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Washington Advocates Warn of Budget Shortfall Threatening Crime Victim Services
Funding cuts could mean fewer services for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and other crimes
Jan. 27, 2026 at 3:47pm
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Crime victim advocates in Washington state are warning that a budget shortfall could force them to cut critical services for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and other crimes. They are asking for at least $21.4 million in state funding, but the governor's proposed budget includes only $12 million, leaving a significant gap.
Why it matters
The funding helps support 140 organizations across the state that provide essential services like 24-hour hotlines, child forensic interviews, legal advocacy, emergency shelter, and other supports for victims. Without this funding, many survivors may lose access to the help they need during traumatic times.
The details
Washington's main funding source for victim services, the federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) State Plan, has plummeted from nearly $75 million in 2018 to less than $18 million in 2024, forcing advocates to rely more on state funding to maintain services. However, the state's backfilling has not kept up with rising costs, leading to layoffs and service cuts at some organizations, including a 40% reduction in medical services at a children's advocacy center in Spokane.
- The state legislature's 60-day session ends on March 12, 2026.
- Crime victim advocates will be in Olympia on Tuesday to advocate for full funding.
The players
Kate Garvey
CEO of the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center.
Sherrie Tinoco
Public policy director at the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Paula Reed
Executive director of Children's Advocacy Centers of Washington.
Sen. Manka Dhingra
A Democratic state senator from Redmond who has proposed legislation to stabilize crime victim funding.
Rep. Lauren Davis
A Democratic state representative from Shoreline who is proposing increasing state court financial penalties to help pay for victim services.
What they’re saying
“We're not asking for new; we're not asking for more. We're just asking for continuation, like keep us level.”
— Kate Garvey, CEO of the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center
“These funding gaps are real services that survivors are no longer going to receive. We're worried.”
— Kate Garvey, CEO of the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center
“For each advocate that an organization lays off or doesn't fill a vacant position, that's a whole caseload of individuals. That's people that, when they call, there is no longer the ability to serve them.”
— Sherrie Tinoco, Public policy director at the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence
What’s next
State lawmakers will release their own budget proposals in February before agreeing on a final spending plan to send to the governor's desk in March.
The takeaway
The proposed budget cuts to crime victim services in Washington highlight the ongoing challenges of maintaining critical support for survivors, especially as federal funding sources fluctuate. Advocates are calling on state lawmakers to fully fund these programs to ensure victims can access the help they need during difficult times.
