Mercury News: “Disastrous” funding cuts to domestic violence, child sexual abuse services will hit South County hard

The Children’s Advocacy Center of Santa Clara County recently received a heart-rending call: A middle-school-aged girl had been a victim of sexual assault.

Afraid to call authorities because of her father’s immigration status, she instead reached out to an advocate at the center, who helped her file a police report, obtain a medical exam and connect to services that might help her cope with a moment of profound trauma.

The San Jose-based center helps many child survivors of physical abuse, sexual abuse and neglect. Since the start of the pandemic, the need for its services — and those of a handful of other victims’ advocacy centers around the county — has only grown.

But the design of a 50-year-old law could slash funding for such groups unless Congress or the state of California intervenes, resulting in cuts to services and staff that many describe as potentially devastating.