CalVCB Honors Victims During National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

The theme of this year’s National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (April 18-24) aligns perfectly with the mission of the California Victim Compensation Board: Support Victims. Build Trust. Engage Communities.

Since 1965, CalVCB has stayed committed to supporting victims. We understand trauma was not your choice, but support is your path forward, and we take our role in victims’ recovery to heart. Last fiscal year, more than 50,000 victims applied for financial assistance to help flee their abusers, seek mental health treatment and cover income loss due to a crime. 

Our job is so much more than approving claims and authorizing compensation. Victims and victim advocates turn to us for information and resources. We also help with questions about filling out applications, uploading documents and understanding the compensation available. 

Today, about half of applicants go to CalVCB’s website to use an online portal to file electronically.  CalVCB is working on expanding the portal to give greater access to victim advocates in all 58 counties. In August 2020, CalVCB began testing a new feature in four counties: San Joaquin, San Francisco, San Diego and Fresno. The idea is to simplify and expedite the application process. Advocates in those four counties can create an account, track the applications in which they are the representative, upload documents and bills, create an account and complete an application for a victim. The expanded CalVCB Online Advocate Portal is scheduled to roll out statewide later this year.

In addition to online applications, CalVCB continues to process paper applications submitted by mail. We offer applications in 14 languages and can assist victims to obtain an application in a different language than we have available.

For victims who do need help, CalVCB’s Customer Service hotline operates from 8 am-5 pm Monday-Friday and can be reached at 800-777-9229. You may also contact a county Victim Witness Assistance Center with questions or help filling out an application.

Teen Dating Violence Victims Can Apply for Compensation Through CalVCB

Domestic violence compensation claims make up nearly a quarter of all applications submitted to the California Victim Compensation Board in a year, coming from victims of all ages, gender, ethnicities and income levels.

 In February, we draw attention to Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month and the increased potential for abuse surrounding Valentine’s Day and the Super Bowl.

 According to findings in the 2019 National Network to End Domestic Violence “Domestic Violence Counts Report,” state and local shelters answered more than 18,000 calls in a 24-hour period, and staff at the National Domestic Violence Hotline answered nearly 700 calls in a day, for an average of approximately 13 intimate partner violence calls a minute.

 Teens, adults and children who are victims of abuse can apply to CalVCB for compensation, including medical and mental health treatment, relocation, income loss and residential security. In fiscal year 2019-20, intimate partner victims and their children received nearly $13 million in compensation.

 Victims can also apply for an emergency award, which expedites the process of reviewing an application and issuing compensation. To be considered for an emergency award, CalVCB regulations (§ 649.8. Emergency Awards) state victims can indicate on the application, subsequent application or a bill that they are applying for an emergency award.

There are several ways to apply for compensation:

●       Create an application using the new CalVCB Online – a secure and private portal that can be easily accessed from a phone, tablet or computer.

●       Contact a local county Victim Witness Assistance Center.

●       Call the CalVCB Help Line at (800) 777-9229.

●       Download an application from CalVCB's How to Apply page.

For those experiencing abuse, or for those who suspect someone is being abused, several resources can help create a safety plan, find shelter and get help:

●       National Domestic Violence Hotline: call 800-799-SAFE, or text LOVEIS to 22522 for 24/7 help in English or Spanish

●       TheHotline.org

●       Victims of Crime Resource Center: 800-VICTIMS

●       California Partnership to End Domestic Violence: 916-444-7163 (Monday through Friday from 8:30 am – 5:30 pm)

To learn more about the compensation available to teen dating violence and intimate partner violence victims and their children, please visit our domestic violence resources page.

 

Human Trafficking Victims Compensated Nearly $130,000 By CalVCB

 

Every year we recognize January as National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. However, our commitment to helping victims and survivors lasts all year.

The Department of Justice defines human trafficking as “a crime that involves exploiting a person for labor, services, or commercial sex.” Worldwide, an estimated 25 million people are victims of labor and sex trafficking, according to the U.S. Department of State 2020 Trafficking in Persons report. California is considered a top destination for traffickers because of its access to major harbors and airports, and because it has an international border. In 2019, the National Human Trafficking Hotline recorded 1,507 cases of human trafficking reported statewide.

Federal and state laws allow victims compensation for lost income directly related to the crime, which includes human trafficking. Further, with the enactment of Assembly Bill 629 (Smith and Gonzalez) last year, victims in California can now be compensated for up to $10,000 of income loss per year they were trafficked, for up to two years. The bill also closes a loophole and allows CalVCB to rely on evidence other than official employment documentation when considering and approving income loss applications for human trafficking, therefore making it easier to provide trafficking survivors access to lost wages. Already this much-needed assistance is helping survivors rebuild their lives. In the first six months of 2020, CalVCB compensated survivors $71,033.65 in income loss.

For the 12 months ending June 30, 2020, CalVCB compensated survivors:

• Medical: $1,351.44
• Mental Health: $45,143.61
• Relocation: $10,387.00
• Residential Security: $1,117.81

Victims, advocates, representatives and attorneys can apply for compensation in several ways:

• Create an application using CalVCB Online — a secure and private portal users can easily access from a smartphone, tablet or computer.
• Contact a local county Victim Witness Assistance Center.
• Call the CalVCB Help Line at (800) 777-9229.
• Download an application from CalVCB's How to Apply page.