File #: 24-5410    Version: 1 Name: COMMEMORATING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE U.S VICTIM OF CRIME ACT (VOCA)
Type: Consent Calendar Resolution Status: Approved
File created: 9/19/2024 In control: Board of Commissioners
On agenda: 9/19/2024 Final action: 9/19/2024
Title: PROPOSED RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE U.S VICTIM OF CRIME ACT (VOCA) WHEREAS, in 1982 nine people were tasked by the President of the United States with examining the criminal justice response to crime victims and recommending how it could be improved; and WHEREAS, the Victim of Crime Act (VOCA) became law in 1984; and WHEREAS, VOCA requires that priority be given to services for victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, and other groups identified by the state as underserved victims of crime; and WHEREAS, more than 38 billion dollars have been invested in local programs that provide mental health, housing, legal assistance, victim advocacy, crisis intervention, and other services to help victims and survivors heal and reclaim their lives; and WHEREAS, VOCA funds are enabling tech experts to work with crime victims to protect them from cyberharassment/stalking; and WHEREAS, VOCA funds, through the Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside, enab...
Sponsors: ALMA E. ANAYA

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PROPOSED RESOLUTION

 

COMMEMORATING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE U.S VICTIM OF CRIME ACT (VOCA)

 

WHEREAS, in 1982 nine people were tasked by the President of the United States with examining the criminal justice response to crime victims and recommending how it could be improved; and 

 

WHEREAS, the Victim of Crime Act (VOCA) became law in 1984; and

 

WHEREAS, VOCA requires that priority be given to services for victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, and other groups identified by the state as underserved victims of crime; and

 

WHEREAS, more than 38 billion dollars have been invested in local programs that provide mental health, housing, legal assistance, victim advocacy, crisis intervention, and other services to help victims and survivors heal and reclaim their lives; and

 

WHEREAS, VOCA funds are enabling tech experts to work with crime victims to protect them from cyberharassment/stalking; and

 

WHEREAS, VOCA funds, through the Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside, enable Tribal communities to construct housing and shelter; and

 

WHEREAS, VOCA funds have enabled the Office of Victims of Crime (OVC) to create two brand new funding opportunities to establish trauma recovery centers in communities significantly impacted by violence and to help community programs meet the Basic Needs of Crime Victims in Underserved Communities; and

 

WHEREAS, VOCA grantees have made groundbreaking advances to expand sexual assault forensic examination programs in remote and isolated communities through telemedicine and virtual training modules; and

 

WHEREAS, in 2021, President Biden signed the VOCA Fix Act in 2021 and, since enactment, more than 1.4 billion dollars has been deposited into the Crime Victim Fund (CVF).

 

WHEREAS, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics in 2023, there were 22.5 violent victimizations per 1,000 persons age 12 or older in the United States, which was similar to the 2022 rate.

 

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners commemorates the 40th Anniversary of the U.S Victims of Crime Act (VOCA).

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