RICHMOND, Va. — Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today that Virginia has been awarded $56.9 million dollars in federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funds.
The funds are to support and improve services for crime victims and were awarded by the Justice Department’s Office for Victims of Crime.
“They will enable us to reach more crime victims with critical services to help them cope with the trauma of victimization. We will continue to seek ways to expand our resources to help individuals and families heal and move forward from these difficult situations,” says Governor McAuliffe.
The Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) receives and administers VOCA victim assistance funds for Virginia.
DCJS uses the money, in combination with state funds, to provide training, technical assistance and grants to support local victim/witness programs, sexual assault crisis centers, domestic violence programs and child abuse treatment programs throughout the Commonwealth.
The money in the fund comes from criminal fines and other resources not from taxpayers.
