IN Domestic Violence Shelter Issues Plea for Urgent Public Action

One Indiana organization is pleading with the community to stand up and speak out. Now is the time to act to help this life saving service.

Domestic Violence Resource Desperately Need Our Help

Albion Fellows Bacon Center has been serving victims of domestic and sexual abuse since first opening its doors in 1981. This organization works tirelessly to help those that need their services but right now, the organization needs our help.

What is Albion Fellows Bacon Center?

Albion Fellows Bacon Center is an organization that works as an advocate, providing resources and education to empower victims of domestic and sexual violence. The 501 c3 non-profit serves eleven Indiana counties including Vanderburgh, Warrick, Posey, and Gibson, as well as Pike, Crawford, Dubois, Spencer, Harrison, Orange, and Perry. The organization offers emergency and crisis services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

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Albion Fellows Bacon Center Services are Free and Confidential for All

Albion’s services are free and confidential and offered to anyone impacted by sexual or domestic violence, including human trafficking and stalking. In addition to serving primary victims/survivors, those who have experienced abuse, Albion provides advocacy and support to secondary survivors, those impacted by violence through the abuse of a loved one.

An Urgent Plea for Help from Albion Fellows Bacon Center

Citing federal cuts to the Victims of Crime Act, the center is begging the community to advocate. They say that Indiana House Bill 1123 is the answer but the clock is ticking to get the bill to the Senate before February 20, 2025.

Survivors of child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking are at risk of losing critical services due to devastating federal cuts to the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). Without immediate state support, agencies will be forced to close—leaving victims with nowhere to turn. - Albion Fellows Bacon Center

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What Indiana House Bill 1123 Would Do for Crime Victims in Indiana

Indiana HB 1123 would restore Victims of Crimes Act funds to the almost 200 local programs, including those offered at Albion Fellows Bacon Center. In 2023 alone, those funds provided care to over 200,000 adults and children across Indiana.

VOCA funding is critical to the nearly 200 local programs to deliver services to victims of child abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking. Funds are used in a variety of ways to support victims including: therapy, case management, legal advocacy, transportation, prevention education, shelter needs and more. Indiana’s child advocacy centers, domestic violence shelter programs and rape crisis centers have suffered from a 40% decrease in VOCA funding, since 2019, which has resulted in elimination of staff, increased caseloads, reductions in some services, especially court advocacy, community education, and economic and housing supports. The 2024 proposed federal budget includes a 42% cut from 2023 funding levels. ProtectIndianaCrimeVictims.org

VOCA Funding Has Seen a Dramatic Decline in Funding in Indiana in the Last 5 Years

These organizations are already operating at staggering budget cuts over previous years.In 2019 Indiana received $45 million in VOCA funding. In 2024, those funds were cut to just $15.7 million. Now they are at risk of losing funding entirely in 2025.

How You Can Help Albion Fellows Bacon Center and Other Domestic Violence Shelters

To help Albion Fellows Bacon Center, and the nearly 200 other organizations that offer support and resources to victims of crime in Indiana, you are encouraged to contact your respective Indiana representatives. Tell them that you believe that Indiana must fill the financial gap to protect victims. To find the contact information for your representative, you can use the Find Legislators option at IN.gov here. Albion has offered a sample script that you can use when you call.

HB 1123 is a bill that financially supports programs that serve victims of crime such as domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and child abuse. Federal funds to support crime victims are likely to be cut 40% or more in the next few years. HB 1123 provides state money to fill in the gap, but so far it has not been considered by the Indiana House. Please contact Ways and Means Chair Thompson and encourage him to give HB 1123 a hearing in his committee.

To learn more about Albion Fellows Bacon Center, visit them on Facebook. To learn more about House Bill 1123, visit Protect Indiana Crime Victims.

Evansville Community Resource Guide

If you have found yourself in need of a little extra help, you are not alone and there are many resources available within the Evansville community. Below you will find resources for everything from childcare to housing assistance and financial assistance to budgeting help. There is a wealth of resources available in our community.

Gallery Credit: Kat Mykals