Sexual assault recovery providers need recurring funding

La Piñon Sexual Assault Recovery Services provides comprehensive services and a safe space for survivors of sexual violence and child abuse across southern New Mexico. We have seen firsthand how life changing survivor services are, and want to ensure that services continue to be funded in our state for all who may need them in the future.

While the state has invested in sexual assault services over the past years, the majority of those funds have been non-recurring. These investments have been invaluable to the work of programs like La Piñon. We have invested previous funding to build capacity and demonstrate the impact these services can have on survivors.

Statewide, in 2025 alone, nearly 6,000 survivors accessed sexual assault services. Of those survivors, 30% were children and youth navigating trauma, and 42% were from rural parts of New Mexico. To not risk losing the essential services that have been developed, New Mexico sexual assault service providers need the previous non-recurring funds to be made recurring in the state budget.

Locally in southern New Mexico, La Piñon has developed/used these state dollars to sustain our Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners Program. La Piñon ensured essential medical services are readily available when necessary.

Together, sexual assault service programs like La Piñon, are requesting $2 million in recurring funds. This is not a funding increase. It is the minimum needed to maintain existing services like La Piñon, particularly in rural communities and statewide systems like the NM Sexual Assault Helpline.

More than half of people in New Mexico report experiencing sexual violence in their lifetime, and two-thirds have never received professional support. We must continue to fund these resources. When survivors reach out, New Mexico must be ready to answer every time. Recurring funding is imperative to ensuring that we are.