What is victim compensation?

Victim compensation provides victims of crime with resources to heal from physical, emotional and/or financial harms suffered as a result of being a victim. Every state has a victim compensation program that can reimburse victims for expenses such as medical costs, lost wages, therapy or funeral costs.

Why do victim compensation policies need to change?

More than six in 10 people in the U.S. have been a victim of crime in the last 10 years, and roughly half of those have been the victim of a violent crime. Yet, according to a survey of victims, 96% did not receive victim compensation.

Often, victims are unaware that victim compensation exists. And too often, for those who are aware, arduous and arbitrary bureaucratic rules exclude millions of people from eligibility or access. What is worse, for the small percentage who are able to attain compensation, limits on the type of support provided and long delays in receiving compensation often mean help is insufficient or arrives too late.

How can more victims gain access to victim compensation?

Every victim who suffers financial or emotional loss deserves victim compensation. Crime Survivors Speak advocates to:

• Extend deadlines to apply for help
• Simplify the application process
• Expand community outreach programs
• Expand trauma recovery centers (TRCs)
• End unfair eligibility exclusions