Back to MISSISSIPPI
VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT VICTIM ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM 2002 MISSISSIPPI STATE WIDE ASSISTANCE REPORT Prepared By: Mississippi Division of Public Safety Planning 3750 I-55 North Frontage Road Jackson, MS 39211-0000 tel: (601)987-4990
STATE FUNDING INFORMATION
A. THE ANNUAL AMOUNT ALLOCATED TO THE VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROJECTS: 1. Appropriations $ 0 2. Criminal Fines and Penalities $ 0 3. Assessments $ 316,103 4. Other $ 0 TOTAL:$ 316,103
B. TOTAL NUMBER OF AGENCIES FUNDED FROM THE FEDERAL GRANT: 39
C. NUMBER OF SUBGRANTS FUNDED FROM THIS FEDERAL GRANT: 39
VICTIM STATISTICS
A. THE NUMBER OF VICTIMS SERVED BY TYPE OF VICTIMIZATION:
NO. OF NO. OF VICTIMS SERVED VICTIMS SERVED 841 1. Child Physical Abuse 406 7. Adults Molested as Children 1,669 2. Child Sexual Abuse 2,109 8. Survivors of Homicide Victims 557 3. DUI/DWI Crashes 903 9. Robbery 5,634 4. Domestic Violence 874 10. Assualt 1,266 5. Adult Sexual Assault 1,265 11. Other 61 6. Elder Abuse TOTAL: 15,585
B. THE NUMBER OF VICTIMS WHO RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING SERVICES:
NO. OF VICTIMS SERVED 5,824 1. Crisis Counseling 10,193 2. Followup 3,181 3. Therapy 5,074 4. Group Treatment/Support 3,642 5. Shelter/Safehouse 11,732 6. Information/Referral (in-person) 5,507 7. Criminal Justice Support/Advocacy 1,252 8. Emergency Financial Assistance 847 9. Emergency Legal Advocacy 1,249 10. Assistance in filing Compensation Claims 4,280 11. Personal Advocacy 55,612 12. Telephone contact Informational/Referral 0 13. Other TOTAL: 108,393
A. EFFORTS TO PROMOTE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE AID TO CRIME VICTIMS: Our office continues to be actively involved with the Mississippi Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Mississippi Coalition for Survivors of Homicides Victims. These agencies provide public awareness campaigns.
B. EFFORTS TAKEN TO SERVE FEDERAL CRIME VICTIMS: Victim Assistance -funded project will continue to work in conjunction with the U.S. Attorney's Office to assist federal crime victims.
C. ACTIVITIES TO IMPROVE THE DELIVERY OF VICTIM SERVICES: Victims Assistance funds will be used to provide statewide training for victim service providers along with the Violence Against Women Program. Victim Assistance funds were also used to provide training for Victim Assistance Coordinators.
D. WAYS VOCA FUNDS HAVE BEEN USED TO ASSIST CRIME VICTIMS: 1. Thank you note from victim for services provided. (3) 2. Excerpt from newsletter of a Shelter entitled "Words of Advice - From a Survivor." 3. "A Survivor Story" testimonial about the long term impact of victim services provided. 4. A Case history of a victim of domestic violence and services provided.
E. ISSUES OR TRENDS IMPACTING CRIME VICTIM SERVICES: As referred to in Item A, the change of language in the arrest law now requires officers to determine "primary aggressor" when making -in arrest, however dual arrest still occur without determining the primary aggressor. As a result of this happening victims are wary of involving Law enforcement for fear of being arrested and becoming entangled in the legal system as well as for fear of what may happen to their children if both are arrested.
F. USE OF VOCA ADMINISTRATIVE FUNDS: The Division of Public Safety Planning has used VOCA administrative funds to improve management and oversight of the program. VOCA funds were used primarily for Wary and travel. These funds enable the agency to continue to assign a full-time person to work with the program on a fall time basis. As a result the divisions has been, able to provide technical assistance to projects and monitor them closely.