NCJ Number
249887
Date Published
October 2015
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This report reviews the history of the Federal Crime Victims Fund (CVF), which was established by the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) in 1984 to provide funding for State victim compensation and assistance programs.
Abstract
Since 1984, VOCA has been amended several times to support additional victim-related services, including discretionary grants for private organizations, the Federal Victim Notification System, funding for victim assistance staff within the FBI and Executive Office of U.S. Attorneys, funding for the Children's Justice Act Program, and assistance and compensation for terrorism victims. In 1988, the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) was established within the Justice Department to administer the CVF. The OVC awards CVF money through grants to States, local government units, individuals, and other entities. Deposits to the CVF come from criminal fines; forfeited appearance bonds; penalties; and special assessments collected by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices, Federal courts, and FBI. In considering the CVF allocation and future caps, there are several issues on which policymakers may deliberate. Congress may consider whether to adjust the manner in which the CVF is allocated, amend VOCA to accommodate additional victim activities or groups, adjust the cap and allow use of the CVF for grant programs other than those authorized by VOCA, or make other adjustments to the CVF cap. The House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to the Bipartisan Budget Agreement of 2015 contains a provision that would, if enacted, rescind $1.5 billion from the balance of the CVF. 1 figure, 8 tables, and author contact information