The Center for American Progress’ Gun Violence Prevention team and Common Justice have partnered to launch the “State Victim Compensation Statute Rubric,” a comprehensive review and evaluation of crime victim compensation statutes across 52 states and territories.
State crime victim compensation (CVC) programs can provide a lifeline of support when there is nowhere else to turn to for financial relief. However, these programs are too often underutilized due to restrictive state laws that create unnecessary barriers to access. Without a clear understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of state CVC statutes and a way for change-makers to demand more equitable access to this vital resource, injustices will persist.
This event will introduce the State Victim Compensation Statute Rubric and share how this project can be used by state advocates to improve access and equity in their own state for crime victims. CAP and Common Justice will also be joined by a panel of state advocates who have helped pass major legislation to reform their states’ CVC policies to discuss lessons learned from those successful movements and the opportunities ahead.