NCJ Number
177067
Date Published
1998
Length
47 pages
Annotation
This report provides information on Nebraska's Crime Victim's Reparations Program (CVR), the Victims of Crime Act Program (VOCA), and the Stop Violence Against Women Act Program (VAWA) for 1997.
Abstract
VOCA is designed to assist innocent crime victims with medical expenses, mental health counseling, loss of wages, funeral bills, loss of earning power, and other expenses directly related to the criminal act. This report covers program administration, the processing of claims, reasons a claim may be denied, appeals, funding, Federal funds, activities, and relevant 1996-97 legislative initiatives. A data summary of program activities for fiscal year 1996-97 is provided. The Nebraska Crime Commission has administered the Federal Victims of Crime Act Formula Block Grant Program since 1986. VOCA funds are to be used to provide direct services to crime victims, such as counseling, shelter, transportation, court advocacy, assistance with the criminal justice system, etc. After describing a VOCA program, this report presents relevant statutory declarations, a review of program assessments, a description of program activities, a profile of the computer victim notification system, and 1996-97 funding. Data on VOCA awards are also provided. The VAWA grant program, part of the 1994 Federal Crime Bill, is intended to help build comprehensive programs to combat violence against women. Fourteen Nebraska VOCA programs are summarized, and VOCA awards for 1996-97 are listed. The concluding section of the report presents provisions of State statutes on crime victim's reparations and crime victims and witness assistance.