Programs are available that can help victims of crimes

By Cpl. Jeannette Hanes
Programs are available that can help victims of crimes

Many people fall victim to various crimes or know of friends and family members who have been victims. Crime victims suffer both emotionally and physically at the time they are victimized but can also suffer financially long after the initial victimization.

Victims many times can lose their homes or suffer financial hardship due to not being able to return to work or having to care for a loved one who needs their daily attention.  The Lemoore Police Department understands that crime hurts everyone in so many ways, but there are programs that can help victims through these tough times. One of these organizations is the California Victim Compensation Program. They provide financial assistance to crime victims. Cal VCP has been around since 1965 and provides support by helping pay bills and expenses that result from violent crime. If you are a victim that has been injured or threatened with an injury, you may be eligible for help.

You may qualify for compensation if you are victimized by any of the following:

  • Assault                                                
  • Child Abuse
  • Domestic Violence
  • Drunk Driving
  • Elder Abuse
  • Hate Crimes
  • Homicide
  • Human Trafficking
  • Robbery
  • Sexual Assault
  • Stalking
  • Vehicular Manslaughter

Minors who suffer emotional injuries because of witnessing a violent crime may be eligible for mental health counseling through the program.

Additionally, people who suffer a monetary loss because of death or injury to a crime victim may also be eligible for compensation. These victims can include:

  • Spouse or Domestic partner
  • Children
  • Parents
  • Legal Guardians
  • Brothers
  • Sisters
  • Grandparents
  • Grandchildren

These programs can help pay for expenses such as:

  • Medical & Dental treatment
  • Mental Health Services
  • Income loss
  • Funeral and burial expenses
  • Loss of support for dependents when a victims killed or disabled because of a crime
  • Home security
  • Relocation
  • Crime Scene Clean up
  • Home or Vehicle modifications for victims who are disabled because of crime

There are limits on how much can be paid for each loss. The programs cannot pay any expenses for a person who is on felony probation, on parole, in the county jail or prison.

Victims often need help after the initial incident and Cal VCP is a program that can help get victims back on their feet and prevent them from being effected for months and years to come.

If you are a victim of a crime, you can contact Cal VCP at 800.777.9229 or visit www.calvcp.ca.gov for more information or Kings County Victim Witness Program 582-3211 ext. 2640.

 If you have any questions regarding this article, you can contact Corporal Jeannette Hanes at the Lemoore Police Department 924-9574, voicemail 925-6865 or Jeannette.hanes@lemoorepd.com

 

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