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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 Boa...
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