Justice for victims, safety for all.

Dear Members of the 114th Tennessee General Assembly,

We are writing to bring your attention to the urgent and critical need for financial support for victim services across Tennessee. Interpersonal violence, which includes child abuse, elder abuse, human trafficking, domestic violence, and sexual assault, represents the most prevalent form of violent crime in our state. Victims of these heinous crimes rely on law enforcement officials and prosecutors to provide safety and justice. Our criminal justice system, in turn, depends on the specialized services provided by nonprofit organizations dedicated to addressing their needs.

Nonprofit victim service providers play an indispensable role in ensuring healing and justice for victims. They conduct forensic interviews, offer crisis intervention, provide emergency shelter and temporary housing, and deliver counseling, victim-witness advocacy, as well as a host of other essential services. Their work not only safeguards victims but also facilitates the successful prosecution of offenders, thereby enhancing accountability and public safety. As you know, public safety is the cornerstone of a stable and thriving society, providing the foundation upon which communities can grow and prosper. Therefore, we see victim service providers as indispensable community partners whose work benefits the broader public, including those who never use their services directly.

These organizations are facing an existential crisis that could result in the catastrophic collapse of victim services across Tennessee. Despite their vital role — and state law that requires many of their services —Tennessee has never established a dedicated revenue stream to support these organizations. Consequently, they have been left chronically under-resourced and reliant on inconsistent, unpredictable funding. This year, anticipated budget cuts will drastically curtail their ability to provide services. We expect programs, shelters, and entire offices to be impacted or even close. This will have devastating consequences for victims, the justice system, and our communities:

• Increased danger for law enforcement officers: Victims without access to shelter or support services are often forced to return to their abusers, leading to cycles of escalating violence. Law enforcement officers responding to these situations face heightened risks during emergency calls.

• Overburdened courts and prosecutors: Victim service providers are instrumental in helping survivors find safety and hold perpetrators accountable, ultimately preventing future crimes. Without their intervention, courts and district attorneys will be overwhelmed by an influx of cases, jeopardizing the ability to deliver justice efficiently.

• Increased threats to community safety: Perpetrators who are not held accountable remain free to harm others. This endangers the public and allows cycles of violence to perpetuate. Research shows a disturbing link between interpersonal violence and mass violence, with many offenders exhibiting histories of abuse.

To mitigate these dire outcomes, we respectfully urge the General Assembly to allocate $25 million in recurring funding during this year’s budget process. This investment is not just a moral imperative but a practical necessity. It will ensure that victims of interpersonal violence receive the protection and support they deserve, while simultaneously safeguarding our communities and reinforcing our justice system.

We stand ready to work with you to secure this critical funding and ensure that Tennessee upholds its commitment to justice for victims and safety for all.