Many of us will be fortunate to never have to think about how to go about recovering a loved one’s remains from the medical examiner’s office. We will never have to consider what resources might be available to help us pay for an unexpected funeral we can’t afford, all while processing that someone we love has been tragically murdered.

But in October, that was the heartbreaking reality for the family members of 18 people who lost their lives in the mass shooting tragedy that took place in our community. Fortunately, we were lucky that there are people who do think about these resources every day, and who help families affected by tragedy navigate their way through some of the darkest hours of their lives.

But unfortunately, the funding for these critical resources is currently in jeopardy. This session, the Legislature must step up and fill the funding gap.

For years, the federal Victims of Crime Act has funded programs across the country that provide support for victims of violent crime. However, due to congressional inaction, federal funding for states is expected to be drastically reduced. In the coming year, Maine is set to receive 60% less VOCA funding, leading to alarming potential consequences for victims and the organizations that support them.

Maine recipients of VOCA funding include organizations like the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence, the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault and the Children’s Advocacy Center. VOCA funding also supports court-appointed special advocates in child protective cases in the Judicial Branch, services for older Mainers through Legal Services for the Elderly and the Elder Abuse Institute of Maine, and services for new Mainers through the Immigrant Resource Center of Maine.

As proud representatives of Lewiston, we know how critically important this funding is — and the significant role it played — in supporting services for victims in the direct aftermath of the Oct. 25 tragedy.

While many Mainers were waking up to the horrific news the next morning, and while many in our neighboring communities were still sheltering in place, the first victim advocates from the homicide team in the Attorney General’s Office were arriving in Lewiston. In the hours and days that followed, the team helped more than 200 people, including family members of the victims, others who were injured and those who witnessed the shooting.

They assisted with legal services, arranged for American Sign Language interpreters for the deaf community, and performed many other tasks. Collectively, they helped with many of the decisions that nobody ever wants to think about, but needed to be made in those heartbreaking moments.

The position of director of victim services at the Attorney General’s Office — who coordinated the response and provided critical assistance in our community’s hour of need — is funded entirely through VOCA. They also worked closely with other VOCA-funded organizations such as Pine Tree Legal Assistance and Disability Rights Maine. Without them, it would have been even more difficult for those who lost loved ones that day.

As the Senate chair of the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee and the assistant House majority leader, we are calling on all of our colleagues in the Legislature to support L.D. 2084, which would appropriate $6 million to make up the expected shortfall once federal funding is cut. VOCA funds the services that most people aren’t aware of until the moment they desperately need them. Many of the organizations that provide these services are already underfunded and understaffed; we can’t afford to let Mainers down by allowing any further cuts.

Seldom can we predict when a tragedy will strike, but when it does, it is our responsibility to provide help to those in need. We can — and must — pay tribute to the Lewiston victims by making sure the next Mainer who needs help at the worst moment in their lives is able to receive it.

Sen. Peggy Rotundo serves Lewiston in Maine State Senate District 21. Rep. Kristen Cloutier represents House District 94, which includes part of Lewiston.

Copy the Story Link