VOCA Compensation and Assistance: The Numbers

OVC administers two VOCA formula grant programs that support crime victim compensation and assistance, the mainstays of support for victims throughout the Nation. These programs account for approximately 87 percent of Crime Victims Fund monies allocated annually to states and territories. VOCA funding also supports victim-witness coordinators in U.S. Attorneys' Offices, victim specialists with the FBI, the federal Victim Notification System, and formula grants to states through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as provided by the Children's Justice Act. Further, discretionary grants are made in various program areas to meet emerging needs and fill gaps in existing services.

Exhibit 3

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Exhibit 4

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Exhibit 5

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Exhibit 6

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Exhibit 7

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Compensation Highlights

• In FYs 2011 and 2012, $359,037,000 in VOCA-funded compensation contributed to 309,019 claims paid to crime victims (exhibit 3; VOCA National Performance Reports).
• The majority of individuals who received reimbursement for crime-related expenses were victims of assault (151,810), child abuse (58,873)—including sexual and physical abuse—and homicide (29,384) (exhibit 3).
• Costs related to medical and dental care accounted for 52 percent of the total expenses reimbursed, followed by costs associated with economic support (13 percent) and funeral and burial expenses (10 percent) (exhibit 4).
• Victims of domestic violence accounted for nearly 35 percent of the total assault and homicide victim claims that were reimbursed during FYs 2011 and 2012 (exhibit 3).
• The average compensation payout per claim during the reporting period was $3,277 (VOCA National Performance Reports).

Assistance Highlights

• In FYs 2011 and 2012, nearly 7,250,000 crime victims benefited from a total of $807,749,929 in VOCA-funded assistance throughout the Nation (exhibit 5; VOCA National Performance Reports).
• Victims of domestic violence, who numbered 3,366,181, accounted for 46 percent of victims who received assistance during the reporting period (exhibit 5).
• Nearly 1,105,940 victims of child physical and sexual abuse (351,799 and 754,136, respectively) accounted for 15 percent of crime victims receiving assistance—second only to victims of domestic violence (exhibit 5).
• Other types of crimes resulting in a marked percentage of victims receiving assistance in 2011 and 2012 included assault (8 percent), adult sexual assault (6 percent), and robbery (5 percent) (exhibit 5).
• Victims who received telephone information and referral assistance following their victimization in FYs 2011 and 2012 totaled 5,164,805. An additional 4,522,325 received advocacy and support through the criminal justice system (exhibit 6).
• Other assistance provided to more than 1 million victims each year of the reporting period included onsite information referrals, followup, crisis counseling, personal advocacy, and help filing compensation claims (exhibit 6).
• VOCA assistance grants supported 32,061,843 specific services to 7,246,890 victims of crime in FYs 2011 and 2012. Many individuals need more than one type of assistance in the aftermath of victimization. During the reporting period, each victim received an average of 4.4 services, according to state-provided statistics (exhibit 7).