| The West Virginia Crime Victims Compensation Fund was created by the West Virginia Legislature in 1981 and the Crime Victims Compensation Fund had its first claim in 1982. Originally, the concept for a Crime Victims Compensation Fund (CVCF) originated in Europe and eventually taken up by the state of California in 1965.
The West Virginia Legislature finds and declares that a primary purpose of Government is to provide for the safety of citizens and the inviolability of their property.
The Crime Victims Compensation Fund, which is funded by a yearly grant from the federal Department of Justice and from the fees and fine's imposed on any order by the court on any crime, as well as any restitution the court has awarded the victim.
The WV Crime Victims Compensation Fund is to provide economic recovery or assistance to any West Virginia who is a victim of a "criminally injurious accident" and reports the crime to the police within 72 hours for certain crimes committed and 96 hours on any crime committed in a sexual nature.
After a report has been filed with the police, the victim can contact our office (304.347.4850) or any of the 23 County Victim Advocates who work with innocent victims of crime every day, you have until 2 years to submit a claim within our offices.
The West Virginia Crime Victims Compensation Fund may and will those who require assistance. To bring a few to the forefront, the WV CVCF can supply financial assistance to those are seeking re-location from a domestic violent situation; can provide for economic loss due to an accident; will assist in burial expenses; travel expenses to and from doctor's appointments and or court appearances; reasonable attorney fees, should they be required; and accommodations for those requiring medical care, products and services and accommodations including those that require mental health counseling, prosthetic devices, eye glasses and dentures; and almost any crime in which a citizen of West Virginia has been injured at no fault of their own.
Applications may for compensation may be obtained by visiting the West Virginia Legislature's web site (www.wvlegis.org) or by contacting one of the investigators located in the West Virginia Crime Victims Compensation Fund office or any of the county victims' advocates that are available to assist.
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