Governor Hochul Announces an Additional $36 Million to Support Statewide Victim Services Organizations

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced an additional $36 million in state funding for victim assistance programs statewide, administered through the New York State Office of Victim Services (OVS). The Governor had already invested $53.8 million this year - and today's additional funding brings her total investment to $88.8 million. That record-level state investment augments $73.7 million in federal funding, making the combined total of $162.5 million by far the largest single-year investment in victim services in New York's history. The Governor's investment results in funding for 284 service providers statewide, which includes 35 new service providers to reach more New Yorkers in need. Available at no cost, these critical programs assist victims and survivors in the immediate aftermath of crime and for as long as they need help to heal and thrive.

"By delivering the largest single-year investment in victim services in State history, we're supporting even more vital programs and ensuring more New Yorkers get the help they need," Governor Kathy Hochul said. "Supporting crime victims and survivors is personal to me - and I've met with them to see firsthand the difference these programs make in our communities. My administration will continue working tirelessly to support survivors and the organizations that serve them."

Office of Victim Services Director Bea Hanson said, "This investment will have a profound impact on victims and survivors across New York, strengthening trusted programs, expanding access to services and ensuring help is available for as long as it is needed. It also provides additional critical support to the dedicated organizations and professionals who support New Yorkers during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. I thank Governor Hochul for her continued commitment to victims and survivors and the programs that help them heal and thrive."

Governor Hochul's additional $36 million in state funding delivers critical financial relief to programs across New York and enables OVS to bring new providers into the funding pool:

• 51 percent of current providers will see a significant increase from their current tentative award amounts,
• Licensed domestic violence providers will receive $11.7 million more in grant funding,
• Certified rape crisis centers will receive $11.7 million more in grant funding,
• Child advocacy centers will receive $4.8 million more in grant funding,
• And 15 additional programs that were initially not funded will now receive tentative awards.

All awards remain subject to the Office of the State Comptroller's review, and OVS will work closely with providers throughout the process.

Since taking office, Governor Hochul has advanced legislation and made record investments to support rape crisis programs, assist domestic violence survivors, improve local law enforcement responses to intimate partner violence, and expand access to compensation for crime-related expenses. The FY26 Enacted Budget included essential, commonsense reforms to New York's discovery laws to support survivors and nearly $38 million in new funding to bolster the state's public safety efforts and provide critical training, risk assessment tools, and investigative support for agencies, while empowering police and prosecutors to adopt evidence-based strategies that protect survivors and hold perpetrators accountable.

Earlier this year, the Governor announced a record-level investment of $23 million for the Statewide Targeted Reductions in Intimate Partner Violence (STRIVE) initiative, which doubles the number of participating police departments and significantly expands New York's efforts to respond to and prevent domestic violence, hold individuals who cause harm accountable for their behavior, and improve services and better support survivors.

State Senator Robert Jackson said, "Some wounds are carried long after the world has stopped seeing them. No one should ever be asked to carry that weight alone - or to heal according to someone else's clock. I commend Governor Hochul for making that responsibility a priority and investing in the organizations that stand beside victims, survivors, and families when they need somewhere to turn. The measure of this investment will not be found only in dollars, but in the people who are able to find safety, regain stability and move forward knowing they did not have to do so alone. That is what compassion looks like when we give it the force of public policy."

State Senator Lea Webb said, "As we continue to see gender based violence rise statewide and federal funding cuts to essential services, it has never been more critical to equitably fund these victim assistance programs. As the chair of the Women's Issues Committee in the Senate, I understand firsthand how our communities rely upon these services which provide protection, advocacy, education and healing for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and other forms of violence. These programs are impactful and irreplaceable. Thanks to my colleagues and advocates statewide for our collective effort in raising this important issue. I am deeply grateful to Governor Hochul for making this significant investment and continuing to support public health and safety of our communities."

Assemblymember Jeffrey Dinowitz said, "I am thrilled that the Governor is adding $36 million in state funding for victim assistance programs, including $11.7 million for certified rape crisis centers. This is a major victory for the survivors of sexual violence. I am particularly pleased that funding will be restored to the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center in my district, for which I strongly advocated. KHCC's program has served countless survivors over the years and is the only such program in the Bronx. Advocates and elected officials united in support of these crucial programs. I applaud Governor Hochul for taking this action. It will positively impact many people in my district and throughout the Bronx."

Assemblymember Donna Lupardo said, "I would like to thank Governor Hochul for responding to the bipartisan outpouring of support for NY's victim services providers. Clearly, the need for these services has outpaced the available funding. These newly allocated funds will help providers avoid drastic staff cuts, and the elimination of many vital programs. In the meantime, we need to gain a better understanding of the reasons behind the spike in demand in the first place."

Assemblymember Didi Barrett said, "I thank Governor Hochul for stepping up to invest an additional $36 million in funding to help start filling the gap in support for victim services organizations - including Family Services in Dutchess County which provides critical services for more than 22,000 children, adults, and families across the Hudson Valley. New York State has made a commitment to protect survivors and crime victims and we must ensure, now and going forward, that these organizations receive the support to do the work we depend upon them to do. I stand ready to work with my colleagues, the Governor and OVS to find long-term solutions to make sure this funding shortfall never happens again."

Assemblymember Catalina Cruz said, "I cannot understate the importance of rape crisis and child advocacy centers for survivors of sexual assault and other abuse. They are there to answer the call when no one else is, providing critical support, services, and advocacy to survivors statewide who should not navigate the system alone. We need to properly fund these organizations so that they are able to serve the entire state with adequate resources that survivors deserve. I want to thank the Governor and OVS for taking this important step in the right direction by funding these lifesaving organizations."

In addition to funding and supporting victim assistance programs, OVS administers a financial safety net for victims and survivors who have crime-related expenses and no other resources to pay for them. New York is the only state in the country with no cap on medical and counseling expenses, which ensures eligible individuals receive help for as long as they need it. All reimbursement and payments for crime-related costs are paid by fines, fees and surcharges paid by certain individuals convicted in state or federal court, not federal or state tax dollars. Visit www.ovs.ny.gov for more information and follow the Office of Victim Services on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.