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Victims of Crime Act Crime Victims
Fund
The Crime Victims Fund was established by the
Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (VOCA) and serves as a major funding source
for victim services throughout the country. Each year, millions of dollars
are deposited into this Fund from criminal fines, forfeited bail bonds,
penalty fees, and special assessments collected by U.S. Attorney's Offices,
U.S. Courts, and the Bureau of Prisons. These dollars come drom offenders
convicted of Federal crimes
not from taxpayers.
Deposits into the Fund fluctuate from year to
year. The chart below depicts deposits into the Fund from
1985 through 1998.
Crime
Victims Fund Deposits
When the Crime Victims Fund was authorized
in 1984, a cap was placed on Fund deposits for the first eight years.
However, the cap on deposits was lifted in 1993 thus allowing all criminal
fines, bail forfeitures, penalties and special assessments authorized
by VOCA for the Crime Victims Fund to be deposited into the Fund to
support crime victim program activities.
How Are Fund Deposits
Disbursed?
The first $10 million is used to improve the investigation
and prosecution of child abuse cases. The $10 million is divided between
the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ($8.5 million) and
OVC ($1.5 million). The portion administered by OVC is used exclusively
to help Native Americans improve the investigation and prosecution
of child abuse cases, particularly child sexual abuse.
The remaining Fund deposits are distributed
in the following ways:
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48.5 percent to State compensation programs.
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48.5 percent to State assistance programs.
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3 percent for discretionary funds to support demonstration
projects, training, and other assistance to expand and improve the
delivery of services to federal crime victims.
Victim Compensation
What Is Crime Victim Compensation?
Crime victim compensation is a direct reimbursement
to, or on behalf of, a crime victim for the following crime-related
expenses:
Other compensable expenses may include eyeglasses or other
corrective lenses, dental services and devices, prosthetic devices, and
crime scene clean-up.
What Is a Crime Victim Compensation Program?
Every State administers a crime victim compensation program.
These programs provide financial assistance to victims of both Federal
and State crimes. Although each State compensation program is administered
independently, most programs have similar eligibility requirements and
offer a comparable range of benefits. Maximum awards generally range from
$10,000 to $25,000.
The typical State compensation program requires
victims to report crimes to law enforcement within 3 days and to file
claims within a fixed period of time, usually 2 years. Most States can
extend these time limits for good cause. If other financial resources
are available, such as private insurance, compensation is paid only to
the extent that the collateral resource does not cover the loss.
Which States Receive VOCA Compensation Grants?
All 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the U.S.
Virgin Islands receive VOCA compensation grants.
A State is eligible to receive a VOCA compensation grant
if it meets the criteria set forth in VOCA and OVC's Program Guidelines.
Examples of such criteria include providing services for Federal crime
victims and assisting
victims who are victimized within the State when the victim resides in
another State. Under the 1996 Antiterrorism Act, States must also provide
compensation to residents who are victims of terrorist acts within or
outside the United States.
The formula for VOCA compensation grants to States is
based on a percentage of State payments to crime victims in a previous
year.
Victim Assistance
What Is Victim Assistance?
Victim assistance includes, but is not limited to, the
following services:
- Crisis intervention.
- Counseling.
- Emergency shelter.
- Criminal justice advocacy.
- Emergency transportation.
Throughout the nation, there are approximately 10,000
organizations that provide these and other services to crime victims.
Nearly 3,300of those organizations receive some VOCA funds.
Which States Receive VOCA Victim Assistance Grants?
All States and most Territories receive an annual VOCA
victim assistance grant. Each State, the District of Columbia, the U.S.
Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico receive a base amount of $500,000. The
territories of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and American Samoa
each receive a base amount of $200,000. Additional funds are distributed
based on population.
States competitively award VOCA funds to local community-based
organizations that provide services directly to victims of crime.
How Do States Determine Which Organizations Will Receive
VOCA Victim Assistance Grants?
Each State has discretion to determine which organizations
will receive funding based upon the VOCA victim assistance guidelines
and the needs of crime victims within the State. Most States make awards
on a competitive
basis.
VOCA assistance funds may be used only for direct services
to crime victims. Services such as offender rehabilitation, criminal justice
improvements, and crime prevention activities cannot be supported with
VOCA assistance funds.
Discretionary Funds
What Are Discretionary Funds?
VOCA authorizes OVC to use discretionary funds to improve
and enhance the quality and availability of victim services. Each year,
OVC develops a Program Plan which identifies the training and technical
assistance and demonstration initiatives to be funded on a competitive
basis in the coming year.
How Are the Discretionary Funds Used?
At least half of all discretionary grant funds are dedicated
to improving the response to Federal crime victims. Initiatives include
the following:
- Training Federal criminal justice system personnel
on victims' issues.
- Developing materials that help Federal victims understand
their rights and available services.
- Supporting programs that establish and expand existing
services for Federal crime victims.
- The remaining discretionary funds support a variety
of nationwide initiatives such as follows:
- Developing training curricula.
- Training victim services and criminal justice professionals.
- Working to raise the awareness of victim's rights
and needs throughout the country.
- Identifying and disseminating promising practices
in victim services.
- Supporting and evaluating demonstration programs.
For Further Information
More information about the Office for Victims of Crime
is available through the following sources:
OVC Phone: 202-307-5983
OVC Web Site: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/
OVC Resource Center: 1-800-627-6872
OVC Resource Center Web Site: http://www.ncjrs.gov
Visit the OVC Web Site
July 1999
FS000082
U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Justice Programs
Office for Victims of Crim
Washington, D.C. 20531
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use $300
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