There are a number of issues that hinder Victim Assistance Programs (VAPs) in filing for compensation benefits.  To begin, VAPs often serve victims who do not report the crime.  VAPs also offer assistance to victims who decline CVB services for a variety of reasons including: no criminal justice report, no injury, general fear of government systems, no current out-of-pocket expenses, or have private coverage which covers medical costs. 


A critical problem centers on the high turnover rate in VAP program staff; consequently, VAP staff is often unfamiliar with compensation benefits and eligibility requirements and therefore do a disservice to victims who do not a get a thorough or adequate explanation of CVB services.  CVB continually offers regional training and monthly training at each CVB office to VAP staff on compensation to address this problem.  Turnover problems in police stations sometimes present problems as well; new leadership may not be aware of the extent of CVB services. CVB is working with the Department of Criminal Justice Services to increase training to law enforcement on issues related to CVB.


Another problem is that victims do not immediately access services and therefore are not aware of the compensation program.  It appears that oftentimes, police officers, hospitals, and district attorney's offices may not be informing the victim of CVB services.  CVB has issued a new CVB poster to all hospitals and law enforcement agencies across the state in an effort to address this problem.


Potential claimants who are receiving some free services, such as counseling at child advocacy centers, or who are on public assistance often believe it is unnecessary to file a claim with CVB as their current costs are covered.  It is difficult to convince them that in the future their circumstances may change and it would be beneficial to them to file a claim as a matter of record to establish eligibility, so that future benefits could be provided should they be needed.

Coordination efforts include regional crime victim service providers, coalition meetings, multidisciplinary team meetings, and outreach efforts by the local victim assistance programs to schools, colleges, community organizations and local government offices.  In addition, some programs have developed relationships with several entities to better render and coordinate services; for example, Child Fatality Review Teams and Juvenile Justice Task Forces, represent coordinated efforts across various service providers.  Also, in some areas where there is no funded DA program, other funded programs in the area have combined efforts to place an advocate in the DAs office for a week at a time. In addition, some sexual assault programs have networked with local agencies to better identify services to victims who are developmentally disabled.  Many counties have developed specialized courts, such as integrated domestic violence courts to better serve the special needs of these victims.


During this past year, more local VAP's are combining resources to serve victims such as subcontracting for specialized services from each other, combining volunteer training activities and establishing joint hotline and support group services.

The federal government released regulations for victims of gender-related violence who cooperate in prosecuting their abusers to receive a U visa. Sanctuary for Families is a domestic violence program in the New York City metropolitan area and reports that due to the time-limited nature of the regulations for victims of past abuse, their immigration legal program is heavily focused on these applications, currently close to 400 applications, that need to be filed. As a result, many of these clients are also seeking clinical services for themselves and their children provided through this CVB funded program. Additionally, the Board of Director's recently approved a pilot program for survivors of sex trafficking, many of whom are registered with the federal government and cooperating in prosecution of their traffickers. This pilot program includes clinical services to adult and child clients, provided through this CVB funded program.





CVB participated in regional training on Human Trafficking in conjunction with the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Services and Safe Horizon, the largest subgrantee in New York.  During the training, information on the differences in the state and federal statutes were discussed and resources at both levels were identified.  NYS has an anti-trafficking coalition and works with subgrantees on coordination of services.





CVB funded programs contact federal agencies whenever they have victims of trafficking or victims of child pornography, etc. Much of the collaboration however, regarding servicing federal crime victims comes from the federal advocate to the appropriate CVB funded program. For example, if a federal crime victim is referred by the FBI or ICE to the US Attorney's office, the advocate will then in turn, contact a local CVB funded program to see if they are servicing this victim. If the victim is eligible to fill out a claim application, the CVB program will assist the victim with that service, as well as other services as required, and count that victim as a new case for that month. Information regarding services is exchanged on a regular basis between the US Attorney advocate and local CVB funded advocates. In some cases, the crime may be prosecutable on both the federal and state levels, in which case the victim may be shared by both offices.





The Victim Service Coordinators of the U.S. Attorney's Offices in New York participate as ex-officio members of the Advisory Council, attend regional crime victim services providers' coalitions and offer training to groups of VAP's across the state.

Some CAC's have begun initiatives to provide informational trainings to family court personnel including judges, clerks, etc. More emphasis has been placed on networking for the purpose of providing better services to disabled victims of sexual assault. Examples would be the "Empower Me" programs for both adult and child victims of sexual assault. The Stewards of Children program, which deals with the 7 steps that must be taken to protect children, as well as the steps associated with confronting sexual assault with courage. Some programs have begun interfacing with the NYS Consumer Protection Board to assist victims of identity theft. Programs have also begun to develop brochures in other languages for these identity theft victims. This has already been accomplished for Chinese victims of identity theft in NYC.


State sub-grantees belong to coalitions which educate legislators on issues impacting crime victims.  The Coalitions are successful in advancing legislation impacting crime victims.  Recently, legislation was introduced and passed creating crimes of labor and sex trafficking. 


Recently, there has been an increased awareness of the need to address issues related to children, the elderly and the developmentally disabled. Some Child Advocacy Centers have cooperated with state and national leaders to develop a Play Therapy Model to aid child victims of abuse, especially sexual assault.   Programs have emphasized training to better identify and assist victims of elder abuse.  


Transportation costs have forced local victim assistance programs to review the way in which services are delivered.  Telephone contacts with victims have increased and several programs are considering web based service delivery systems.  The web currently plays a role in service delivery by making translation services available.  Sexual assault programs have begun accessing American Sign Language interpreters over the internet so communication can begin immediately.  Other translation services are becoming more available through the internet but are not accessed as frequently.

Please see attachments.

Economic changes in the state and nation put greater strain on the limited resources for local Victim Assistance Programs.  One impact of this strain is that VAPs are having difficulty recruiting volunteers since most individuals are working and have less time to devote to volunteer work.  The impact of crime is exacerbated by the stress and worries of victims in difficult economic times.  This places a greater burden on VAPs and the need for services and some VAPs report waiting lists. Moreover, the salary available to crime victim advocates is often below the rates of other human service positions and it is difficult to retain staff in this field.  Finally, victim service professionals across the state are at the age of retirement and there is a lack of succession planning in this field as a whole.

VOCA administrative funds are used to support the Advisory Council which advises the Board on issues impacting crime victims.  Funds support training to sub-grantees to improve skills and understand the compensation program and benefits.  Administrative funds provide for technical assistance at individual program level to improve performance and contractual compliance.  Administrative funds are used to support the State Victim Assistance Academy.





The VOCA administrative funds also support the Grants Unit staff salaries, fringe benefits and travel costs related to monitoring subgrantees.  Currently, there are 4 auditors who manage the financial matters and 5 monitors who review subgrantee compliance in the delivery of service.  Recently, Associate Monitor and Auditor positions were added for an additional level of supervision of the daily operations.  The VOCA funds also support a secretary and the Contract Supervisor who oversees the entire unit.