Expanding the Reach of Victim Services: Maximizing the Potential of VOCA Funding for Underserved Survivors

• NCJ Number: 252500
• Author(s): Danielle Sered; Bridgette Butler
• Date Published: August 2016
• Length: 32 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Office for Victims of Crime (OVC)
• Corporate Author: Vera Institute of Justice
• Sale Source: Office for Victims of Crime (OVC)
• Publication Format: Document; Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Report (Technical Assistance); Report (Grant Sponsored); Legislation/Policy Description; Issue Overview; Grants and Funding
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This report outlines a plan for the use of the $1.6 billion increase in federal funding for crime victim services in 2015 under the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), which amounts to an unprecedented increase from $745 million to $2,361 billion.

Abstract

If sustained beyond 2016, this infusion of funds provides an opportunity to address the needs of crime victims who have been excluded from services. The new funds can assist in bringing services to the neighborhoods most affected by violence and least supported in its aftermath, particularly low-income communities of racial minorities. This can be done while expanding resources to essential existing programs of crime-victim services. This report provides guidance on the best use of these new funds, based on a year of assessing needs identified by victim service providers across the country. The assessment team met with VOCA administrators, interviewed crime survivors, and heard from experienced advocates in the field. The case studies in this report provide examples of organizations that could benefit most from the funds increase. The report then outlines a range of challenges and recommendations.