Press Release
For Immediate Release: February 2, 2016
Contact: Janice Mackey, (916) 491-3821
Twitter: @helpingvictims
Applications and Publications Now Available for non-English Speakers
Sacramento, CA — The California Victim Compensation Program (CalVCP) now has applications and outreach publications in 13 of the most common languages spoken in the state. Languages in addition to English include Arabic, Armenian, Cambodian, Chinese, Farsi, Hmong, Korean, Lao, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish and Tagalog. The translated documents will provide clear and more effective communication with victims in California.
In 2015, CalVCP, a program of the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board, issued a Gap Analysis Report that identified the lack of written compensation information in multiple languages as a significant barrier to meeting needs of victims of violent crime. Forty-three percent of the California population speaks a language other than English at home, so having information available in multiple languages is vital in ensuring victims receive the help they need.
Applicants are now able to access and complete an application in their language. Subsequent correspondence from CalVCP will also be in their language. Victims will be more likely to receive compensation from CalVCP because they will be able to communicate in their preferred language.
“We are always striving to meet the needs of all victims,” said Julie Nauman, Executive Officer of the State Board. “This is just one of the ways we are working to improve our communication to ensure victims in California have the help they need to begin their journey to healing.”
The California Victim Compensation Program (CalVCP) provides compensation for victims of violent crime who are injured or threatened with injury. Among the crimes covered are domestic violence, child abuse, sexual and physical assault, homicide, robbery, and vehicular manslaughter.
If a person meets eligibility criteria, CalVCP will compensate many types of services when the costs are not covered by other sources. Eligible services include medical and dental care, mental health services, income loss, funeral expenses, rehabilitation and relocation. Funding for CalVCP comes from restitution fines and orders, penalty assessments levied on persons convicted of crimes and traffic offenses, and matching federal funds.
For more information about victims’ rights and services, visit the CalVCP at CalVCP.ca.gov.