Delegation Announces $3.6M for Crime Victims

Press Release

Delegation Announces $3.6M for Crime Victims

U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor, and U.S. Representatives Marion Berry, Vic Snyder, John Boozman, and Mike Ross announced today that the U.S. Department of Justice has awarded $3,670,000 in Victims of Crime Assistance (VOCA) funding for the state of Arkansas. The funding will be awarded by the State to local community-based organizations to provide training and technical assistance to service providers. In addition, the funding will support crime victim assistance projects that expand and enhance direct services to victims of crime.

"Arkansans who have fallen victim to a crime deserve quality services to help them in their time of need," said Lincoln. "These federal dollars will fund victim assistance programs that will support these individuals and help combat the negative impact crime can have on our communities."

"Many organizations in Arkansas successfully help lift up victims of abuse and other crimes so they can recover and resume fulfilling lives. This funding will allow such outreach programs to expand or enhance their services to members of our community," Pryor said.

"Criminals must pay for their crimes - and in this case they do," said Berry. "This money comes from fines collected from criminals and is distributed to victims to help with expenses like medical bills and funeral costs. This funding is, in more ways than one, a lifesaver that will help victims rebuild their lives."

"Services for the victims of crime are important tools in the healing and recovery process," Boozman said. "This money will benefit programs such as domestic violence shelters, and assist victims of sexual abuse and other crimes. It is important funding that I am happy to see Arkansas receive."

"I am proud to announce these funds which will assist victims of crime across Arkansas," Ross said. "It is important to have a trained staff ready to aide victims in their time of need and help them get on with their lives after having experienced such a traumatic event."

The Office for Victims of Crime program was established by the 1984 Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) and provides funding for a range of services including crisis intervention, counseling, guidance, legal advocacy, transportation to court or to shelters and referrals. Funding for OVC's programs are derived from criminal fines, forfeited bail bonds, penalties, and special assessments collected by Federal Courts, U.S. Attorneys' Offices, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons from offenders convicted of federal crimes.

Source