Victims of Crime Act (VOCA)

The Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) of 1984 was passed by Congress to assist states in providing high quality services that are directly related to the emotional healing and recovery of crime victims. The U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), administers these funds at the federal level, and the Missouri Department of Social Services administers the VOCA funds at the state level. The primary purpose of these grants is to support the provision of direct services to victims of crime throughout the nation, to assist victims of crime as soon as possible in order to reduce the severity of the psychological and emotional consequences of the victimization, and to demonstrate on-going support for the victim in coping with the impact of the victimization.

Source of Funds

The Victims of Crime Act is funded through fines, penalties, and forfeitures collected from persons convicted of offenses against the United States.

Allocation of Funds

At least 10 percent of total funds distributed must be allocated to each of the three priority categories – victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse – and at least 10 percent to programs that serve victims determined by the state to have been previously underserved.

Match Requirements

Subrecipient agencies must provide 20 percent of the total project cost in cash or in-kind match.

Subrecipient Agency Eligibility Requirements

Subrecipient Agencies MUST:

• Be operated by a public or nonprofit organization, or a combination of such organizations, and provide services to crime victims.
• Demonstrate a record of providing effective services to crime victims.
• Demonstrate that 25 percent of their financial support comes from non-federal and non-state sources, if new to VOCA.
• Use volunteers in the provision of services.
• Promote coordinated public and private efforts to aid crime victims within the community.
• Assist victims in seeking crime victim compensation benefits.
• Comply with the applicable provisions of VOCA, the Program Guidelines, and the requirements of the DOJ Financial Guide.
• Maintain statutorily required civil rights statistics on victims.
• Abide by any additional eligibility or service criteria as established by the Missouri Department of Social Services.
• Provide services to victims of federal crimes.
• Provide services to crime victims, at no charge, through the VOCA-funded project.
• Maintain confidentiality of client-counselor information, as required by state and federal law.

VOCA Forms