Why Celebrate the Victims of Crime Act?

2009 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

Last year in the City of Federal Heights, a man left work after arguing with his boss, stopped for a few drinks, than drove home in a foul mood.  When he found his wife outside caring for the children instead of making dinner he flew into a rage.  As the children watched in horror, he threw his wife on the ground, kicked her, and when she tried to get up, twisted and fractured her arm. It was the fifth such attack in three months.

The next day, the victim spoke with a victim advocate, received information and referrals of resources, services and criminal justice process information.  The victim used this information and through a collaborative effort with victim advocates throughout the system, she was able to obtain shelter information, a protection order, walk through criminal justice proceedings against her husband, arrange for counseling for her and her children and assist in referrals for her to find a job.  They helped her seek victim compensation to receive health care and counseling and to enroll in the state’s victim notification system so she would know the instant that her husband was released from jail.  For the first time, she and her children were on the road to a safer life.

Twenty-five years ago, most of the services that helped this victim were in short supply.  Although many programs stated they had victim compensation, most programs were poorly funded.  A few grassroots victim assistance organizations had formed throughout the nation, but relatively few victims had access to their services.  Victims whose cases reached the criminal justice system found the courts bewildering and indifferent to their needs.  No one helped them negotiate the court system, find service or stay safe.

Then in 1984, in response to a report from President Ronald Regan’s Task Force on Victims of Crime, congress passed the landmark Victims of Crime ACT (VOCA). VOCA established the Crime Victims fund-supported by fines from offenders rather than taxpayers-to fund victim compensation and victim services throughout the nation as well as training for service providers.  In the past 25 years, the Fund has grown from $68 million to more than $2 billion, disbursed in amounts determined by Congress every year.  In 2006, VOCA grants helped fund more than 4,400 public and nonprofit agencies serving almost 4 million victims throughout the country.

For our local domestic violence victim, VOCA opened the door to safety and hope.  VOCA helped fund the resource cards the police officer gave her, the victim advocate who counseled her, and the victim compensation that paid for health care and counseling.  Other services-such as VOCA funded hotlines-were available if she had sought them.  Every year for the victim and millions like her, VOCA offers the tools to build a better life.

This year, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (April 26 to May 2) celebrates the 25^th anniversary of the Victims of Crime Act.  The theme, “25 years of Rebuilding Lives; Celebrating the Victims of Crime Act,” spotlights the network of lifelines VOCA has extended through our nation.  In 25 years, VOCA has become “a part of what we are and . . . how we take care of people,” said Kathryn Turman, director of the FBI Office of Victim Assistance.  “The better job we do in taking care of victims, the healthier our communities will be.

That’s why National Crime Victims’ Rights Week celebrates the Victims of Crime Act this year.