Costa Announces $34 Million for Financial Assistance to California Crime Victims

Press Release

Rep. Jim Costa announced today that California will receive $34 million for financial assistance to Federal and State victims of crime. The funds were provided under the Victims of Crime Act. As co-founder and co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Victims' Rights Caucus, Costa has worked to increase funding for the Crime Victims Fund that provides grants such as this at no cost to taxpayers.

"The Crime Victims Fund provides critical services to communities and organizations that support victims throughout the country, California, and our Valley," said Costa. "Since I came to Congress, I have fought to protect and expand this program, which provides funding for domestic violence shelters, victims' compensation for court costs, funeral services and medical expenses. These funds will help our victims' rights advocates throughout the state continue their invaluable work."

The Fund was enacted to pay for victims' services and compensation. It operates with money collected from criminal offenders, not taxpayers. Once collected, the funding is distributed to victims and organizations that provide victims' services. The Fund helps provide funding for domestic violence shelters, victims' compensation for court costs, funeral services and medical expenses.

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