SHARED STUGGLES AND BARRIERS TO SERVICE

Limited Funding:

• Many victim service organizations rely on grants and donations to operate, which can be unstable and insufficient. Limited funding can affect their ability to hire staff, offer comprehensive services, or reach a wider audience.
• The Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Grant is in danger of being defunded. Since 1984, VOCA has been instrumental in funding Indiana victim service providers. To learn more about this program, and why it’s in trouble, visit the Protect Indiana Crime Victims homepage.

High Caseloads:

• Providers often deal with high caseloads, making it difficult to give adequate attention to each victim. This can lead to rushed services and reduced quality of care, leaving victims feeling unsupported.

Staffing Shortages and Access to Services:

• 94% of women who are raped experience symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during the two weeks following a rape, 33% of women who are raped contemplate suicide, and approximately 70% of rape or sexual assault victims experience moderate-to-severe distress, a larger percentage than for any other violent crime (RAINN, 2021).
• There is a shortage of trained victim advocates and mental health professionals in the state of Indiana. Many organizations struggle to recruit and retain qualified staff due to low pay and high emotional demands of the job, leading to burnout. Several providers have an advocate splitting their time between domestic violence victims and victims of sexual assault and a large service area.
• One of the most common reasons for providers retaining staff is exposure to trauma and vicarious trauma.
• Victims residing in 25 counties in Indiana are underserved or not served at all because there isn’t a service provider close. Or the service provider that does exist is not 24/7. This means sexual assault victims in rural counties, including people of color, LGBTQIA+, and those who are economically disadvantaged either don’t get services or have to travel far distances for help. Bottom line: rural communities are especially marginalized.
• In some communities there may be a <Rape Crisis Center>, but there aren’t other service providers (legal, medical, mental health support) to provide a full continuum of care to victims. This issue is especially true in rural areas where the nearest hospital with a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE), who complete forensic examinations (rape kits), might be 2-3 hours away.

Housing Deficiency:

• Victims of sexual assault have unique housing needs. Not all shelters are appropriate for victims of trauma. In some cases, these shelters also can’t provide safety from abusers. Victim service providers that have also run shelters are in short supply because they require more resource

Lack of Awareness:

• Many victims may not be aware of the available services or may not know how to access them. This lack of awareness can result from insufficient outreach or communication efforts by victim service providers.

Cultural and Linguistic Barriers:

• Indiana is home to diverse communities, and some victims may face cultural or language barriers that make it hard to seek help. Providers may not always have the resources to address these needs effectively.

Stigma Surrounding Victimization:

• Some victims may feel ashamed or embarrassed about their experiences, which can prevent them from seeking assistance. Stigma surrounding certain crimes, such as sexual assault or domestic violence, can create additional barriers to service.

Complex Legal and Procedural Systems:

• Navigating the legal system can be overwhelming for victims. Many providers may struggle to offer adequate legal assistance or support in understanding rights and options, leaving victims feeling confused and unsupported.