NAESV Policy Day

September 9, 2009 |
Valor
Cindy and Kavin on Capitol Hill

Cindy and Kavin

Yesterday, CALCASA staff members participated in a policy day hosted by the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence (NAESV).
CALCASA staff went to Capitol Hill and met with many California delegates and staff including:

CALCASA staff shared information with legislators about issues of importance to rape crisis centers and the victims they serve. Two key pieces of legislation CALCASA is currently highlighting include HR 3402 and S. 1340. Both bills would significantly increase funding for crime victims by raising an artificial cap placed on grants from the Victims Of Crime Act (VOCA).
CALCASA also talked to legislative staff about the importance of Sexual Assault Service Program (SASP) funding.
Background on VOCA
Enacted in 1984, VOCA created the Crime Victims Fund as a non-taxpayer funding resources for services that help crime victims cope with trauma and the aftermath of crime. More than 4,400 local agencies from all 50 states, and several US territories, depend on the VOCA Fund assistance grants to serve nearly 4 million crime victims each year.
In California, VOCA funds the California Victims Compensation Fund, which provides funding directly to victims of all types of crime including sexual violence.