Tennessee Department of Treasury Recognizes National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

The week is a way to raise awareness of victims’ rights, inspire the community, and address unmet needs.

(NASHVILLE) – The Tennessee Department of Treasury is joining organizations across the country April 7th - 13th in recognizing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. The week is a way to raise awareness of victims’ rights, inspire the community, and address unmet needs. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Program, a program of the Tennessee Department of Treasury, works to help innocent victims of violent crimes in Tennessee.

The theme for the 2019 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is Honoring Our Past, Creating Hope for the Future, celebrating the progress made by those before us as we look to a future of crime victim services that is even more inclusive, accessible, and trauma-informed.

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Program is a fund of last resort for innocent victims of violent crime. While the fund cannot cover all expenses, such as those covered by other resources or damage to personal property, it may cover expenses such as medical bills, lost wages, loss of support to financial dependents, and more.

Since its inception in 1982, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund has paid out $313.5 million in claims to victims and their families when no other financial means where available. The program also provides support to those who work with victims first-hand, and provided training to 421 advocates in 2018 alone. This year the program has increased training for members of the law enforcement community and has trained more than 400 officers this year. For more information about the Criminal Injuries Compensation Program, visit treasury.tn.gov/injury.

About the Criminal Injuries Compensation Program

A program of the Tennessee Department of Treasury, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Program has paid more than $313 million since 1982, when the program began making payments to help crime victims in Tennessee begin to restore hope and recover from the financial burden of victimization. More information about the program may be found at treasury.tn.gov/injury.

Follow the Tennessee Treasury Department on Facebook and Twitter to get involved in the National Crime Victims’ Rights Week conversation.