Statewide Sexual Violence Prevention + Response Professionals Call for Stabilized Funding for Survivor Services Amid Federal Cuts
For immediate release
Salem, OR — 8.20.2025 — The Oregon Sexual Assault Task Force (Oregon SATF) is raising urgent concern over federal cuts that threaten $15 million in crime victim services funding for critical programs here in Oregon.
These funds, provided through the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), are essential for survivor-centered programs that offer confidential advocacy, systems coordination, and direct support to survivors of sexual and domestic violence.
Oregon is unable to accept these federal funds because contract terms introduced by the current administration violate key confidentiality and advocate privilege protections under both federal law — specifically the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) — and Oregon law, including advocate privilege and sanctuary provisions. Under these terms, VOCA-funded service providers would be required to cooperate and assist ICE agents, even in shelters or during confidential, legally privileged advocacy sessions, directly infringing on survivors’ rights.
VAWA is a bipartisan federal law that guarantees privacy and other critical rights for survivors of sexual and domestic violence. Ensuring survivors’ privacy and confidentiality is a basic right, and fundamental to accessing care safely.
Oregon has joined other states in a lawsuit challenging the federal cuts and the problematic contract requirements. Programs affected by these cuts include confidential advocacy services, District Attorney Victim Assistance Programs (DAVAPs), Child Advocacy Centers (CACs), education and prevention initiatives in schools and communities, and specialized support for marginalized populations.
“This is not just a fight over a contract or line item in a budget — these funds save lives,” said Shannon Rose, Executive Director of Oregon SATF. “For Oregon communities to be truly safe, every survivor, regardless of their background, must have access to trauma-informed services and safe spaces, including confidential medical and advocacy support. Cuts of this magnitude put Oregon’s most vulnerable survivors, their families, our communities, and decades of progress at risk.”
“These cuts reflect a devastating reality: Oregon survivors are already paying the price for federal decisions that prioritize politics over protection, withholding access to vital funding in order to advance policies that do not serve our communities or our goal of ending sexual and domestic violence.” Rose continued. “Already, programs supporting victims of sexual violence in our state have been forced to pause services, leaving survivors without the support they desperately need in some of the most critical moments of their lives.”
She continues: “We know that our state legislators have had to make difficult decisions to manage our state's budget, but we are calling on them to step in and authorize emergency funding to mitigate the devastating impacts of the loss of VOCA funds”.
Take Action: Your donation can help sustain Oregon SATF’s mission-driven work impacted by VOCA cuts (including their nationally recognized campus program, benefitting Oregon’s students of higher education). To support survivors and help maintain essential programs, visit www.oregonsatf.org/donate. Every contribution ensures that survivors across Oregon have access to confidential, trauma-informed care and that prevention efforts continue statewide.
About Oregon SATF:
The Oregon Sexual Assault Task Force (Oregon SATF) is a statewide nonprofit dedicated to preventing and responding to sexual violence. Our membership includes over 200 professionals — including law enforcement, medical providers, prevention specialists, and policymakers — working collaboratively to create safer communities and ensure equitable access to advocacy, prevention, and survivor support. Join our work today: www.oregonsatf.org
Media Contact: Carli Rohner, Communications & Outreach Director
Email: taskforce@oregonsatf.org
