Idaho Crime Victim Services Get $1.9 Million Boost

Washington, DC â?? Victims of crime in Idaho will benefit from a $1.9 million federal grant awarded to the Idaho Council on Domestic Violence and Victim Assistance. The grant announcement was made this morning by the Department of Justice, who notified Idaho Senator Mike Crapo.â??Todayâ??s announcement is welcome news for those Idahoans who suffer at the hands of abusive partners,â?? said Crapo. â??Since 1984, the Victims of Crime Act has provided vital federal funding to community-based organizations that serve the needs of victims. This grant will boost the financial abilities of the Idaho Council on Domestic Violence and Victim Assistanceâ??s efforts to provide help to those in need. Grants such as this keep community-based assistance programs operating, and they are in better position to answer the needs of Idahoans than federal regulations which tend to provide a more generic solution to problems suffered by the victims of crime.â??Funding for this grant comes out of the Fiscal Year 2002 Crime Victims Fund under the direction of the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). The grants are awarded on a competitive basis by the State to local community-based organizations that provide direct services to crime victims. The Idaho Council on Domestic Violence and Victimâ??s Assistance was awarded a total of $1,994,000 to enhance Crime Victim Services in Idaho. # # #