State nonprofits built to support victims of domestic violence are facing serious capacity issues as a result of federal funding cuts. Several are overflowing with client requests, leaving nonprofits no choice but to put them on growing waitlists or deny them altogether. 

Sharyl Kato, executive director of The Rainbow Project, told WPR’s “Wisconsin Today” the timing of service is critical when helping people in crisis, but funding cuts are causing significant delays. 

“40 to 70 percent of (families we serve) are involved in intimate partner violence, and we have programs for the children who are exposed to this domestic violence,” Kato said. “Untreated trauma is really what leads to more severe problems … I’m concerned about not being able to see the long term benefits of these services.” 

The federal funds in question come from the Victims of Crime Act, or VOCA. According to the federal Office for Victims of Crime, the money in the VOCA fund comes from “federal criminal fines, forfeited bail bonds (and) penalties.”

The U.S. Department of Justice allocates that money, but there are caps on deposits and payouts from the fund. Congress establishes the caps every year “as a part of the appropriations for DOJ.”

Kato said VOCA funding is critical to meeting a growing demand for their services. “Crisis centers and shelters are having long waiting lists. We’ve had a waiting list of up to six months.”

Megan Lee, attorney and Communications and Development Director for Judicare Legal Aid in Marathon County also spoke with “Wisconsin Today.” Lee said the funding cuts have meant Judicare Legal Aid has had to turn away cases that otherwise would have been accepted. 

In partnership with nonprofit Legal Action Wisconsin, Judicare Legal Aid developed “The Elder Rights Project” and its award winning program, “The Crime Victims’ Rights Project.” According to Lee, both programs have been defunded due to the VOCA funding cuts. 

Attorney Lauren Hamvas is the Manager of Victim Service Programs from Legal Aid Wisconsin. Hamvas told WPR Legal Aid Wisconsin lost 70 percent of their VOCA funds this year.

“As a result, we have had to reduce and shift staff and reduce the types of cases we are able to accept,” Hamvas said. “For many of our potential clients, we were their only option for this kind of legal help, and we have nowhere to refer them to. Since the funding cuts started to hit in 2024, we have had to reject over 1,000 people who came to us for help in these programs.”

According to the Department of Justice, The Rainbow Fund Inc., Judicare Legal Aid and Legal Action Wisconsin are three of over 100 Wisconsin-based programs that received VOCA fund grants last year. 

Hamvas said she expects more funding cuts down the road. To prepare for potential losses, Judicare Legal Aid and Legal Action Wisconsin are collaborating on public online guides for those seeking legal help.