Letter To Our Editor & Readers

The week of April 26, 20009 until May 2, 2009 is designated as National Crime Victims Week. The theme for the 2009 year is “25 years of Rebuilding Lives: Celebrating the Victims of Crime Act.” Crime is not something that affects just one individual, rather it also affects their family, friends, co-workers, as well as the taxpayers. According to the Division of Criminal Justice Services, in 2007 in Cattaraugus County, there were 148 violent crimes which included murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault and there were 1,964 property crimes that included burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft. As you can see, crime affects a vast number of individuals.

This week is set aside to pay tribute to the victims of crime; to acknowledge their strength, courage, determination, as well as hard work and perseverance. The judicial process isn’t always an easily understood and maneuverable system. There are road blocks and frustrations that go along for any victim. The cost of crime is far reaching. There are emotional costs, the physical costs, the monetary costs. However, many residents of New York State are unaware of a program that was specifically designed to support and assist victims with all of these needs.

The New York State Crime Victims Board was developed to assist all of these victims. This board is designed to assist innocent victims of crime that are eligible for reimbursement for their out of pocket expenses related to the crime. Some examples include, but are not limited to, medical and funeral expenses, loss of earnings or support, counseling costs, crime scene clean up expenses, the cost to repair or replace items of essential personal property, reasonable court transportation expenses, assistance to crime victims acting as a good Samaritan, the cost of residing at or utilizing the services of a domestic violence shelter, and limited attorney’s fees. New York State Law also provided for direct reimbursement by the Crime Victims Board to providers of sexual assault forensic health care examination services in case the victim doesn’t have access to, or chooses not to use, private health care insurance.

If you have a question or want to learn more about Crime Victims Board to see if you are eligible, please contact Cattaraugus Community Action’s Victim Services Division. Victim Services is a designated Victim Assistance Program by the Crime Victims Board and can assist with filing your claim. Call the toll free 24 hour hotline number at 1-888-945-3970. The purpose of Victim Services is to provide support and assistance to all innocent victims of crime.

Sincerely,
Molly Lewis
Long Term Sexual Assault Counselor