October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Abuse can come in a variety of forms –physical, financial, digital, emotional, sexual. An estimated 10 million men, women, girls and boys experience intimate partner violence a year, with approximately 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men saying they’ve been physically abused by a partner in their lifetime. For children who witness abuse, it can have a long-lasting negative effect on them emotionally, socially and academically.
Every October, the
California Victim Compensation Board joins with people and organizations
nationwide to recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month and acknowledge all
intimate partner victims and survivors. This year, the effort to raise
awareness is even greater, as it’s feared many victims are being forced to shelter-at-home
with their abusers, who may use the COVID-19 pandemic
as another way to control their partners.
California Governor Gavin Newsom also recognizes the
impact the pandemic is having on abuse victims and published resources on the
state’s COVID-19
website.
Approximately a quarter
(12,547) of all applications submitted to CalVCB in Fiscal Year 2019-20 were
from intimate partner violence victims and their children, who received nearly
$13 million in compensation:
●
Mental Health: $6,869,715.83
●
Relocation: $2,742,022.00
●
Income/Support Loss: $1,550,391.66
●
Medical: $734,752.20
●
Funeral/Burial: $356,216.33
●
Dental: $297,869.11
●
Residential Security: $255,113.42
●
Crime Scene Clean-Up: $9,898.94
Direct and derivative victims may apply for an emergency
award to avoid or mitigate a substantial hardship that is a direct result of
the crime, including the inability to provide food, shelter or medical care.
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. Upon receipt, CalVCB expedites the process for verifying the
application, subsequent application or bill to determine if an emergency award
is appropriate. A decision is then promptly communicated to the applicant. If
approved, the amount of an emergency award is based on the applicant's
immediate financial need as a direct result of the qualifying crime. In Fiscal
Year 2019-20, CalVCB approved 114 domestic violence claims within 30 days of
receipt, awarding those victims more than a half-million dollars.
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.
An application for CalVCB compensation should be filed
within seven years of the crime, seven years after the direct victim turns 18
years of age, or seven years from when the crime could have been discovered,
whichever is later.
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
●
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)