WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – Domestic violence shelters and related programs are facing ongoing challenges statewide due to a decline in Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding, marking the sixth consecutive year of reductions.

VOCA was established in 1984 to fund programs that support crime victims. However, since 2018, annual funding has decreased each year, making it harder for organizations like domestic violence shelters to provide assistance.

According to the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, the state received over $103 million in 2018 to help crime victims.

This amount dropped to approximately $25 million in 2024 and may decrease to around $16.5 million in 2025.

These decreases are already affecting shelters within the county.

“Starting October 1, we already lost one of our VOCA funding sources, which pays for two full-time positions, so that’s over $125,000 per year,” said Lauren Bryant, Executive Director of the Domestic Violence Shelter and Services. “And our other funding source is our basic services, which is a funding source that is mostly guaranteed for domestic violence shelters, rape crisis centers, and child advocacy centers…and so we’re seeing that as a steady decrease, so compared to 2018, we’re at a third of the funding that we’ll be receiving this year.”

The reason for the decline in funds is that the Victims of Crime Act receives its money from federal criminal fines, fees, and penalties, and since 2017, those funds have decreased.

“We’re trying to find other funding sources,” said Bryant. “We’re looking to our local and our state elected officials, and our community. Domestic violence is a community issue, and it really needs a community response.”

Bryant says the shelter in New Hanover County does not solely rely on the VOCA funds.

They also receive funding from a small investment fund, which means they are not at risk of reducing services offered; however, the VOCA funds are a sizable part of the budget.

“Our plan is to hope to maintain our staff and our services, but it will depend on the community support, our local, our county, and city level support, our individual donors,” said Bryant.

The shelter helps around 1,400 people in New Hanover County each year, and reducing services would be a last resort.

“If we did in a result have to let someone go and reduce our staff size, that reduces our services that we’re able to provide this community…Everybody’s safety should matter,” said Bryant. “They’re humans, they’re individuals, everybody should matter.”

The Domestic Violence Shelter and Services has been serving the county for over 40 years and helps with support, protective orders, material assistance, transportation, and resources.

If you would like to provide financial assistance, you can do so at their public office located at 2901 Market Street, host a fundraising event in their name, or visit one of their three Vintage Values shops on Castle Street, College Road, or in Monkey Junction.

“Survivors of domestic violence deserve to have organizations, and deserve to have community support, and to be safe in their homes. That should be your safest place,” said Bryant.

Copyright 2025 WECT. All rights reserved.