40 Years of VOCA
NOVA and our partners are celebrating 40 years of the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). Keep reading to learn about this critical legislation and funding for survivor services across the country.
VOCA 40th Anniversary Event
VOCA 40th Anniversary Virtual Commemoration
on Tuesday, October 15th at 1:00-2:00 pm ET
Join NOVA and our partners as we celebrate the history of VOCA; the impact of the Crime Victims Fund (CVF) on crime victims and survivors; and participate in a national call-to-action in support of the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act.
Speakers:
- Claire Ponder Selib, NOVA Executive Director
- Judge Lois Haight (Ret.), Chair of the 1982 President’s Task Force on Victims of Crime
- Steve Derene, Executive Director (Ret.) of National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators (NAVAA) – Download Slides
- Video Remarks by Rep. Ann Wagner, Sponsor of H.R. 8061, Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act
- Video Remarks by Rep. Jim Costa, Co-Chair of the Congressional Crime Survivors & Justice Caucus, Cosponsor of H.R. 8061
- Lisa Daniels, Survivor Advocate and Executive Director of Darren B. Easterling Center for Restorative Practices Task Force on Long Sentences
- Abrianna Morales, Survivor Advocate and NOVA Victim Advocacy Corps Program Manager
- Rachel Graber, Vice President of Government Relations & Advocacy at Jewish Women International
ASL Interpretation is provided by DeafLEAD.
Quick Navigation Guide:
Our #VOCA40 Partners | 40 Years of VOCA Infographic | Call-to-Action Tools | Downloadable Resources | Testimonials | VOCA at a Glance
↓↓↓ Keep scrolling for resources, tools and information about #VOCA40 ↓ ↓ ↓
Our #VOCA40 Partners
National Crime Victims Research & Treatment Center
40 Years of VOCA
National Call-to-Action
Tuesday, October 15th
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm ET
Contact Your Representative!
When the NOVA VOCA 40th Anniversary Virtual Commemoration Event concludes at 2:00 pm ET, IT’S TIME FOR ACTION!
Your Congressmembers will be in their District Offices, which provides YOU with the perfect opportunity to educate them about what VOCA has meant to crime survivors, to you and your organization, and to our entire field for 40 years. They will also benefit from your personal advocacy and education about the Crime Victim Fund Stabilization Act (H.R. 8061/S. 4514).
On October 15, from 2:00 pm ET until 5:00 pm in your Member’s District, please call, email or use this easy form to contact your Representatives and Senators to educate them about the CVFSA, and why they should consider co-sponsoring and/or supporting it.
View the list of cosponsors here to see if your representative has supported the CVFSA.
The resources on this special #VOCA40 web page can be used to guide your call or email, including:
- Any tips you receive from attending the NOVA VOCA 40th Anniversary Virtual Commemoration Event at 1:00 pm ET
- 40 Years of VOCA Infographic
- VOCA At a Glance Fact Sheet
- #VOCA40 logo
Click on the hyper links to download a copy of the “40 Years of VOCA” Infographic and “VOCA At a Glance” Fact Sheet.
If your agency currently has or previously received VOCA funding, offer specific examples of the greatly needed vital services you are able to provide with support from the Crime Victims Fund – the more specific and local to your Member’s District, the better! Tell then personal stories about how VOCA has helped their constituents.
Also take advantage of this CVF Stabilization Act Toolkit!
Share on Social Media to Get #VOCA40 Trending!
In advance of October 15, prepare a personal testimonial – in 40 words or less – about how VOCA has had a profound and positive impact on victim/survivor services for 40 years.
Beginning at 2:00 pm ET on October 15, use the #VOCA40 logo with the hashtag #VOCA40, and post your testimonial on:
- Threads
- TikTok
- X
Please tag the National Organization for Victim Advocacy in your posts, at @NOVADVOCACY.
Downloadable Resources
Download our free materials to share on social media and help spread the word!
Printable frame for you to write your VOCA testimonial on and take a picture for social media.
#VOCA40 Logo
NOVA has created a special #VOCA40 logo that you can download to help us collectively illustrate the Victims of Crime Act on its 40th Anniversary. Please use this logo in your social media and other outreach related to VOCA, and to the Crime Victim Fund Stabilization Act.
Office for Victims of Crime VOCA Commemorative Webpage
#VOCA40 Testimonials
“Through VOCA, countless victims/survivors have experienced mitigation of and healing from the trauma inflicted upon them, especially in Black/Brown communities that are disproportionately affected. There is no end to their suffering. VOCA and the CVFSA will ensure that there is no end to our efforts to help them.”
Garnell W. Whitfield, Jr.
Survivor of the Murder of His Mother Ruth Whitfield at the Mass Shooting at Tops Grocery, May 14, 2022, Buffalo, NY
“Since 1993, I have watched others survive and thrive because support agencies have staff and resources to light a path to healing. I am one of those people. Because of VOCA, I have the honor of supporting others.”
Jo Sperry
Survivor of kidnapping and sexual assault
“I needed my advocate! It meant so much to have her support while I was in prison because I was always getting triggered in there. She helped me cope and get programmed to deal with the abuse that I experienced.”
Robbie Hall, CA
JDI Survivor Council
“VOCA means rebuilding a life impacted by violent crime. Domestic violence shelters, victim advocates, and financial reimbursement helped restore my life. VOCA funding aided in the provision of Arkansas’ Victims’ Rights and Resources Card, “Laura’s Card” to victims of crime.”
Laura Abbott,
Victims’ Rights Arkansas, Victims’ Rights Ambassador
Arkansas
“It meant the world to me that [my advocate in prison] was on my side. She was there for me at the exam, she was there for me during the investigation, and she was there for me as I began to heal. Her kindness and comfort were lifesaving.”
– Ivy B., CA
“I had seen before how victims [in prison] were treated — like no one believed them or like it was their fault. I detached my body from my soul because I felt so damaged. But I started reaching out and with the help of two amazing rape crisis advocates, who put in so much time to help me, I started to heal. I survived.”
Matthew
South Carolina
“I’m so excited to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the historic passage of VOCA. VOCA has revolutionized victim advocacy, upholding the impact of violence and crucial policies and investments we survivors need and deserve. Today is about celebration, a reflection for how far we’ve come, and the hope for how much more we will accomplish together.”
Kaylyn Ahn
Survivor Advocate, NOVA Board Member
Northwestern Student
“VOCA has funded much needed direct care in our offices for previously underserved survivors of violent crimes. This is a critical service for helping survivors move forward. We could not have done this level of quality work without VOCA.”
Wes Parks
Metroplex Mental Health, PLLC
Texas
“Fifteen years ago, after my dad’s murder, VOCA provided me with mental health services and funded a community-based organization instrumental in my healing. Today, I run an organization that provides those same VOCA-funded services to families of unsolved homicide victims.”
Ryan Backmann
Founder and Executive Director, Project Coldcase
Florida
“VOCA is a reminder that victims are more than just pawns in our messy system. As a survivor and advocate, VOCA has made my work – and my healing – possible. Here’s to 40 more years of possibility.”
Robyn C. Sordelett
Survivor Center Director
Virginia
“VOCA has been instrumental in supporting and educating community stakeholders in their efforts to communicate, collaborate, and cooperate in the spirit of the Coordinated Community Response. It is imperative that we maintain momentum, and keep this movement going forward.”
David R. Thomas
NOVA Executive Board President,
Senior Law Enforcement Consultant
“Passage of VOCA was a milestone in the victims’ movement, funding services for victims-not just a target group-where there were none. My prosecutor Bill Schenck testified on VOCA, providing a firsthand account of the dire need for services at the local level.”
Jeannette Adkins
Executive Director (Ret.), Michael’s House Child Advocacy Center/Greene Co. Prosecutor’s Office
Ohio
“VOCA has supported countless critical victim/survivor services nationwide, including traditionally under-served survivors and marginalized communities. It is foundational to our field. We need the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act to continue greatly needed survivor support and services!”
Anne Seymour
National Crime Victim/Survivor Advocate
Washington, DC
“Before VOCA, most crime victims lacked rights, advocacy, and sufficient funding to support crime victim services and compensation. VOCA changed everything, but crime victims will go back to the bad old days unless the VOCA fund is fixed.”
Dean G. Kilpatrick, Ph.D.
Director, National Crime Victims Research & Treatment Center
South Carolina
What does VOCA mean to you? In 40 words or less, share what VOCA means to you as a survivor, advocate, program manager or policy leader on social media using #VOCA40
VOCA at a Glance
- Based upon President’s Task Force on Victims of Crime Final Report (December 1982) recommendations
- Congress enacted Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) in October 1984
- Bipartisan bill created the Crime Victims Fund (CVF) as a self-sufficient mandatory spending account.
- Revenue derived mostly from criminal fines and payments assessed against federal offenders.
- Funds originally used only for state and federal victim assistance and state crime victim compensation programs for victims of all types of crimes.
- Since its enactment, Congress has amended VOCA to also support:
- OVC grants to support training and technical assistance; provide assistance to victims of federal crimes;
- Children’s Justice Act to improve the investigation and prosecution of child abuse cases;
- U.S. Attorney’s victim witness coordinators;
- FBI victim assistance specialists;
- Federal Victim Notification System;
- Antiterrorism Emergency Reserve
- Child Pornography Victims Reserve Fund
- In addition, Congress in some years has appropriated CVF for:
- Office of Justice Programs management and administration;
- Office of Inspector General VOCA audits;
- Transfer for Violence Against Women Act programs; and
- Grants for tribal victim assistance programs.
- Since its inception in 1985 through 2023, a total of $39 billion dollars has been deposited into the CVF.
- Two-thirds of all deposits have come from only 80 cases or .03% of all federal offenders ordered to pay a monetary fine.
- Such precarious funding makes for less stable and reliable funding.
- In FY 2023, state VOCA victim assistance grants have been awarded to 6,458 subgrantee organizations which have provided services to 7.9 million individuals.
- Of the total 7.7 million victimizations reported:
- 3 million were for domestic and/or family violence
- 873,503 were for adult physical assault
- 706,292 were for child sexual assault
- 687,357 were for child physical abuse/neglect
- 443,226 were for adult sexual assault
- Other victimizations included homicide survivors, drunk driving, burglary, elder abuse/neglect, sex/labor trafficking, hate crimes, mass violence and identity theft.
- Services provided include, among others:
- Notification of criminal justice events
- Individual advocacy
- Information about victims’ rights and the criminal justice system
- Individual counseling
- Referral to other services
- Emergency shelter/safe homes
- Crisis intervention
- Hotline/crisis line counseling
- Law enforcement advocacy
- Support groups
- Transitional housing
- Forensic exams
- Relocation assistance
- Employer, creditor, landlord, academic intervention
- Immigration assistance
- Emergency financial assistance
- Of the total 7.7 million victimizations reported:
- VOCA grants to state crime victim compensation programs are based upon 75% of state-funded benefits which represents approximately 43% of total benefits paid.
- In FY 23, total (state plus VOCA) funded compensation paid totaled $360 million to 607,000 claimants.
- Crime types covered were for assault, homicide, sexual assault, child sexual abuse, drunk driving, other vehicular crimes, stalking, robbery, burglary, child physical abuse/neglect, and human trafficking.
- Benefits were paid for medical/dental, funeral/burial, economic support, sexual assault forensic examinations, mental health counseling and relocation expenses.
Our Partners
National Crime Victims Research & Treatment Center
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