Rape crisis services in Illinois face an uncertain future as a federal funding freeze looms, threatening vital support for survivors of sexual violence. The Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ICASA) warns that 24-hour hotlines, counseling, medical advocacy, and prevention programs could be severely impacted if funding is halted. Last year, over 20,000 survivors sought help from the 31 ICASA centers, while more than 650,000 participated in prevention initiatives.
“This unprecedented threat to halt Congressionally approved funding unnecessarily places survivors of sexual violence and the communities in which they live and work in the center of a fight over resources that was already decided.” ICASA Chief Executive Officer, Carrie Ward, said. “It is crucial that the federal government meet its obligations so survivors can continue to receive the services they need, 24-hour hotlines can stay open and the first-responder efforts by rape crisis center staff can remain available. ICASA calls on the federal government to continue to be a source of support, not harm, to survivors.”
The potential freeze, despite a rescinded White House memo, has already caused harm by creating uncertainty for survivors and staff. Over 60% of the funding comes from the Victims of Crime Act, sourced from federal crime fines, not taxpayer dollars. ICASA urges the federal government to uphold its commitments and calls on Illinois lawmakers to maintain state funding levels. For more, contact Carrie Ward, Chief Executive Officer, or Sean Black, Chief of Staff, at 217-753-4117 or via email at [email protected] or [email protected].
- Federal funding is used for crucial services to survivors of sexual violence. These funds help operate 24-hour hotlines, crucial counseling services, medical advocacy in emergency rooms, and rape prevention programs in Illinois schools. Losing federal funding results in an immediate reduction of services in your community.
- Survivors having services interrupted in the middle of recovery is detrimental and retraumatizing. The uncertainty of the funding situation is simply cruel to those survivors. Schools and other community groups counting on rape prevention programs being delivered will be left scrambling to meet education mandates if funding is halted.
- Contracts for federal funding were initiated and executed. Ongoing work by rape crisis centers is paid for on a reimbursement basis. A funding freeze leaves programs in limbo as to whether they will be repaid for completing their duties as agreed upon. This is unethical.
- Over 60% of federal funds received for Illinois rape crisis services are not “taxpayer dollars”; rather, they are derived from the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Crime Victim Fund (CVF). This fund consists of fines and fees resulting from federal prosecution agreements/settlements for federal crimes. Instead of saving taxpayer dollars, this freeze would unnecessarily restrict the work of rape crisis centers and reduce access to services for survivors and communities.
- The economic impact of freezing agreed-upon funding is devastating to hard-working rape crisis center staff and other nonprofit workers in Illinois communities. Eliminating this funding results in a drain on every part of a community, from grocery stores to restaurants to retail stores.
- The increased uncertainty on federal funding for rape crisis services continues to outline the clear need for the State of Illinois to continue to fund rape crisis centers at FY25 funding levels. ICASA calls upon state legislators and Governor Pritzker to demonstrate the state’s continued commitment to survivors during these tumultuous times.