As law enforcement officers, you are often the first, and often the only, professional who speaks with victims after a crime. You provide a vital connection between the justice system and victim support services. Crime victim compensation can be a valuable resource for victims of violent crime and you are well placed to make sure victims know about it.

Crime victim compensation provides financial assistance to victims of violent crime, including but not limited to assault, domestic violence, rape, child abuse, and drunk driving. This also includes family members of homicide victims. In some programs, witnesses are also eligible to apply. Compensation usually does not cover expenses related to property damage or loss. Every state has a program, although eligibility, reimbursable benefits, maximum claim amounts, and application procedures vary by state or county. The vast majority of the money used to fund these programs comes from offender fees and fines, rather than taxpayer dollars, and about a third of the funding comes from the federal Crime Victims Fund. While no amount of money can undo the harm caused by crime, compensation programs allow victims to focus on their physical and emotional recovery, with less financial stress.

Compensation program staff make determinations on claims based on a variety of factors including police reports, contributory conduct, cooperation with law enforcement, and whether the victim/claimant has other payment sources available to cover the costs. However, compensation programs may define contributory conduct and cooperation differently than law enforcement departments, so it is important to refer every victim of crime to the compensation program.

You can also refer victims to local advocates who can help them apply for compensation benefits, understand their rights, and navigate the criminal justice system. By doing this, law enforcement officers invest in the well-being of their community and support the recovery of the victims who depend on them. To learn more about crime victim compensation and what you can do to help, visit www.theiacp.org/LE-Role-in-Victim-Compensation.

Not sure where to find an advocate in your area? Contact the VictimConnect Resource Center.