Press Release: 4/16/2026

MOVA and the Victim and Witness Assistance Board Announce Federal Grant Award Cuts; Urgent State Investment Needed

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

4/15/2026

MEDIA CONTACT

Brenna Chase, Deputy Chief of Staff

 Online

Email Brenna Chase, Deputy Chief of Staff at brenna.chase@mass.gov

BOSTON, MA., April 15, 2026 - Following a vote at the April 15 board meeting, the Victim and Witness Assistance Board (VWAB), governing body of the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance (MOVA), approved federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding awards to support 88 victim service agencies across the Commonwealth to provide free, direct services to crime victims in Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27). Awards granted this year reflect a significant decrease in both total funding allotted and the number of programs supported compared to previous years due to a shortfall in federal funding.

MOVA received over $47 million dollars in funding requests with only $25 million available to distribute in FY27. Without state funding, currently funded programs face an average reduction of 35% beginning on July 1, 2026. Some currently funded programs are losing funding entirely, and other programs who applied will not be funded. 

“Victims of crime in Massachusetts deserve compassionate, consistent, and reliable support and services,” said Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, Chair of the VWAB. “These services are essential to survivors’ safety, stability, and healing. As federal funding becomes increasingly uncertain, a strong state investment is critical to ensure providers can continue their work and avoid service reductions or closures that would put lives at risk.”

These funding cuts, combined with ongoing federal actions, underscore the urgent need for a dedicated state investment. MOVA and partners in the victim service community are advocating to state legislators to fund the TRUST Line, a $13.8 million funding request to the state budget, to close the growing gap in federal funding reductions and address the ongoing limitations placed by the administration that disproportionately impact underserved communities. 

“Amidst these funding cuts, the demand for services continues to grow,” said Liam Lowney, Executive Director of MOVA. “Providers across the state have worked tirelessly to stretch resources thin to meet the needs of survivors. MOVA remains hopeful that with support from the state, the impacts on these critical services will be lessened, and victims, survivors, and providers will get the support they deserve.” 

The VWAB approved additional funding scenarios that would allow MOVA to quickly revise and increase awards should state funding be secured. This approach ensures that if the TRUST Line is secured, reductions can be mitigated and services for victims can be restored as quickly as possible.

While the state has previously provided supplemental funding to stabilize services amidst ongoing federal reductions, no commitment has been made yet for FY27. In FY25, MOVA-funded programs supported over 70,000 victims of crime statewide, providing over 400,000 services. Of that, state dollars funded 201,513 services to survivors.

For more information about the VWAB or the TRUST Line, please visit www.mass.gov/mova.