NCJ Number
202420
Date Published
2003
Length
28 pages
Annotation
This report presents information and data on the operations and achievements of the Crime Victims' Compensation Division of the Texas Office of the Attorney General for 2002.
Abstract
A chart shows the amount of crime victim compensation awards for each year from 1980 through 2002. Awards in 1980 were $4 million, and in 2002 they amounted to $44.9 million. In fiscal year 2002, 28,860 applications for victim compensation were received, and 22,287 of these applications were approved (77.9 percent). The average amount awarded per victim application was $4,058.69. This report describes the crime victim compensation application process. The initial eligibility requirement is that the crime be one in which the victim suffered physical injury, mental harm, or death as a result of the offense. Applications are reviewed to verify that applicants meet all requirements that relate to residency, reporting, and cooperation with law enforcement agencies. Data are presented on applications by type of crime (assaults accounted for 33.86 percent of applications and sexual abuse of a child accounted for 18.73 percent of applications); victim claim summary by age and sex (most victims were in the 18-29 age group); award summary by type of crime; award summary by age and sex; award summary by type of benefit; and activity summary by county.