GREAT BAY--The agency responsible for helping victims of domestic violence, human trafficking and violent crime navigate some of the most difficult moments of their lives continues to face uncertain long-term funding, with the Ministry of Justice acknowledging that Victim Support Services, VSS, remains structurally underfunded.
Justice identified the situation as a specific implementation risk, stating that while VSS was reclassified in the 2026 budget, its structural funding remains “precarious.” The ministry said the organization plays a critical role in the justice chain, particularly for victims of domestic violence, human trafficking and violent crime, and warned that any deterioration in its capacity could affect St. Maarten’s obligations relating to victim protection.
Behind the budget terminology is a service that deals directly with people after crimes have disrupted their lives.
VSS provides individual counselling, family-support sessions, assistance during court proceedings, emotional support, case management, advocacy and help preparing Victim Impact Statements. It also assists victims with compensation claim forms issued by the Public Prosecutor’s Office and works with agencies including Social Services, SZV and Probation Services to connect victims with other forms of support.
The organization itself operates with a relatively small staff. Justice told Parliament that VSS has a full-time director and a full-time counsellor/coach, while a social worker is contracted for between 50 and 75 hours per month to provide case-management support.
Its facility consists of a private counselling room, a children’s corner and a small conference area accommodating groups of approximately five to eight people. For larger sessions, the organization rents additional space at minimal cost. Services are available in English and Spanish, while French and Haitian Creole interpretation is contracted when necessary.
Government’s subsidy to VSS increased from Cg 250,000 in 2023 to Cg 450,000 in both 2024 and 2025. However, Justice disclosed that the final 10 percent of the subsidies for both 2024 and 2025 had still not been received by the organization at the time the information was provided to Parliament.
The 2026 budget identifies approximately Cg 460,000 under the reclassification of Victim Support Services. Government’s broader justice strategy also lists the number of victims receiving VSS assistance as one of the indicators by which its victim-support efforts should be measured.
Justice provided an important qualification to its warning about structural funding.
The ministry said the existing subsidy is sufficient for VSS at its current client volume. However, it also acknowledged that referrals from important justice partners, particularly the St. Maarten Police Force, KPSM, remain considerably below what is expected. Should referrals rise to anticipated levels, Justice said additional financial and human resources would be necessary.
That creates a difficult situation for the service. Its present resources may be sufficient partly because the number of victims being referred to it is lower than expected, while increased use of the service could expose the underlying funding and staffing limitations already identified by government.
From the beginning of 2025 through the period covered by government’s budget responses, VSS had directly assisted approximately 53 clients. Another 15 people contacted the organization by telephone, message or walk-in for shorter guidance or information.
The organization also follows up with clients after their initial assistance, with check-ins conducted at approximately three months, six months and one year where appropriate.
Another significant limitation is what the VSS subsidy does not cover.
Justice confirmed that the government subsidy finances the organization’s operations and service delivery, but does not provide money for victim compensation or emergency financial assistance. VSS has continued advocating for a dedicated victim-compensation fund that could assist people facing urgent financial hardship as a direct consequence of crime.
Such needs can arise when victims suddenly face expenses connected to relocation, personal safety, medical needs, loss of income or other consequences following a crime. While VSS can provide counselling, case management and referrals, its present government financing does not give it a dedicated pool from which to provide that type of direct financial assistance.
Government has provided some additional capacity support through the Bestuurlijke Aanpak Ondermijning, BAO, project. This has included office furniture, ICT equipment, specialized training and development of a victim case-management, referral and care system. The project is being implemented together with the National Reporting Center against Human Trafficking and Human Smuggling.
The funding concern comes as Justice has placed victim support within a broader strategy that recognizes that public safety cannot depend on policing and prosecution alone.
Government’s 2026 justice policy identifies victim support, child protection, youth diversion and community engagement as part of what it calls the social foundation of public safety. VSS sits within that approach alongside programs intended to address youth violence, child protection and rehabilitation.
