NCJ Number
250237
Date Published
August 2016
Length
13 pages
Annotation
In examining Federal assistance for victims of terrorism or mass violence, this report discusses programs that broadly cover crime victim assistance and programs specifically designed to assist victims of terrorism or mass violence, and it discusses how these programs have assisted victims of various incidents of terrorism or mass violence over the last several years.
Abstract
As authorized by the Victims of Crime Act, the U.S. Justice Department's Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) supports several Federal programs that may assist victims of terrorism or mass violence. The OVC awards funds through formula and discretionary grants to States, local units of government, individuals, and other entities. These programs are funded by the Crime Victims Fund (CVF), which is an account within the U.S. Treasury that is largely funded through the collection of Federal criminal fines. The director of the OVC is authorized to set aside $50 million of CVF money in the Antiterrorism Emergency Reserve, which funds OVC-administered programs that support victims of terrorism or mass violence. Grant programs include the victim assistance and victim compensation formula grant programs and the Antiterrorism and Emergency Assistance Program (AEAP). Other programs and operations directly assist victims, including the Victim Assistance Program at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), victim witness assistance at the Offices of the U.S. Attorneys, the International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program (IITVERP), the Victim Reunification Travel Program, and various supplemental grants to and agreements with agencies and organizations that provide assistance to victims of terrorism or mass violence. From FY2014 through July 2016, the OVC distributed $42.2 million toward activities funded by the Antiterrorism Emergency Reserve in response to incidents that include, but are not limited to, the Boston Marathon bombing, Newtown school shooting, and the Charleston church shooting. 2 tables and appended funded activities under the Antiterrorism Emergency Reserve for FY2014 through July 2016.