Tester Secures Nearly $5 Million for Domestic Violence Shelters, Crime Victim Services in Montana

Funds to support and grow community-based crime victim services in the state

As a part of his continued effort to ensure that Montana victims of crime have the resources they need to get back on their feet, U.S. Senator Jon Tester secured $4.9 million to maintain and enhance crime victim services in the state. The funding comes from the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) and is awarded to support local community-based domestic violence shelters and other service providers across Montana.

“Every day, Montana’s domestic violence shelters, victim advocates, and other crime victim service groups provide life-changing services and treatments to folks across the state,” said Tester. “This funding will provide these top-notch organizations with the resources and support they need to ensure our hard-working victim advocates can keep helping Montana survivors recover, heal, and thrive for years to come.”

As a leader on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Tester secured these funds and was the only member of the Montana delegation to support the 2023 government funding bill. These competitively awarded funds are made available by VOCA and will be administered by the Montana Board of Crime Control (MBCC) to private nonprofit and public agencies that provide direct services to crime victims – including survivors of violent crimes.

Tester has always worked diligently to ensure to ensure that Montana victims of crime have the resources they need to get back on their feet. After noticing a considerable diminishing balance in the Crime Victims Fund (CVF), Tester crafted and passed the VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act to increase deposits and maintain the solvency of the fund. He has also been a longtime supporter of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and supported the passage of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act to continue and improve this critical law.