Fox 40 Interviews VCGCB Executive Officer Julie Nauman

CalVCP Executive Officer Julie Nauman stopped by Fox 40 Sacramento to discuss the effects of rising violent crime in many California cities such as Stockton and Oakland. Nauman spent a few minutes with Fox 40’s Alisa Becerra, discussing the services CalVCP can provide crime victims.

Before even leaving the studio that morning, Nauman was approached by a Fox 40 reporter about the subject. Having two family members become victims of homicide, he understands the deep pain that inevitably accompanies violent crimes. He shared his own experience and expressed gratitude for the program and the support and services it provides victims of crime.

Whether you have been a victim or not, have you told your friends and family about the Program?

5 Tips to Help Parents Prevent Bullying

By Julie Nauman, VCGCB Executive Officer

Bullying does not harm only the child being bullied,
but has long term detrimental effects for everyone involved.
In one study, 60% percent of those identified as a bully in
grade school had at least one criminal conviction by age 24;
35 – 40% of those adults had three or more convictions.

Back-to-school season is in full swing. Between the back-to-school shopping, end of summer vacations, and the dreaded task of getting children back in the habit of waking up early, it can be a very hectic and stressful time for parents. Added to this are concerns over school safety and violence making parents even more stressed. Some children shudder at the thought of going back to school because before long they will be returning to an abusive situation of bullying.

As many as 77% of all children have encountered some type of bullying, whether it be verbal, mental, or physical abuse, according to BullyStatistics.org. Bullying does not harm only the child being bullied, but has long term detrimental effects for everyone involved. Children who are bullied have a greater risk of depression, low self-esteem, are more likely to run away, and have a higher risk of abusing alcohol or drugs in their lifetime. Many parents are unaware that bullying can be just as destructive for the bully. In one study, 60% percent of those identified as a bully in grade school had at least one criminal conviction by age 24; 35 – 40% of those adults had three or more convictions.

As many as 77% of all children have encountered some type of bullying, whether it be verbal, mental, or physical abuse, according to BullyStatistics.org.

Lawmakers are aware of this escalating problem and are working attentively to reduce these numbers. New laws recently passed will assist schools and faculty in clearly defining bullying and setting up a procedure to address the issue.

CalVCP is dedicated to helping victims of school violence and bullying. For cases that qualify, CalVCP provides financial assistance for children that are victims of such situations. In cases where a child experiences mental distress from witnessing a crime, CalVCP will assist eligible students with counseling expenses.

Prevention is also an important aspect in dealing with bullying. The following tips can help parents prevent the abuse that stems from bullying:

• Know the signs – Unexplained bruises or cuts, fear of returning to school, a drop in grades, or depression can all be signs of bullying. Behavioral issues like getting in trouble at school or obsession with popularity may be signs that your kid is a bully. 
• Open Communication – Often, kids will not want to share if they are having problems at school, but by simply asking your child how their day was or what they like most about their friends may give you some insight to their lives. If you do suspect a problem, explain to them that there’s no shame in being bullied and that it’s not their fault. Openly talking about it is the first step to fixing the problem. 
• Learn conflict management- The key word is management; not all conflict in life is resolvable, but most times it is manageable. Teaching your children to know the difference and how to handle different types of conflict is a skill they can use for life. 
• Adopt healthy hobbies - Encouraging your child to get involved in healthy hobbies in and out of school can be a great outlet for them to socialize, build new skill sets and healthy relationships. Having a hobby that assists your child in making friends and build confidence will be a positive influence that will assist them in dealing with any potential bullying. 
• Pay attention to friends – Paying close attention to the company your child keeps can be a great indicator of the type of influences your child has. If you believe certain friends are a bad influence, it’s important that you address this promptly and redirect their attention to spending time with a more positive influence. 

The task of raising a child to be a healthy, respectful, productive adult is a full-time job and can at times be overwhelming. By incorporating these tips, providing a loving home, and taking a genuine interest in your child’s life, you will undoubtedly get them headed in the right direction

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Julie Nauman is the Executive Officer for the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board (VCGCB). VCGCB provides compensation for victims of violent crime and helps to resolve claims against the State.

CalVCP Investigations Return Money Back to Victims

By Julie Nauman, VCGCB Executive Officer

CalVCP has helped countless victims of violent crimes since 1965, with over 55,000 victims applying for assistance annually. While the vast majority of CalVCP claims received are from genuine victims and care-takers that need reimbursement, some individuals submit fraudulent claims to steal money that does not belong to them. It is during such instances that the critical work of CalVCP stands out.

No industry, company, or agency is immune from ongoing acts of stealing by aggressive financial thieves. To help safeguard against theft, CalVCP exercises appropriate controls and methods to prevent and uncover fraud, beginning with our Help Center.

Recently, two California residents were convicted of defrauding CalVCP when they submitted phony invoices for the care of a victim. The two women were sentenced to county jail and probation and ordered to repay CalVCP nearly $70,000--the full amount they fraudulently acquired. Due to the diligent work of the Audits and Investigation Unit and the CalVCP Help Center, the money will be returned to the Restitution Fund so actual victims and care-takers can receive the financial assistance they need.

Media is shedding increasing light on many types of fraudulent activities nationwide. No industry, company, or agency is immune from ongoing acts of stealing by aggressive financial thieves. To help safeguard against theft, CalVCP exercises appropriate controls and methods to prevent and uncover fraud, beginning with our Help Center. The unit answers approximately 7,000 calls each month and is careful to stay alert of suspicious activities and patterns. Questionable claims undergo an initial investigation and are referred to the Audits and Investigations Unit for further examination.

A painstaking review is conducted to verify the accuracy of the claim and documents submitted, and to investigate inconsistencies or suspicious activity. The scrupulous review can take anywhere between four to five months in which the appropriate cases are then referred to local authorities or the California Office of the Attorney General for prosecution. It is through the court that defendants are ordered to repay CalVCP, making funds available to victims.

In addition to the current internal controls and prevention methods in place, a portion of investigated claims begins from an anonymous tip. The public can play an important role in reducing misuse of the Restitution Fund by contacting CalVCP. If you are suspicious or aware of fraudulent activity, please contact our Victim Helpline at 1-800-777-9229. All anonymous tipsters’ identities will remain strictly confidential.

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Julie Nauman is the Executive Officer for the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board (VCGCB), appointed in 2008. VCGCB provides compensation for victims of violent crime and helps to resolve claims against the State.