The moment a survivor reaches out for help is critical and demands an immediate response. That’s why Rose Brooks Center provides 24/7 services, including our crisis hotline, emergency shelter, hospital-based advocacy through our Bridge Program™, and direct connections from law enforcement when someone is at high risk of being killed by their abusive partner.
But proposed crime victim and domestic violence funding cuts in Missouri could put these lifesaving services at risk when survivors need them most.
Rose Brooks Center recently submitted testimony supporting Missouri House Bill 2418, legislation that would establish the Missouri Crime Victims Fund and help stabilize funding for victim services across the state. Without action from the Missouri Legislature, a projected 50% reduction in federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding could lead to catastrophic reductions in services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse.
Across Missouri, advocates estimate these reductions could mean:
- 140,000 crime victims not receiving services
- 13,000 survivors losing access to emergency housing
- Jeopardizing crisis intervention for survivors in highly-lethal situations
- Severe reductions or elimination of 24/7 hotlines and hospital-based advocacy services
- Fewer advocates helping survivors navigate orders of protection and criminal cases
These services are the foundation of survivor safety and losing them would, in many cases, be a matter of life or death. In 2025 alone, law enforcement agencies in Jackson County connected 4,951 victims at high risk of being killed by their abusive partner to advocacy, shelter, and support services through Rose Brooks Center and partner agencies. These survivors had experienced some of the most dangerous indicators of lethal violence: strangulation, stalking, threats with weapons, or threats to kill them and their children.
State and Federal Cuts Are Colliding
These federal reductions are being compounded by proposed cuts at the state level. The current Missouri budget proposal includes a $1 million cut to the Domestic Violence Shelters & Services (DVSS) program, a critical funding source that supports emergency shelter and advocacy services across the state.
For many communities, services are already stretched thin. In 2025 alone, Rose Brooks Center served survivors from over 20 rural Missouri communities—many of which no longer have a local shelter or advocacy services after domestic violence organizations were forced to close due to funding shortages.
When local services disappear, survivors often have nowhere to turn except organizations like Rose Brooks Center. The reality is clear: the need for domestic violence services continues to grow while funding at both the state and federal level continues to shrink.
24/7 Advocacy Is at Risk
Many of the advocates who answer our hotline, respond in hospital emergency rooms through our Bridge Program™, and support survivors that connected to us by police are in grant-funded roles supported by VOCA funding.
If these cuts move forward, our ability to ensure help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week will be directly impacted.
How You Can Help Protect Services for Survivors
Rose Brooks Center urges Missouri lawmakers to approve HB 2418 and establish the Missouri Crime Victims Fund to help protect critical victim services.
Our community can help ensure survivors are not left without support. Call your Missouri state representatives and senators and urge them to restore funding for crime victim services, including DVSS and VOCA-supported programs.
Help us ensure that when survivors reach out for help through our hotline, or get connected to us in the middle of the night through a hospital or the KCPD, Rose Brooks Center will still be there.
Find the contact information for your Missouri Representatives
Find the contact information for your Missouri Senators
Help close this funding gap by making a donation to Rose Brooks Center
