St. Paul, MN – The Trump Administration is taking dangerous and unilateral action to cut funding for victim support services such as domestic violence shelters and sexual assault advocates. Recently, the Office on Violence Against Women halted all 2025 funding opportunities. Trump’s cuts to this and other federal programs funding victim services would have devastating consequences for victims' support and violence prevention efforts in Minnesota. This will also make Minnesota less safe. State Representative Kelly Moller (DFL - Shoreview) of the House Public Safety Committee, released the following statement:
“During my time as a prosecutor, as a victims’ rights advocate, and as a member of the Public Safety Committee, I’ve seen first-hand the importance of centering victims and their needs when it comes to improving public safety outcomes. While Minnesota has taken recent action to address funding for these services, we aren’t close to where we need to be; losing federal funding will undo years of progress. Victim survivors from across the state are telling us they need these crucial services. We should listen. I hope my Republican colleagues will join me in denouncing these devastating cuts from the Trump administration.”
Today is “Action Day 2025: Victim Services Are Public Safety,” a rally put on at the Capitol by a coalition of organizations, including Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Minnesota Indian Women’s Sexual Assault Coalition, Violence Free Minnesota, Mending the Sacred Hoop, Minnesota Alliance on Crime, and Minnesota Children’s Alliance. Action Day 2025 shows that any serious action to prevent dangerous crime must start with listening to and supporting victims.
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