The Idaho Industrial Commission, through the
Crime Victim Compensation Program,
offers social and financial assistance to victims of violent crime and their
families. The Program offers compensation to crime victims for expenses
incurred as a result of their victimization. Eligible reimbursements may
include lost wages, medical, funeral, and counseling expenses up to a
maximum of $25,000.
To date, the Program has assisted over 21,000 victims of
crime, and provided over $27,000,000 in financial assistance. In Fiscal Year
2006, the Program received 2,000 applications for assistance, paying an
average of $3,100 per claim. Nearly 83% of these cases involved criminal
misconduct against women and children.
Funding for the Program is primarily received from fines
levied on misdemeanor ($25.00) and felony ($50.00) convictions and a $200.00
penalty for sex offense convictions. The Program also receives funding from
a Federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant, court ordered restitution,
recovery from civil suits filed against offenders and from contributions.
The Program works to ensure that victims of violence and their dependents
receive needed assistance without the use of taxpayer dollars.
In Fiscal Year 2001 the Program established a Financial
Recovery Department to work cooperatively with the courts to hold offenders
financially responsible by aggressively seeking reimbursement through
restitution and subrogation. The judge presiding over the criminal case
determines how much the offender is to pay and to whom. Funds recovered by
the program are used to provide assistance to victims of crime throughout
Idaho.
In June 2006 the Program celebrated their 20th
anniversary of providing assistance to crime victims. The celebration was
attended by victim service professionals from across the state. Featured
speakers included the Executive Director of the National Association of
Crime Victims’ Compensation Boards and a recipient of compensation benefits.
The recipient provided first-hand insight into the impact that compensation
benefits has on crime victims.
Since 2001, the Program has been responsible for
administering payment of sexual assault forensic examinations statewide. The
Program’s early involvement in sexual assault and child sexual assault cases
has resulted in a 165% increase in the number of victims seeking treatment
for physical and emotional injuries. Over half of all the cases filed with
the Program involve sexual related offenses.
Similar to other Divisions within the Industrial
Commission, the Crime Victims Compensation Program has been severely
impacted by Idaho’s growing population. In the last five years alone, the
number of claims filed with the Program has increased by 72%. To keep pace
with the demand for services, the Program added a Customer Service
Representative and a Claims Examiner in Fiscal Year 2006.
In conjunction with administering the Crime Victim’s Act,
the Bureau Chief and his staff continue work with local government entities
and private non-profit organizations to educate the public about the Program
and to reach out to victims of crime. Outstanding relationships have been
built with law enforcement, hospitals, care providers, crisis centers, and
other victim programs to increase awareness of the services available to
them through the Program.
