Domestic violence service provider seeing funding cuts in time of increased need
Mar 25, 2025, 2:00 PM
A poster hangs on the wall at South Valley Services. (South Valley Services)
(South Valley Services)
SALT LAKE CITY — Federal funding cuts may affect local domestic violence services available to Utahns.
Lindsey Boyer, Executive Director of South Valley Services, told Utah’s Noon News that the cuts are part of an ongoing trend.
“We for sure are experiencing a cut in VOCA funding, which is a federal funding source dedicated to victims of crime,” Boyer said. “And that’s been kind of an ongoing decreasing trend over the past four years now.”
Boyer said they were also seeing COVID funds dry up and were feeling uncertain about how the Trump administration would be reprioritizing federal funding.
“We’re just remaining hopeful, but we’re also trying to prepare for additional decreases in available government funding by turning to our community and bridging the gap,” she said.
Right now, knowing the currently confirmed decreases, that gap is $160,000.
“That doesn’t even include our prevention education programming and funding that’s supporting that department in our services.”
Higher demand for domestic violence service providers
The funding cuts come at a time of increased need.
Boyer said South Valley Services is one of 15 shelters participating in the state’s lethality assessment protocol. A bill passed two years ago requires law enforcement in Utah to follow the protocol.
The passage of the bill was a positive, Boyer said, but it led to an increase in calls and referrals.
“The need has already exceeded our capacity to serve. And with this additional bill that’s passed, we are seeing an increase in not only law enforcement agency referrals, but we’re seeing even more survivors calling in our hotline and self-identifying that risk.”
South Valley Services is an emergency shelter and Boyer said they just don’t have enough beds to meet the needs of families in the state.
Anyone wanting to help the shelter with donations or volunteers can find information on the South Valley Services website.
Domestic violence resources
If you or someone you know is going through abuse, help is available.
- The Utah Domestic Violence Coalition operates a confidential statewide, 24-hour domestic abuse hotline at 1-800-897-LINK (5465).
- Resources are also available online at the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition website.
- YWCA Women in Jeopardy program: 801-537-8600
- Utah’s statewide child abuse and neglect hotline: 1-855-323-DCFS (3237)
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
