OVC is working to ensure that the nation's criminal justice systems recognize the rights and needs of victims and promote restorative justice. OVC also administers funds for crime victim assistance and compensation programs, funds pilot and demonstration victims services projects, and trains criminal justice practitioners in responding to victims' needs. Fines collected in one year by U.S. Attorneys, the U.S. Courts, and the Bureau of Prisons are deposited into the fund and are available for grant awards in the following year. Because revenue for the fund is wholly dependent on federal crime-fighting, in December 1997 the Attorney General recognized the key role that Justice Department components play in securing funding for victims. The Daiwa litigation team from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York received a Crime Victims Fund Award for its work on this case.
Every state receives formula grant funds for victim assistance and victim compensation programs.
These funds supported more than 2,800 local victim assistance agencies and served approximately two million crime victims. Funding helps state victim assistance programs provide funds to community agencies that promote crisis intervention, criminal justice advocacy, counseling, emergency shelter, and other services. Victim assistance funds also support children's advocacy centers and comprehensive victim service centers. Through discretionary funding, OVC supports demonstration initiatives that are creating seamless victim assistance programs. OVC also uses discretionary funds to respond to community crises.