Congressman Costa Supports Victims of Crime Act Fund

CONGRESSMAN COSTA SUPPORTS VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT FUND

Washington D.C. - At a bi-partisan press conference today, Congressman Jim Costa strongly
supported the continuation of the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Fund. Also in attendance were
Congressman Ted Poe (TX-02), Congresswoman Katherine Harris (FL-13), Mr. Tom Charron, the
Executive Director of the National District Attorneys Association, Mr. Mark Lunsford, the father of Jessica
Lunsford who was murdered in Florida, and 14 national victim rights groups. The President's budget
proposes rescinding the money in the Victims of Crime Act Fund.
"Victims are here today with their heart and soul to ensure Congress does the right thing. I began my
commitment to victims' rights years ago in the California state legislature by supporting programs that
provide services and outreach to victims of crime. Ironically, these are the very programs that stand
to lose funding if the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Fund is wiped out. We cannot allow that to
happen. While in the California state legislature, I authored "Three Strikes, You're Out," which is
America's toughest standard against violent crime. In addition, we built prisons in California to put people
away who do not obey the law," stated Costa.
"As we come out of National Crime Victims' Rights week, It is crucial to remember the needs and victims
and the resources we can provide for them. The Victims of Crime Act Fund provides many vital services
to victims and their families. Rescinding the money in the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Fund would
severely hurt crime victims' programs and many non-profit organizations that provide victims' services
would struggle to exist," said Costa.
"The Victims of Crime Act Fund is crucial to many communities and organizations that rely on it for
victims' services and compensation. In the 20th district, many organizations receive money from the
Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Fund. Kern, Kings and Fresno county probation departments all receive
funding. In addition, rape crisis centers receive funding which assists them in providing services to rape
survivors. The Marjorie Mason Center in Fresno uses the funding to help victims of domestic violence
and Clincia Sierra Vista in Lamont receives funding which they use to provide health services to victims
of crime. These groups serve as a great example of the diverse programs that receive funding. Whether
it is to provide health care, counseling or cover funeral expenses, these resources are extremely helpful
in serving local communities and reaching out to victims of crime and their families," stated Costa.
"Crime victims have suffered enough and it is important to remember how we can improve their lives and
their families' lives. The Victims of Crime Act Fund is a $1.2 billion program that serves almost 4 million
victims and their families every year. The Fund provides services for victims of homicide, drunk driving,
identify theft, robbery and rape," stated Costa.
"I will continue to work on behalf of the families of victims to protect this funding," concluded Costa.
Congressman Costa is a co-chair of the Congressional Victims' Rights Caucus.

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