victim advocates, medical and mental health professionals to ensure appropriate care and investigation techniques are available when working with child victims of all ages.

Iowa’s members the House have prioritized fixing the shortfall in the Crime Victims Fund, and we are hopeful the Senate also will prioritize a solution to the looming Crime Victims Fund deficit. Iowans who have been victims of crime, especially our children, need the assurance they will be able to access the care they need to survive and thrive both today and in the future.

Dr. Wendy Woods-Swafford is vice president & medical director at Blank Children’s & Women’s Services. Julie Kelly-Molander is manager, UnityPoint Health — St. Luke’s Child Protection Center.