Federal Crime Victim Assistance Emergency Fund

Often victims of federal crime who attempt to exercise their rights or seek services lack adequate resources or access to traditional sources of support. To minimize this hardship, OVC established the Federal Crime Victim Assistance Emergency Fund. Participation in the fund is based on specific participation in both the criminal justice system and services for victims as outlined in the Victim and Witness Protection Act of 1982, the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (as amended), the Crime Control Act of 1990, and the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. Fund resources are available to meet the needs of victims of federal crime if a federal agency requests assistance.

In the past, OVC has provided funding to the Department of Justice's Executive Office for United States Attorneys, Civil Rights Division—Criminal Section, Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Department of Homeland Security's Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. OVC also recently developed a small emergency fund that allows other federal agencies to assist federal victims with emergency needs. Funds have been used to provide emergency services such as:

• Crisis intervention.
• Food and clothing.
• Legal assistance.
• Shelter or temporary housing.
• Necessary and reasonable transportation for a victim to receive crisis intervention or medical services.
• Payment of necessary and reasonable costs for the forensic medical examination of a sexual assault victim.
• Services that help the victim participate in judicial proceedings, such as necessary and reasonable transportation to court, childcare, and interpreters.