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VOCA DEFINITIONS
<br />Use this information in completing Part 4, Victims Served and Types of Services. Definitions are provided by
<br />the U. S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office for Victims of Crime (OVC). The
<br />information provided in this section must be consistent with the applicant's Statement of Need and Project
<br />Proposal. An applicant who receives VOCA funding will be required to maintain data on victims served and
<br />types of services provided in accordance with the following definitions.
<br />Assistance with Victim Compensation includes making victims aware of the availability of crime victim
<br />compensation, assisting the victim in completing the required forms, gathering the needed documentation,
<br />etc. It may also include follow-up contact with the victim compensation agency on behalf of the victim.
<br />This is a mandatory VOCA service.
<br />Criminal Justice Support/Advocacy refers to support, assistance, and advocacy provided to victims at
<br />any stage of the criminal justice process, to include post -sentencing services and support.
<br />Crisis Counseling refers to in-person crisis intervention, emotional support, and guidance and counseling
<br />provided by advocates, counselors, mental health professionals, or peers. Such counseling may occur at
<br />the scene of a crime, immediately after a crime, or be provided on an on-going basis.
<br />Crisis Hotline Counseling typically refers to the operation of a 24-hour telephone service, 7 days a week,
<br />which provides crisis counseling, guidance, emotional support, information and referral, etc.
<br />Emergency Financial Assistance refers to cash outlays for transportation, food, clothing, emergency
<br />housing, etc. that is supported with VOCA grant funds or reported as matching expenses.
<br />Emergency Legal Advocacy refers to the filing of temporary restraining orders, injunctions, other
<br />protective orders, elder abuse petitions and child abuse petitions, but does not include criminal prosecution
<br />or the employment of attorneys for non -emergency purposes, such as custody disputes, civil suits, etc.
<br />Follow-up Contact refers to in-person contacts, telephone contacts, and written communications with
<br />victims to offer emotional support, provide empathetic listening, check on a victim's progress, etc.
<br />Information and Referral (in-person) refers to in-person contacts with victims during which time services
<br />and available support are identified.
<br />Other Services refers to other VOCA allowable services and activities not listed in the options provided
<br />Personal Advocacy refers to assisting victims in securing rights, remedies, and services from other
<br />agencies; locating emergency financial assistance, intervening with employers, creditors, and others on
<br />behalf of the victim; assisting in filing for losses covered by public and private insurance programs
<br />including workman's compensation, unemployment benefits, welfare, etc.; accompanying the victim to the
<br />hospital, etc.
<br />Primary Victims are the people against whom the crime was directed, except in cases of homicide and
<br />DUI deaths where the primary victims are survivors. In domestic violence situations, children of spouse
<br />abuse victims who receive services are also considered primary victims.
<br />Secondary Victims are people other than primary victims receiving services as a result of their own
<br />reaction to or needs resulting from a crime directed against a primary victim, e.g., the husband of a rape
<br />victim who receives counseling, non -offending caretaker of child abuse victims, etc.
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