This is National Crime Victims' Rights Week. Statistics show 1 out of every 103 people in Houston will become a victim of a violent crime. From robberies to assaults to hit and runs the experience can be emotionally devastating and financially trying. Consumer expert Amy Davis has details of a little known resource that can help victims get back on their feet.
"My motto and mantra has always been that crime victims are the only unwilling participants in the criminal justice system," said Houston crime victim's rights advocate Andy Kahan.
Kahan has fought and lobbied legislators to increase reimbursements for victims of violent crime in Texas over the last two decades.
"It's the least you can do, to have entities within government looking out for victims' rights, their well-being, putting their lives back together again," he explained.
That is exactly why the Texas Crime Victims Compensation Fund exists. Victims can get money for the funeral services of murder victims, lost wages if you miss days from work, reimbursement for counseling and money for relocation expenses. Last year, the fund paid out more than $47 million. Every time Kahan sees a GoFundMe page from a family asking for money for a loved ones funeral, he wonders if they know the fund pays up to $6,500 for funeral expenses.
"I think when the initial crime happens, first of all you are in a state of shock," said Kahan. "So you aren't really thinking about that. You aren't really thinking I got to fill out some forms."
You do have to fill out an application, but as long as you filed a police report when the crime was committed you have up to three years to request compensation. None of the money is from your tax dollars. It comes from restitution paid by criminals, parolee supervision fees and donations from juror pay, among other sources.
In 2016, almost 9,000 victims received benefits. On average, they were awarded $4,750.
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