NCJ Number
212035
Date Published
October 2005
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This overview of the Crime Victims Fund (the Fund), which was established under the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (VOCA), explains how Fund deposits are disbursed, the features of crime victim compensation, the nature of victim assistance, and the purpose of discretionary funds.
Abstract
Millions of dollars have been deposited into the Fund annually through criminal fines, forfeited bail bonds, penalties, and special assessments. To date, fund deposits have always come from offenders convicted of Federal crimes, not from taxpayers. Up to $20 million is used annually to improve the investigation and prosecution of child abuse cases; and an unspecified amount has been allocated annually to the Federal criminal justice system to improve services to victims of Federal crimes. Up to $50 million has been authorized to be set-aside for victims of domestic terrorism and mass violence at home and abroad and to fund the International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program. The remaining deposits are for State compensation programs (47.5 percent), State assistance programs (47.5 percent), and discretionary activities (5 percent). Crime victim compensation is direct reimbursement for medical costs, funeral and burial costs, mental health counseling, and lost wages or loss of support related to a crime. All 50 States, the District of Columbia, and several U.S. territories receive compensation grants. Victim assistance includes but is not limited to crisis intervention, emergency shelter, emergency transportation, counseling, and criminal justice advocacy. All States and most territories receive an annual VOCA victim assistance grant. VOCA authorizes the Justice Department's Office of Victims of Crime to use discretionary funds to improve and enhance the skills, knowledge, and abilities of victim service providers and allied professionals who work with crime victims. 3 sources for additional information