By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
As the demand for the Cocoon’s services spike during the pandemic, the agency’s funding has been slashed.
The money normally received from the state’s Victims of Crime Act, has been cut by 39%. That’s a loss of $185,000, according to Kathy Mull, the Cocoon’s executive director.
Meanwhile the Cocoon has seen a 15% increase in domestic violence and sexual violence cases this year, with much of the increase being attributed to isolation brought on by the coronavirus.
The requests for services included safe shelter, 24/7 crisis support, medical and legal advocacy, and safety planning.
“The biggest jump occurred in March when the shutdown went into effect,” Mull said. That first month brought a 40% increase in needs.
As the stay-at-home orders began to lift, the Cocoon saw a 50% increase in sexual violence reports.
“We know the need is greater than ever,” Mull said, noting that the agency had helped 603 survivors this year as of Oct. 1.
Most of Ohio’s domestic violence programs are preparing for staff and service reductions after learning that the VOCA funding source will be cut by nearly a third. This has resulted in a $7.7 million shortage for Ohio programs for the fiscal year beginning Oct 1, 2020.
The VOCA grants, administered by the Office of the Attorney General, fund more than 50 programs across Ohio. The state funds are the Cocoon’s largest funding source.
At the same time, COVID-19 has made it impossible for the Cocoon to hold its annual fundraisers.
“Not only did we take a hit in VOCA funds, but our fundraising is down,” Mull said, explaining that two major fundraisers are held each year to raise money locally. “We’ve not been able to hold either one this year.”
The Cocoon has no plan for reducing programs, charging for services or cutting staff.
Instead, the agency is turning to the community that has supported it in the past.
“We are having conversations with community partners to make up the shortfall,” Mull said. “The community has been incredibly generous with us.”
The Cocoon has been a beacon of hope for survivors in Wood County since 2005, according to Mull.
“We’re committed to continue providing a safety net for our community,” she said. “But we’re going to need people to help us.”
To learn how you can help, visit www.thecocoon.org or call 419-373-1730 for more information.
The VOCA cuts are a result of declining deposits into VOCA’s non-taxpayer funding source, the Crime Victims Fund. The fund, which includes fines from white collar prosecutions, has declined significantly since 2017 due to changing prosecutorial strategies.
