Critical funding cuts for victim care centers was recently avoided when advocates, survivors, the Fresno City Council and California Governor Gavin Newsom stepped forward to show support for victims’ services programs last month, saving the Marjaree Mason Center and others like it from major funding shortfalls.
This year’s budget allocation of $1.2 billion would have cut 40% of CVF funding compared to last year; the budget is dispersed through the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) and addresses programs that provide support including rape crisis centers, legal assistance and human trafficking services along with a range of other services.
Under the proposed budget, 89 California-based sexual and domestic violence organizations projected potentially disastrous consequences if additional funding was not acquired…