Oregon Department of Justice Crime Victim Service Division: The Cost and Distribution of Victim Assistance Programs
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Date
2013-05
Authors
Beach, Paul
Ference, Jessica
McKay, David
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Department of Planning, Public Policy & Management, University of Oregon
Abstract
The purpose of this report is to clarify the existing distribution of service costs for District Attorney Victim Assistance Programs (VAPs) in Oregon. VAPs are essential components of the criminal justice system by reducing the impact of crime on victims and strengthening victims’ ability to be productive members of society. By promoting rights, providing information, and empowering lives, VAPs serve the underserved and support the less visible side of justice.
Scarce state and federal funding for these county-based programs mean it is essential that the Crime Victims’ Services Division (CVSD) allocate resources to these programs both equitably and efficiently. This means ensuring a minimum level of service provision for all victims across the state regardless of location and doing so in the most cost-effective manner possible. In clarifying the existing distribution of service costs for VAPs, this report highlights potential improvements to the equity between programs.
There are two major funding issues when attempting to improve the ability of VAPs to provide services. The first is the total amount of funding available for all VAPs. Local, county, state, and federal resources and political priorities influence total funding. Because of the data available, this report touches briefly on the need for more overall financial support, but provides recommendations that would allow a more robust estimate of VAPs total funding needs in the future. The second issue is the distribution of existing funding across current programs. An equitable distribution should consider all the demographic factors that influence VAP service provision, including county crime rates, per capita population, and the number and type of victims.
Description
Examining committee: Colleen Chrisinger