The Office of Victims of Crime at the Department of Justice implements programs authorized by the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) and uses funds from the Crime Victims Fund (CVF) to provide grants. State and local organizations serving survivors of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, trafficking, and other crimes use these funds to provide counseling, case management, crisis hotlines, emergency shelters, and community-based programs. 

The current funds available in the Crime Victims Fund are dangerously low, projected to be depleted in January 2025. It is critical for Congress to fix the formula this year by finding an additional funding source. The Crime Victims Fund has typically been funded by penalty fees rather than general appropriations from taxpayer monies.  

The proposed Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act, S. 4514, would direct excess funds collected through the False Claims Act into the Crime Victims Fund (CVF) through Fiscal Year 2029. Those guilty of knowingly and falsely claiming money from the U.S. or knowingly failing to pay money to the U.S. are liable for three times the government’s damages plus a penalty. In fiscal year 2023, the Department of Justice prosecution settlements and judgments exceeded $2.68 billion. For example, the False Claims Act is used to recover funds from those in health care who falsely bill Medicare or Medicaid, fraud in pandemic relief programs, or companies who violate federal government contracts. The bill also makes certain that whistle-blowers are protected and compensated. 

The Crime Victims Fund was created in 1984 to provide grants to state and local programs that assist victims of crime. These funds are the most essential and flexible source of funding for crime victim services across the nation. The proposed CVF formula will allow federal financial penalties from the False Claims Act to be deposited into the Crime Victims Fund and used to serve victims of crime. These programs need a steady and consistent stream of funding.