Baltimore Nonprofit Fights for Funds to Aid Crime Victims

A Baltimore nonprofit, HER Resilience Center, is taking legal action against the state of Maryland, Governor Wes Moore, and the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy (GOCPP). They claim that the state has not reimbursed them for money spent on helping victims of crime. The center supports women who have experienced domestic violence, sex trafficking, and other violent crimes. They provide services like counseling and advocacy. The nonprofit says the state owes them $218, 000 for 2025 and $74, 000 for 2024. These funds come from the federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA).The GOCPP says they follow fair and transparent processes for their grants. They manage $300 million in grants each year. But the nonprofit says the state denies their invoices. They claim the services provided were not what the victims needed. The lack of funding has made it hard for the nonprofit to keep running. They had to stop services temporarily. The nonprofit says this is not just about money. It's about the impact on survivors who rely on these services. The legal team for HER Resilience Center says, "This is about the harm caused by bureaucratic delays and unfulfilled promises to survivors of violent crime. " They argue that when funding is withheld, services stop, and victims are left without help.