 Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller made the following statement today in regard to the federal budget deal that redirects $1.5 billion out of the Crime Victims Fund to use to pay for other federal government spending:
“It is unconscionable that a fund created to funnel desperately needed dollars into state and local victim service providers will be raided to pay for government’s inability to find sound, long-term solutions to reducing debt. The Crime Victims Fund is one of the rare self-sustaining funds that takes fines imposed on criminals and uses those dollars to support, provide shelter for and give hope to the many victims of violent crime in our country, those who are the most vulnerable among us. After many visits to victim service providers across Indiana in urban and rural communities, I can tell you many of these entities are in urgent need of support. I can also tell you that the victims these entities serve, unlike elected officials in Washington, would not view this fund as free money; it came at a very high cost. I urge Indiana’s Congressional delegation to take follow-up legislative action to protect the integrity of this fund and ensure crime victims do not continue to pay government’s bills.â€
Zoeller created the Victims Services and Outreach Division within the Indiana Attorney General’s Office this year to focus support on victims of violent crime, including sexual assault, domestic violence and human trafficking. He serves as a board member for Indiana’s Coalition to End Sexual Assault.
