HomeMy WebLinkAboutVoca DefinitionsVOCA DEFINITIONS
Use this information in completing Part 4, Types of Services. Definitions are provided by the U. S. Department
of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office for Victims of Crime (OVC). The information provided in this
section must be consistent with the applicant's Statement of Need and Project Proposal. An applicant who
receives VOCA funding will be required to maintain data on victims served and types of services provided in
accordance with the following definitions.
Assistance with Victim Compensation includes making victims aware of the availability of crime victim
compensation, assisting the victim in completing the required forms, gathering the needed documentation,
etc. It may also include follow-up contact with the victim compensation agency on behalf of the victim.
This is a mandatory VOCA service.
Criminal Justice Support/Advocacy refers to support, assistance, and advocacy provided to victims at
any stage of the criminal justice process, to include post -sentencing services and support.
Crisis Counseling refers to in-person crisis intervention, emotional support, and guidance and counseling
provided by advocates, counselors, mental health professionals, or peers. Such counseling may occur at
the scene of a crime, immediately after a crime, or be provided on an on-going basis.
Crisis Hotline Counseling typically refers to the operation of a 24-hour telephone service, 7 days a week,
which provides crisis counseling, guidance, emotional support, information and referral, etc.
Emergency Financial Assistance refers to cash outlays for transportation, food, clothing, emergency
housing, etc. that is supported with VOCA grant funds or reported as matching expenses.
Emergency Legal Advocacy refers to the filing of temporary restraining orders, injunctions, other
protective orders, elder abuse petitions and child abuse petitions, but does not include criminal prosecution
or the employment of attorneys for non -emergency purposes, such as custody disputes, civil suits, etc.
Follow-up Contact refers to in-person contacts, telephone contacts, and written communications with
victims to offer emotional support, provide empathetic listening, check on a victim's progress, etc.
Information and Referral (in-person) refers to in-person contacts with victims during which time services
and available support are identified.
Other Services refers to other VOCA allowable services and activities not listed in the options provided.
Personal Advocacy refers to assisting victims in securing rights, remedies, and services from other
agencies; locating emergency financial assistance, intervening with employers, creditors, and others on
behalf of the victim; assisting in filing for losses covered by public and private insurance programs
including workman's compensation, unemployment benefits, welfare, etc.; accompanying the victim to the
hospital, etc.
Primary Victims are the people against whom the crime was directed, except in cases of homicide and
DUI deaths where the primary victims are survivors. In domestic violence situations, children of spouse
abuse victims who receive services are also considered primary victims.
Secondary Victims are people other than primary victims receiving services as a result of their own
reaction to or needs resulting from a crime directed against a primary victim, e.g., the husband of a rape
victim who receives counseling, non -offending caretaker of child abuse victims, etc.
Shelter/Safe Rouse refers to providing short- and long-term housing services to victims and families
following a victimization.
Support Groups refers to the coordination and provision of supportive group activities and includes self-
help, peer, social support, etc.
Telephone Contacts refers to contacts with victims during which time services and available support are
identified.
Therapy refers to intensive professional psychological and/or psychiatric treatment of individuals, couples,
and family members related to counseling to provide emotional support in crisis arising from the
occurrence of crime. This includes the evaluation of mental health needs, as well as the actual delivery of
psychotherapy. Individuals who provide this service must meet the criteria outlined in the Florida Statutes
(F. S.).
Unduplicated Victims are victims not counted on previous quarterly reports. Unduplicated victims may be
either primary or secondary victims of crime. A person may be counted more than once only as a result of
an entirely separate and unrelated crime during the reporting period, e.g., a domestic violence victim is
victimized during a separate episode.