NORC Research Brief: National Study of Victim Compensation Programs Findings and Recommendations

• NCJ Number: 309531
• Author(s): Jeanette Hussemann; Malore Dusenberry; Jennifer Yahner; Robbie Dembo; Elena Navarro; Genevieve Citrin Ray; Joshua Fording
• Date Published: August 2024
• Length: 9 pages
• Grant Number(s): 15PNIJ-21-GG-00995-NONF
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical); Report (Grant Sponsored)
• Award: Twenty Years Later: National Study of Victim Compensation Program Trends, Challenges, and Successes.

Annotation

This brief presents findings and recommendations of a national study by NORC at the University of Chicago and the Urban Institute of perceptions of fairness of victim compensation programs.

Abstract

This brief summarizes findings and recommendations of a survey of victim compensation programs conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago and the Urban Institute. The researchers administered a survey to victim compensation program administrators in each of four states, partnering with the states for a deep-dive assessment of their programs to examine how different victim compensation program structures, models, funding streams, and policies influence how programs operate and distribute compensation. The study is meant to update information learned from the 2003 seminal report National Evaluation of State Victims of Crime Act Assistance and Compensation Programs: Trends and Strategies for the Future on state victim compensation and assistance programs. This brief presents findings from the study and offers recommendations to support victim compensation programs in the years to come.