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Compensating Victims of Violent Crime

NCJ Number
134325
Journal
Justice Quarterly Volume: 8 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1991) Pages: 329-346
Author(s)
R J McCormack
Date Published
1991
Length
18 pages
Annotation
A national survey of State violent crime compensation boards (VCCBs) was undertaken to determine the reasons only a small percentage of violent crime victims file claims or receive awards from VCCBs.
Abstract
Nationally, the mean proportion of reported violent crime victims who request compensation was 6 percent and 3.8 percent of that group received compensation. Proportionately, the States differed significantly in the number of claims filed and the awards made to violent crime victims. The states also differed significantly in VCCB "awards-to-claims" ratios. Nationally, 63.7 percent of victims who filed claims received some amount of compensation. The data suggest that decentralized offices in high-crime areas may improve the level of claims filing by victims of violent crime. Possibly the greatest obstacle to a more comprehensive system of victim compensation continues to be a lack of serious financial commitment. 2 figures, 1 appendix, and 15 references (Author abstract modified)

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