An attendee looks at a series of banners for National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Candlelight Vigil on the National Mall on April 24, 2024, in Washington, D.C. The Justice Department’s Office for Victims of Crime held the event to pay tribute to victims and survivors of crime and individuals who provide service and support. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Victim service providers from across North Carolina gathered at the state legislative building on Wednesday, urging lawmakers to prioritize funding for critical services they deliver to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse.
“We are here today because we understand that any form and all forms of abuse have lifelong scars, consequences, trauma and healing,” said Rep. Monika Johnson-Hostler (D-Wake).
Johnson-Hostler highlighted the comprehensive network of rape crisis centers, domestic violence shelters and child advocacy centers that serve all 100 counties in the state, though she noted that providers are often stretched thin and struggle to meet the growing demand for their services.
Chief Pete Acosta of the Morrisville Police Department in Wake County underscored the vital role victim advocates play in supporting law enforcement work. In 2024 alone, he said, victim service providers assisted more than 76,000 individuals impacted by violence across North Carolina.
“Funding from the Victims of Crime Act is a vital source of support for both victims and law enforcement,” Acosta said. “There’s more need, and we continue to see less money.”
Advocates are urging lawmakers to explore various legislative solutions, such as increasing state-level funding, the dedication of a portion of criminal fines and fees, and providing tax incentives for private donations.
District Attorney Seth Banks, representing several counties in western North Carolina, reiterated the need for increased funding, noting how victim service organizations enable survivors to come forward and seek justice through the court.
“These services are critical,” Banks said. “They need support, and we must continue to provide it to make our state stronger and healthier.”
Legislators in attendance, including Rep. Dennis Riddell (R-Alamance), celebrated the state’s Supreme Court ruling that opened a two year window for victims of child sexual abuse to file civil lawsuits. Riddell acknowledged the ongoing challenges faced by victim service providers and pledged to advocate for sustainable funding.
“You are the people that hold your hand out, and you pick them up out of that moment and carry them forward,” said Deana Joy, executive director of the Children’s Advocacy Centers of North Carolina. “There is not enough money in the world that could pay you for the benefits you give to the people you serve.”