NCJ Number
193435
Date Published
January 2002
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This OVC Fact Sheet provides information on how the Federal 1984 Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) supports State victim compensation and victim assistance schemes, and it presents a directory of State compensation and assistance programs in the United States and U.S. Territories.
Abstract
Victim compensation and victim assistance formula grant funds authorized under VOCA are administered by the Justice Department's Office for Victims of Crime (OVC). The OVC distributes VOCA grants to States in support of State compensation and assistance services for victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, drunk driving, homicide, and other crimes. All 50 States, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and Puerto Rico have established compensation programs for crime victims. To receive compensation, victims must comply with State statutes and rules, which generally require victims to cooperate with the reasonable requests of law enforcement and to submit a timely application to the compensation program. VOCA funds supplement State efforts to compensate crime victims. The formula for VOCA compensation grants to States has been based on 40 percent of the State payments to crime victims in a previous year. This will increase to 60 percent in fiscal year 2003. Each year, States are also awarded VOCA funds to support community-based organizations that serve crime victims. Approximately 6,400 grants are made to domestic violence shelters, rape crisis centers, child abuse programs, and victim service units in various criminal justice agencies, hospitals, and social service agencies. Directory information for State compensation and assistance programs includes phone and fax numbers and web site addresses.