Governor Wes Moore announced a significant investment of $60.5 million in federal and state funds aimed at expanding victim services in Maryland. This funding, administered by the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy, highlights the Moore-Miller administration’s efforts to improve public safety and offer more support to victims of crime across the state.
The Governor emphasized the importance of providing resources to crime victims in order to restore trust in the justice system and improve safety within communities. “In partnership, we are reaffirming our commitment to supporting victims of crime and ensuring that every Marylander has access to the resources they need to heal and seek justice,” said Governor Moore. “When people feel safe and feel like justice will be served, we have a better chance of getting convictions, closing cases, and restoring trust between our communities and the forces sworn to protect them. Today, we take a step toward each of these goals.”
The allocated funds include $33.9 million from state contributions and $26.6 million from federal resources for FY25. These funds will support an array of victim services across Maryland, including payments to crime victims, forensic exams for sexual assault survivors, advocacy services for domestic violence survivors, and legal assistance for victims.
A New Approach to Funding
For the first time in six years, the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy implemented a fully competitive process for distributing Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funds. This open and competitive funding model aims to ensure responsible taxpayer spending, enhance diversity among service providers, and extend the reach of support to more geographic areas and new organizations.
Executive Director Dorothy Lennig of the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy spoke to the benefits of this revamped funding approach. “Victims of abuse, trauma, and violence need resources and support to transform dire circumstances into hopeful futures,” Lennig said. “This competitive process has allowed new organizations to access funding—including breaking down barriers that may have previously existed for newer or smaller service providers—so we are able to expand our reach and help more Marylanders.”
The competitive process has already demonstrated success, with more than 85% of applicants receiving funding, representing jurisdictions across the state. This inclusive approach has allowed new and smaller organizations to compete for public funding, expanding victim services’ reach to more areas of Maryland.
Grants Supporting Critical Victim Services
The funds will be used to support a variety of essential victim services. These include covering expenses for families of homicide victims, providing advocacy services for sexual assault and domestic violence survivors, and offering legal support for crime victims.
Adam Rosenberg, Executive Director of LifeBridge Health’s Center for Hope, highlighted the importance of VOCA funding for his organization’s work. “Victims of Crime Act funds are a vital lifeline throughout Maryland for more than 100 victim service providers and tens of thousands of survivors each year,” Rosenberg stated. “Thanks to the Victims of Crime Act and Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy statewide support, Center for Hope helps domestic violence victims escape life-threatening situations, provides child victims of abuse tools to reclaim their childhoods, and partners with community members to free neighborhoods plagued by gun violence.”
Similarly, Jeanne Yeager, Executive Director of the Mid-Shore Council on Family Violence, explained how VOCA funding has enabled the organization to offer comprehensive support to rural domestic violence victims. “Victims receive short- and long-term support with housing, legal, mental health, transportation and employment, as well as assistance with food, basic needs, and other barriers that they face. Victims of Crime Act funding has helped many victims increase their safety, emotional healing, and ability to meet basic needs,” Yeager said.
Looking Forward
The funds provided through the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy represent a significant step forward in the state’s efforts to ensure that every crime victim in Maryland has access to essential resources. By widening the availability of services and making the funding process more inclusive, Maryland hopes to create a safer, more supportive environment for victims of crime.
Residents can learn more about the available services and the grant distribution process through the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy’s interactive grant map, which offers detailed information on the funding and services available in their area.
