LAKE COUNTY — April 22 through 28 is National Crime Victims” Rights Week. The county Board of Supervisors issued a proclamation to that effect Tuesday to the Lake County District Attorney”s Office”s Victim-Witness Division.
“It is a time for all Americans to learn about victimization, reflect on the cost of crime to our society and promote laws, policies and programs to help victims of crime rebuild their lives,” said Sam Laird, director of the Victim-Witness Division.
Laird said the Victim-Witness Division has served 950 victims of crimes so far this fiscal year, with a quarter yet to go. On average, he said, Lake County Victim-Witness serves 1,200 to 1,300 per year.
Laird noted that 301 of those were assisted with applications for compensation through the California Victim Compensation Program (VCP) to the tune of $186,282, funded by fines defendants pay and unclaimed restitution.
Laird explained that the Division seeks various forms of compensation for victims of crime ranging from elder abuse to child abuse and everything in-between.
“If someone has incurred costs as a result of a criminal action and they do not have insurance, the VCP will cover medical/dental bills, funeral burial expenses, mental health counseling, relocation and home security improvements,” explained Laird.
A criminal complaint doesn”t have to be filed with the D.A. in all cases in order for a victim to get VCP compensation, noted Laird. “We will encourage a victim or witness to participate in the process, but we understand that not everyone wants to,” said Laird.
A police report showing the applicant as a victim is needed for medical, dental and mental health counseling benefits and all other services offered through the VCP, like home security improvements and relocation, explained Laird.
Laird noted that only a fraction of crime victims nationwide report them and pursue prosecution.
“We can also prosecute in almost all cases if the victim is not cooperative,” noted Laird, “because if we don”t it sets a bad precedent and the suspect will continue to victimize.”
Not all Victim-Witness units share the dedication of Lake County”s, according to a Laird, who also serves on the California Victim-Witness Coordinating Council”s Executive Board and State Training Committee. Victims” rights may vary from state to state, protections are not always enforced, and services may not be available or meet victims” specific needs, said Laird. “Particularly vulnerable populations the elderly, persons with disabilities, ethnic and racial minorities, or residents or rural areas may not receive the support they need to rebuild their lives,” writes Laird in a recent press release.
“Our Division is much more active and creative in the ways they assist victims than many other offices throughout the state,” said D.A. Jon Hopkins, “I”m very proud of them.”
California has lead the way in the victims” rights movement with the first victim compensation program, and the first victim-witness centers established in Alameda County in 1974.
National progress over the last 30 years includes victims” rights laws and a crime victim compensation fund in every state, and more than 10,000 victim assistance programs throughout the country. Federal laws such as the Violence Against Women Act and the Crime Victims” Rights Act were enacted to protect victims and fund needed services for the nation”s nearly 24 million crime victims yearly.
Proposition 8, passed in 1980, is the Victims” Bill of Rights and includes the first amendment to California”s Constitution regarding victims” rights.
For more information contact Lake County District Attorney”s Office, Victim-Witness Division at (707) 262-4282 or email Sam Laird at saml@co.lake.ca.us.
Contact Tiffany Revelle at trevelle@record-bee.com
