For Victims
Below are some links to help victims of crime and trauma.What to do When the Police Leave
Written by author Bill Jenkins, this book is invaluable to victims of crime, family members and friends.
Crime Victim Compensation Directory
Crime victim compensation programs across the country offer crucial financial assistance to victims of violence.
Coping With a Traumatic Event
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services information resources on coping with a traumatic event.
National Center for Victims of Crime
The National Center for Victims of Crime is the nation's leading resource and advocacy organization for crime victims and those who serve them. Since its inception in 1985, the National Center has worked with grassroots organizations and criminal justice agencies throughout the United States serving millions of crime victims.
The Office for Victims of Crime - Survivors of Homicide
The Office for Victims of Crime, a component of the Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, offers many links that can lend support to family and friends grieving due to the death of a loved one.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention/Surviving Suicide Loss
AFSP works closely with support group facilitators, first responders, clergy members, mental health professionals and others in the community, to help survivors cope with their loss, their pain, their questions and their journey of healing.
Dougy Center - The National Center for Grieving Children & Families
Focuses on grief support groups for children and teens, ages 3-18 years old, and their families grieving the death of a parent, sibling, or teen friend and also provides national and international training on children and teen grief. Guidebooks are available on grief including children and grief, teens in grief, the impact of violent death on children, and helping children after a suicide.
National Organization of Parents of Murdered Children
Offers support for families as they work through the grief process and learn what to expect from the criminal justice system. Also helps with practical information, referrals, telephone contact, the legal ramifications of murder, and any problems that may be faced by bereaved families of homicide victims. POMC has more than 300 contact persons or chapters.
The Compassionate Friends
A non-profit, self-help organization offering friendship and understanding to families who have experienced the death of a child at any age, from any cause. Provides support for bereaved parents, grandparents, and siblings through approximately 600 active chapters.
Crime Victim Services By State
Below you will find state specific information on victim compensation and grief counseling.Alabama
Alabama Crime Victims Compensation CommissionIn an effort to alleviate hardships suffered by victims of crime, the Alabama Legislature passed the Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission Law on June 1, 1984. Alabama's compensation law covers a variety of expenses for which compensation is paid. The Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission provides the only substantial financial compensation to victims for expenses for personal injuries including medical, funeral and counseling bills.
Alaska
Alaska Violent Crimes Compensation BoardThe Violent Crimes Compensation Board was established to help mitigate financial losses that are the direct result of violent crimes that occur to Alaskans and visitors to Alaska. In addition, the Board helps to foster victim advocacy and services and promotes victim recovery.
Arkansas
Arkansas Crime Victims Reparations ProgramSince the passage of the Arkansas Crime Victims Reparations Act in 1987, the Attorney General's Office has played a pivotal role in the advancement of victim's rights in Arkansas. Through the administration of the Crime Victims Reparations Program, the office has developed a long history of serving victims, networking with victim advocates, and heightening public awareness about victims' issues.
Arizona
Arizona Criminal Justice Commission/Crime Victim ServicesThe Arizona Criminal Justice Commission's (ACJC) Crime Victim Services area oversees and administers two key programs: the Crime Victim Compensation and the Crime Victim Assistance programs. The Crime Victim Assistance program provides grants to private non-profit or government agencies that deliver direct services to crime victims. The Crime Victim Compensation program is administered through ACJC but resides locally in each of Arizona's 15 county attorney's offices.
California
Victim Compensation and government Claims BoardThe Victim Compensation Program (VCP) provides compensation for victims of violent crime who are injured or threatened with injury. Among the crimes covered are domestic violence, child abuse, sexual and physical assault, homicide, robbery, drunk driving and vehicular manslaughter.
Colorado
Colorado Office For Victims ProgramsThe Office for Victims Programs (OVP) has three primary functions: to administer federal and state grant programs,to ensure that victims of Victim Rights Act crimes are afforded their rights, and to monitor the twenty-two Local Victim Assistance and Law Enforcement (Local VALE) and Victim Compensation programs for compliance with state standards.
Connecticut
ConnecticutDistrict of Columbia
DC Crime Victims Compensation ProgramThe Crime Victims Compensation Program assists innocent victims of violent crime and their families with crime-related expenses such as funeral and burial costs, medical and mental health costs, lost wages, loss of support and services, clean up of a crime scene and, for victims of domestic violence, the cost of temporary shelter.
Delaware
Delaware Violent Crimes Compensation BoardThe Violent Crimes Compensation Board was created to help victims of violent crime recover from financial loss as a result of the crime. Although the Board cannot help with the painful memories of a crime, we hope that we can help ease the financial burdens you face.
Florida
Florida Crime Victims ServicesFrom the Office of the Attorney General of Florida. Information and Services including the Crime VictimsÕ Bill of rights, Victim Compensation Brochure, and Victim Services Directory by circuit.
Georgia
Georgia Help for Victims of CrimeThe state of Georgia has a program to assist with crime related expenses if you are a victim of a violent crime. Financial assistance for victims of crime may be provided through the stateÕs Crime Victims Compensation Program. This program assists eligible victims of violent crime with medical, funeral, crime scene clean-up and mental health counseling expenses. Benefits that may be available include lost wages or loss of support.
Hawaii
Hawaii Crime Victim Compensation Commission"The mission of the Crime Victim Compensation Commission is to equitably and efficiently provide crime victims the services due to them under Hawaii law. In doing so, the Commission treats every victim and survivor with dignity and respect, acknowledging the tremendous impact that violent crime has upon our society."
Iowa
Iowa Crime Victim Assistance DivisionThe mission of the Crime Victim Assistance Division and the Crime Victim Assistance Board is to advocate for the rights and the needs of crime victims within the State of Iowa. The division administers programs that directly benefit victims of crime, including those that assist victims with the financial burden resulting from injuries of crime, that assist local crime victim service programs, and that assist the criminal justice system in holding offenders responsible for the effects of their crimes. All crime victims and survivors will be treated with respect and dignity.
Idaho
Idaho Industrial Commission/Crime VictimsThe Idaho Crime Victims Compensation Program was established in 1986 to provide financial assistance to crime victims who are injured as the result of criminally injurious conduct.
Illinois
llinois Attorney General/Crime Victim Compensation ProgramThe Crime Victim Compensation Act was established by the Illinois General Assembly in 1973 with the primary goal of helping to reduce the financial burden imposed on victims of violent crime and their families.
Helping Crime Victims
Attorney General Lisa Madigan has made it a priority to provide services to help victims meet their challenges and regain peace of mind. Programs administered by the Crime Victim Services Division include: The Illinois Crime Victim Compensation Program, The Violent Crime Victim Assistance Program, The Statewide Victim Assistance Program.
Indiana
Indiana Victim Compensation DivisionIn 1978, the Indiana General Assembly enacted into law a program to provide financial assistance for victims of violent crime. As the administrators of the Indiana Violent Crime Victim Compensation Fund, the Victim Compensation division assists victims or their dependents with medical expenses, funeral expenses, lost wages and outpatient counseling.
Kansas
Kansas Crime Victim Compensation BoardThe Kansas Crime Victims Compensation Board provides victims with financial assistance for loss of earnings and out-of-pocket loss for injuries sustained as a direct result of violent crime.
Kentucky
Kentucky Crime Victims Compensation BoardKentucky's Crime Victims Compensation Board assists well in excess of 1,000 victims per year. This assistance is in the form of direct payments to medical providers, funeral homes, mental health professionals, or reimbursements for these types of expenses incurred by victims or those legally responsible for those expenses.
Louisiana
Louisiana Crime Victim ReparationsVictims of violence and their families must deal with emotional, physical, and financial aftermath of crime. The Louisiana Crime Victims Reparations Fund helps innocent victims and their families when they have no other means of paying for the financial cost of crime.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts VictimÕs of Violent CrimeIf you are a victim of violent crime, you have certain rights under Massachusetts Law, and you are eligible for certain services. The Office of Attorney General Martha Coakley is committed to empowering crime victims and providing them with the tools and support they need to begin the healing process.
Maryland
Maryland Victim Services - Criminal Injuries Compensation BoardThe Criminal Injuries Compensation Board provides financial assistance for innocent victims of crime. The Board may compensate victims who suffer physical injury for their medical expenses and loss of earnings. In cases of homicide, the Board may assist with funeral expenses and loss of support on the part of the victim's dependents.
Maine
Maine Crime VictimsÕ Compensation ProgramIf you or someone you know is the victim of a violent crime, the Maine VictimsÕ Compensation Program in the Attorney GeneralÕs Office may be able to help. The VictimsÕ Compensation Program provides financial reimbursement for losses suffered by victims of violent crime and their families.
Michigan
Michigan Crime Victim CompensationThis program helps pay out-of-pocket medical expenses, lost earnings, funeral bills or financial support for people who suffer physical injury as a direct result of a crime.
Minnesota
Minnesota Financial Help for Crime VictimsMinnesota offers compensation for victims of crimes. Crimes covered by the program include: homicide, assault, child abuse, sexual assault, robbery, kidnapping, domestic abuse, stalking, criminal vehicular operation and drunk driving. The incident must be a crime involving an injury or death. The program does not compensate victims of property crimes or pay for property damaged during a violent crime.
Missouri
Mississippi
Mississippi Victim Compensation ProgramThe Crime Victim Compensation Division provides financial assistance to victims of crime and their family members. The goal of the division is to provide a method of compensating and assisting those persons who are innocent victims of criminal acts and who suffer bodily injury or death.
Mississippi Victim Assistance Program
The Victim Assistance Program serves as the single point of contact for crime victims, provides a toll free information and referral line, assists with completion of financial aid applications, connects victims to support groups, educates law enforcement on victim rights and services and assists victims with invoking their rights.
Montana
Montana Crime Victim CompensationThe Crime Victims Compensation Act provides financial assistance to help innocent crime victims with crime-related medical expenses. Created in 1978, the Montana Crime Victim Compensation Program can help with lost wages and medical and funeral expenses incurred as the result of personal injury crimes.
North Carolina
North Carolina Victims Compensation ServicesVictims Compensation Services reimburses citizens who suffer medical expenses and lost wages as a result of being an innocent victim of a crime committed in North Carolina. Victims of rape, assault, child sexual abuse, domestic violence, and drunk driving, as well as the families of homicide victims are eligible to apply for financial help.
North Dakota
North Dakota Victims CompensationProgram provides compensation to innocent victims who have been physically or emotionally injured in a violent crime in North Dakota who have suffered financial loss due to the incident.
Nebraska
Crime Victim Services/ReparationsThe Nebraska Crime Victim's Reparations Act was created in 1979 with the passage of Legislative Bill (LB) 910. The Act provides compensation to innocent victims of a crime for certain expenses related to the criminal act....Only expenses incurred as a direct result of the crime may be reimbursed. Medical and funeral expenses, loss of wages, loss of earning power, mental health counseling directly related to the criminal act and residential crime scene clean-up are eligible for compensation....
New Hampshire
New Hampshire Victim Compensation (Assistance Commission)The New Hampshire Victims' Assistance Commission helps innocent victims of violent crime with expenses directly related to crime injuries.
New Jersey
New Jersey Victims of Crime Compensation OfficeThe New Jersey Victims of Crime Compensation Office provides compensation to innocent victims of violent crime for some expenses they suffer as a result of the crime.
New Mexico
New Mexico Crime Victims Reparation CommissionWebsite for information and application for reparations for crime victims.
Nevada
Nevada Victims of Crime Compensation ProgramIt is the Mission of the Nevada Victims of Crime Compensation Program to provide financial assistance to innocent victims of crime in a timely, cost efficient, and compassionate manner.
New York
New York Crime Victims Board/CompensationSince its establishment in 1966 CVB has provided substantial financial relief to victims of crime and their families by paying unreimbursed crime-related expenses, including but not limited to: medical and burial expenses, loss of earnings or support, counseling costs, crime scene clean-up expenses, the cost to repair or replace items of essential personal property, reasonable court transportation expenses, assistance to crime victims acting as a good Samaritan, the cost of residing at or utilizing the services of a domestic violence shelter, and limited attorney fees.
Ohio
Ohio Victims of Crime Compensation ProgramIn 1976, the Ohio Legislature enacted the Crime Victims Compensation Act. This law helps innocent victims of violent crime to recover their economic losses suffered as a result of the crime.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Crime Victims Compensation Program InformationThe purpose of the Crime Victims Compensation Act is to provide a method of compensation for victims of violent crime.
Oregon
Oregon Crime Victims' Compensation ProgramThe State of Oregon has recognized the needs of victims and their families. In 1977 the Oregon Crime VictimÕs Compensation Program was enacted. This law provides a way to ease the financial losses of the victim and the victimÕs family as a result of violent crimes.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Victims Compensation Assistance ProgramThe Victims Compensation Assistance Program helps victims and their families through the emotional and physical aftermath of a crime by easing the financial impact of the crime upon them.
Pennsylvania Office of the Victim Advocate
Victim Assistance Programs categorized by county.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island Victim Compensation FundThis program was created to help victims with the many costs associated with violent crime. The program provides financial compensation to crime victims for such expenses as medical bills, loss of earnings and funeral expenses.
South Carolina
South Carolina VictimsÕ Compensation FundSOVA can help with certain types of crime related costs. In every case, the expense has to be linked to losses from injury or death as a result of the crime.
South Dakota
South Dakota Crime VictimsÕ Compensation ProgramThe South Dakota Crime Victims' Compensation Program provides monetary assistance to victims of violent crimes. This program, administered by the Department of Social Services, can pay victims of state, tribal, or federal crimes, a maximum of $15,000 for expenses incurred as a direct result of personal injury or death.
Tennessee
Tennessee Crime Injuries Compensation ProgramIf you are an innocent victim of a violent crime committed in the State of Tennessee, we may be a financial resource for you. The purpose of our program is to assist victims of crimes or, in the case of the victim's death, their dependent family members in paying out-of-pocket expenses incurred as the direct result of personal injuries sustained by a criminal offense.
Texas
Texas Crime VictimsÕ CompensationCrime doesn't pay, but in Texas, criminals do. Texas courts collect court costs from convicted offenders for the Crime Victims' Compensation Fund. If you are a victim of violent crime, you may be eligible for benefits.
Utah
Utah Office of Crime Victim ReparationsVirginia
Virginia Criminal Injuries Compensation FundThe CICF staff is committed to getting crime victim compensation claims resolved in a fair, compassionate, and efficient manner.
Vermont
Vermont Center for Crime Victim ServicesThe mission of the Vermont Center for Crime Victim Services is to join with victims, survivors, and those who interact with victims to implement, sustain, and support a system of services across Vermont that is victim-centered, comprehensive, and just.
Vermont Victim Compensation Program
The Victims Compensation Program provides limited financial assistance to Vermont's victims of violent crime who have experienced a financial loss as a direct result of that crime, as long as that loss is not reimbursable through other sources, such as insurance.
Washington
Washington/About Crime Victim CompensationProgram offers assistance to crime victims after other insurance resources are exhausted.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Office of Crime Victim ServicesOffering victims of crime information and assistance in dealing with their situation. This includes information on crime victim rights including the associated laws and statutes, crime victim compensation, and support services.
Program Serving Survivors of Homicide
Agencies Serving Survivors Of Homicide Victims And Drunk Driving Victims, categorized by county.
Hopes Wisconsin Survivor Groups
A list of ŌSurvivors of SuicideĶ groups in Wisconsin.
West Virginia
West Virginia Legislature's Crime Victims Compensation FundProvides for compensation to innocent victims of crime who have suffered personal injury and who have incurred out-of-pocket losses as a result of criminally injurious conduct.
Wyoming
Wyoming Division of Victim Services / Victim CompensationVictims of violence and their families must deal with the emotional, physical, and financial aftermath of crime. The compensation program helps innocent victims and their families when they have no other means of paying for the financial cost of crime.