CalVCB helps victims of violent crime rebuild their lives by reimbursing them for costs associated with the crimes. Where appropriate, CalVCB encourages media to: 

• Include the recovery process in crime related reporting to provide hope and build community resilience – particularly as it relates to large-scale incidents, such as mass violence events. 
• Include references to rebuilding and recovery resources in crime reporting. 
• End relevant stories with this awareness-building statement: 
  • “If you or someone you know has been the victim of a violent crime, financial assistance may be available to help you rebuild your life. Visit victims.ca.gov to learn more.”

CalVCB’s awareness campaign – “CalVCB Can Help You Rebuild” – aims to bring awareness of CalVCB’s services and resources to all communities in California.

Violent crime impacts not only the victim but also their family, friends, workplace, school, and community. Exposure to crime and violence is associated with physical and mental illness, childhood developmental delays, worse birth outcomes, and premature death. While prevention is key, providing hope and recovery can also lessen the negative impacts of crime. 

Because crime stories are often newsworthy, CalVCB encourages the media to share recovery tools and resources. Examples of violent crimes covered by CalVCB include:

• Child abuse, endangerment, abandonment, and kidnapping
• Domestic violence and stalking
• Driving under the influence, vehicular manslaughter, and hit and run
• Elder abuse
• Hate crimes
• Homicide and murder
• Human Trafficking
• Mass violence and terrorism
• Rape, sexual assault, and sexual battery
• Robbery