Steps to Take

We're very fortunate and blessed here in NY, because crime victims and partners who work with us from around the US have learned how to make things better. A key thing to remember, say crime victims who have been through really bad processes, is give people steps they can take. Work on the solutions you seek, and be clear about what would help.

Here's some of what I am thinking.

1. Find a way to take money out of it, so the CVB stops lying and looking for ways to eliminate helping crime victims to save money.

Where does their funding come from? Federal and state dollars, with federal surcharges on criminal defendants being a big part of it. How about taking the previous year's compensation total, and figuring out a new surcharge on criminal defendants this year, using the previous year's numbers? So every year, adjust that surcharge number, for last year's expenses to help crime victims.

Make sure it's not smoke and mirrors, like with the state or feds collecting the money and finding it irresistible to spend it on something else. (I bet that happens.)

2. Put the CVB regulations and the relevant Executive Law in a more accessible place. When it's not accessible, even CVB staff do not know what the law says and end up hurting a lot of people with their ignorance.

3. At least four times a year, the CVB should send out an S.O.S. to advocates, crime victims centers, DAs, police officers, and chiefs, and give very important reminders. Like, remind people the CVB covers the cost of security devices and other services for stalking and many other crimes. There are likely lots of other things the CVB forgets about, so they have to do a better job taking charge and getting the word out to people who need to know.

4. Recognize that there are different types of crimes. One-time crimes (e.g. assault) are different than persistent, periodic crimes targeting victims (e.g. harassment and stalking). Intimate crimes, like domestic violence, are different than stranger or random crimes. The NYS Crime Victims Board does not understand these differences in crimes and the need for different approaches.

I'll be back with more and I want to hear what other people already figured out!!