Tennessee Treasury highlights financial help for crime victims during Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

NASHVILLE – October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the Tennessee Department of Treasury wants Tennesseans to know the Criminal Injuries Compensation Program could be a resource to financially assist victims who were injured as a result of a crime in Tennessee, including domestic violence.

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Program helps eligible victims and their families cover expenses such as medical bills, lost wages, loss of support to financial dependents, mental health counseling, and funeral and burial costs, when no other financial resources are available.

This year’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month continues the national theme, “With Survivors, Always,” moving from awareness to action. In that spirit, State Treasurer David H. Lillard, Jr. encourages nonprofits, churches, shelters, law enforcement, and other victim assistance organizations to take advantage of the on-demand Criminal Injuries training on our website, Treasury.tn.gov, to help advocates understand eligibility and how to assist victims in applying for compensation.

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Program offers funds of last resort, filling financial gaps when insurance or other support is unavailable or insufficient. It can even help with expenses incurred while cleaning the scene of the crime, if it occurred in a victim’s home. If the crime results in the death of the victim, the fund can assist remaining dependents with some financial support and help cover funeral and burial expenses. The program cannot cover certain ineligible expenses, such as rent or utility bills, costs from identity theft or fraud, personal property, or expenses that will be paid by any public or private source, including insurance or donations.

Learn more about the Criminal Injuries Compensation Program at treasury.tn.gov/injury.

Follow the Tennessee Treasury on Facebook and Instagram throughout October for resources and updates using #DVAM2026 and #TNVictimsFund.

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