Article
Prior to the enactment of a new law last Session, sexual assault victims were not eligible to receive compensation from the Texas Crime Victims' Compensation Fund for relocation expenses unless they were assaulted by a family member who lived in the same home. They also were not eligible to move into domestic violence shelters. Since these victims often fear that the perpetrator will return to their homes to attack them again, relocation or moving to a shelter is crucial, but the victims may not have the money for relocation.
The Crime Victims' Compensation Act in the Code of Criminal Procedure establishes a compensation fund to reimburse victims of violent crimes for certain expenses that are not recoverable from other sources. Reimbursement can go toward expenses for medical care, counseling, funerals, child care, judicial proceedings, and relocation expenses. Money for the fund comes primarily from court fees paid by criminal offenders.
Victims of domestic violence may also receive a one-time compensation from the Crime Victims' Compensation Fund of up to $1,800 for housing rental expenses and up to $2,000 for relocation expenses, including rental deposit, utility connections, moving expenses, and for out-of-state moves, transportation, lodging and meals.
Since the term "domestic violence" was not clearly defined, victims such as a woman assaulted by her estranged husband who lived in a separate house could not be compensated. House Bill 519, which became effective September 1, 2001 changed the definition of "domestic violence" to "victims of family violence or sexual assault" to clarify who is eligible for reimbursement. Now the address of the perpetrator is not a bar for compensation. It is estimated that more than 300 sexual assault victims per year will be eligible for financial assistance.
For more information on eligibility for the Crime Victims' Compensation Fund, please write my Capitol Office at P. O. Box 2910, Austin, Texas 78768.
If you or someone you know is a victim of family violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is (800) 799-SAFE (7233). The hotline is staffed 24 hours a day by trained counselors who can provide crisis assistance and information about shelters, legal advocacy, health care centers, and counseling.
State Representative Ron Clark
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768-2910
(903) 893-9426 * (512) 463-0474
(512) 475-3767 (fax)