Justice Department to Accept Applications for Financial Assistance from Eligible Victims of Crimes Involving Child Sexual Abuse Material
WASHINGTON, DC — The Department of Justice has announced that it is now accepting applications from eligible victims of federal child pornography offenses seeking a court order for a one-time payment of $35,000, adjusted for inflation. The payment is intended to help support the long-term material and mental health needs of children whose sexual victimization has been recorded and distributed online, evidence known as child sexual abuse material, or CSAM.
The Department established this application process through a final rule implementing the Amy, Vicky and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act of 2018 (the Act). The Act created the Defined Monetary Assistance Victims Reserve (DMAVR) to fund these payments for eligible CSAM victims. It is named in honor of three survivors whose cases highlighted the need for victim-centered legislation and underscores the importance of providing CSAM victims with financial support and resources to counter the lasting impacts of their abuse.
The Department of Justice, acting through the United States Attorneys’ offices (USAOs), the Executive Office for United States Attorneys (EOUSA), and the Office for Victims of Crime, will process applications and payments in a manner consistent with the Act and as determined by federal court orders.
“Those depicted in child sexual abuse material are repeatedly victimized all over the country and indeed, all over the world,” said Stephanie Hinds, Director of EOUSA. “Traditional restitution laws unfortunately require them to request restitution in scores of cases throughout the country. The DMAVR brings welcome relief and a convenient way for victims to obtain financial assistance. The USAOs and EOUSA are proud to be part of the process, bringing this relief to survivors and their families.”
“Survivors of child sexual abuse often face complex, long-lasting trauma that can affect every aspect of their lives,” said the Office for Victims of Crime Director Kristina Rose. “The Reserve offers financial support to help alleviate some of the burdens faced by victims, empowering them to access essential resources like therapy, medical care and educational opportunities.”
The financial assistance can be used to help survivors of CSAM offenses obtain critical resources. With this one-time payment, victims can choose to fund therapy, educational expenses, housing support and other services that are vital to their well-being. The flexibility of the payment is designed to offer victims autonomy and control in their recovery journey.
To be eligible, victims must meet criteria as outlined in the Act. Victims can apply for the one-time payment through the Department’s new streamlined application process, which includes the submission of necessary documentation and verification requirements. A federal court must determine whether a victim is entitled to receive payment.
Eligible victims or their advocates can apply for the assistance through the Justice Department’s website, where application details, eligibility criteria and support resources are available. To assist with the application process, the Department has established a dedicated support line and online resources that offer guidance.
To learn more about eligibility for the DMAVR and how to apply, please visit here.
About the Office of Justice Programs
The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime; advance equity and fairness in the administration of justice; assist victims; and uphold the rule of law. More information about OJP and its program offices – the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Institute of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office for Victims of Crime and Office for Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering and Tracking – can be found at www.ojp.gov.
About the Office for Victims of Crime
The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) is committed to enhancing the Nation’s capacity to assist crime victims and to providing leadership in changing attitudes, policies, and practices to promote justice and healing for all victims of crime. OVC awards millions of dollars annually in victim compensation and assistance in every U.S. state and some territories, as well as for training, technical assistance, and other capacity-building programs to enhance service providers’ ability to support victims of crime. More information about OVC can be found at ovc.ojp.gov.
About the Executive Office for United States Attorneys
The Executive Office for United States Attorneys (EOUSA) provides executive and administrative support for the 93 United States Attorneys located throughout the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Marianas Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U. S. Virgin Islands. Such support includes legal education, administrative oversight, technical support, and the creation of uniform policies, among other responsibilities. More information about EOUSA can be found at justice.gov/usao/eousa.
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