This is a guest opinion column

In 1986, the first Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) opened its doors in Alabama as a safe and supportive environment for child victims of abuse to share their experiences, receive necessary services and begin the healing process. In the decades since, CACs have sprung up across the nation and the Alabama Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers, Inc. (ANCAC) pioneered the commitment to bring justice and care to child crime victims and their families.

But now, centers spanning the whole country, including all 67 counties in Alabama, are facing severe budget cuts that may force us to shut our doors.

For decades, The Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), and through it the Crime Victims Fund (CVF), has assisted CACs and our workers in creating a safe environment for children to heal and find justice. This fund consists solely of the fines and fees paid by criminals during prosecution or following a guilty plea or conviction. Through it, countless children and their families have found a safe haven they can rely on during their most difficult moments.

This year, VOCA experienced a $600 million cut, posing an unprecedented challenge for the nearly 1,000 centers nationwide. CACs nationally are now forced to consider making cuts to resources and staffing or, in the worst cases, closing down for good.

In Alabama, VOCA is a vital funding source, providing nearly 67% of our operational budget. Without this foundation, our ability to effectively respond to the needs of child victims would be severely compromised, making it near-impossible for us to protect and advocate for the most vulnerable population in our community.

Our CACs also coordinate the multidisciplinary response to child abuse throughout the state, working in partnership with law enforcement and the Alabama Department of Human Resources. However, with the impending funding cuts, 315 fewer cases of child abuse will be prosecuted in Alabama, 4,079 children at risk of losing access to vital services and too many will face their abuse alone. These cuts will not only limit our ability to assist child victims but also weaken efforts to hold offenders accountable, ultimately putting more children at risk.

When facing a cut of $8,578,000 to victim advocacy services across the state, and knowing that the cost to serve a single child is $2,103, it becomes evident that now is the time to address the problem before the worst comes to pass.

While we work for a long-term solution for CVF funding, it’s paramount that we keep these services up and running. That is precisely what Rep. Ann Wagner (R-MO) along with Reps. Nathaniel Moran (R-TX), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Stephanie Bice (R-OK), and Jim Costa (D-CA) propose with the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2024. This bill ensures that innocent victims can continue to receive the support that they rely on most, at no cost to taxpayers.

We thank Reps. Mike Rogers, Terri Sewell, Robert Aderholt and Dale Strong who have already given their support for the CVFS Act of 2024. Now, we urge all of the Alabama delegation, both House and Senate to follow suit and support this critical bill to build a future where all child victims of crime have access to the essential services that let these kids get back to being kids.

Lynn Scott is state executive director for the Alabama Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers, Inc. (ANCAC). She is an experienced educator, quality assurance manager, and director with over 25 years of experience in teaching, leadership, and advocacy.