Legislative Advocacy
Local agencies providing life-saving services for victims of crime are facing a financial crisis like we’ve never seen. In the past 5 years alone, Virginia’s funding from the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) has been cut by a whopping 47.5% and discretionary TANF funding is projected to disappear by FY25. As a result of these ongoing and devastating cuts, the community safety-net for victims is rapidly eroding. But we can turn this around. It’s time for Virginia to PUT VICTIMS FIRST.
The #PUTVICTIMSFIRSTVA campaign is a multi-year strategy to create an all-encompassing and integrative statewide fund that ensures ALL victims of crime can access the services they need.
Legislative Resources:
Legislative Advocacy 101 Primer
General Assembly Session
Each year the Action Alliance works with our Public Policy Committee, membership, partners, and allies to develop a legislative agenda outlining our priority issues during the upcoming General Assembly Session. Our priority issue areas are determined in November-December with a legislative agenda released in early January.
Action Alliance Legislative Priorities 2022
2022 Virtual Advocate’s Toolkit
2022 Crossover Update- 2022-2024 State Budget
Expand the Hope Card Program: Vote YES on HB 671
Vote “NO” on SB 174 Talking Points
The Session Scoop: Updates from the General Assembly
- Episode 3, February 22, 2022- Crossover Edition (link opens YouTube in new tab)
- Episode 2, February 11, 2022 (link opens YouTube in new tab)
- Episode 1, January 25, 2022 (link opens YouTube in new tab)
2021 Virtual Advocate’s Toolkit
Action Alliance Legislative & Budget Priorities 2021
Fact Sheet: Restoring Crucial Investments in Prevention
Infographic: It’s Time to Fund Prevention
Infographic: Sexual and Domestic Violence on the Rise
Infographic: Prevention Programs Stop Violence Before It Happens
Sign up for Action Alerts
Action alerts are an easy way to stay involved in legislative advocacy. The Action Alliance sends email action alerts about state and federal policies to encourage movement partners and members to send an email, post on social media, or make a call on urgent policy issues. Click here to sign up for policy action alerts.
To learn more, reach out to policy@vsdvalliance.org.