Crime victim funds
get $2.3M

The U.S. Office for Victims of Crime has awarded the state $1.973 million for crime victim assistance and $309,000 for crime victim compensation programs.

The grant will be used to support local government and victim service agencies for victims of such crimes as homicide, domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse.

The money comes from the Crime Victims Fund, which is financed by fines and penalties collected by U.S. attorneys, the U.S. courts and the Bureau of Prisons.

The federal victim compensation grant supplements state funds used to pay claims for medical costs, lost wages, mental health counseling, funeral expenses and other costs that arise from violent crimes committed against innocent victims.

Last fiscal year in Hawaii, 16,433 victims were aided by victim assistance funds.