The good news: Gov. Mills has included urgently needed one-time funding in a supplemental budget to address recent devastating federal funding cuts essential to securing the safety and well-being of thousands of victim-survivors of domestic violence in our communities. It is imperative that the Legislature secure these funds for 2025 – and beyond. 

Maine’s funding under the federal Victims of Crime Act would drop a staggering $6 million in fiscal 2025 at a time when services are needed more than ever. These critical services help surviving family members in the wake of homicide, provide legal assistance for low-income Mainers, specialized housing for survivors of elder abuse and human trafficking, sexual assault and domestic violence advocacy, and more.  

For our organization, New Hope Midcoast, the loss of funds represents 12 percent of our annual budget, translating into the loss of irreplaceable services for neighbors impacted by domestic violence in Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Knox, and Waldo counties – specifically, the elimination of our 24/7 helpline, individual advocacy and support and our entire Legal Advocacy Team. These cuts would be catastrophic to our agency and our community. 

We are so grateful to the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence for helping craft LD 2084; the survivors who testified; the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Anne Carney, D-Cumberland, all members of the Judiciary Committee and Gov. Mills, who understood the urgency and moved the bill and funding forward. We now call on the Legislature to make the $6 million funding ongoing to replace current and anticipated reductions in grants and keep our most vulnerable communities safe. 

Vera Roberts is president of the New Hope Midcoast Board of Directors