Utah’s 2025–2026 budget was passed during the last legislative session, and the new fiscal year begins on July 1st. Today, I want to bring attention to a critical issue—one that impacts thousands of lives across our state—and yet, continues to be drastically underfunded.
I serve on the board of The Refuge, an organization that provides shelter, treatment, and advocacy for survivors in Utah, Wasatch, Juab, and Carbon counties. In just the first three months of this year, The Refuge received 409 calls for help. But due to limited resources, 302 of those individuals were turned away. These numbers are more than statistics—they reflect real people, often in crisis, who were unable to receive the help they needed.
Non-profits like The Refuge rely on a mix of federal and state funding, along with donations and grants. A major source of federal support—the Crime Victims Fund—has seen sharp declines in recent years. Established in 1984 under the Victims of Crime Act, the fund is supported by criminal fines and penalties from federal cases. But since 2019, VOCA distributions to states have been cut by more than half. That drop has left a gap that state governments have been asked to help fill—but so far, not at the scale needed.
Several budget requests this year sought to address these gaps:
Representative Cheryl Acton requested $260,000 to continue the Strangulation Forensic Exam Reimbursement Program, which helps law enforcement cover the cost of exams crucial for prosecuting cases of domestic violence. The program has led to a three-fold increase in prosecution rates, yet no funds were appropriated. The program is set to end in June.
Representative Bennion requested $1.3 million in ongoing funding to support Utah’s 16 licensed domestic violence service providers, including the Refuge. While the request was prioritized by the Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee, it did not make it into the final budget.
Additionally, Utah’s rape crisis centers—which also includes The Refuge—worked with Representative Tyler Clancy to request $3.25 million annually for sexual assault prevention. Ultimately, $600,000 in one-time funding was approved, spread over three years. That averages to just $12,500 per center per year.
Domestic violence and sexual assault affect every community in Utah, and these funding decisions come at a time when Utah continues to report some of the highest sexual assault rates in the nation. Both prevention education and access to emergency services are essential—and without sustainable funding, it becomes harder to meet the growing needs of survivors statewide.
There is hope that future budgets will reflect a deeper investment in these life-saving services. Because for many survivors, timely access to help can make all the difference.