March 21, 2025 - Pittsburgh, PA
Lt. Governor Austin Davis joined Center for Victims and other local victim service providers to highlight the importance of supporting victims and survivors of crime and to encourage support for the Shapiro-Davis Administration's proposed $9 million investment in the Victims Compensation Assistance Program (VCAP) in the 2025-26 state budget. "No crime victim should have to worry about how they'll afford medical bills. No family should have to struggle with funeral expenses for a loved one lost to violence. And no sexual assault survivor should have to worry about covering the costs of counseling to overcome their trauma." said Davis, chair of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). "The Victims Compensation Assistance Program is a critical financial lifeline for people who have been impacted by violence and crime. The Shapiro-Davis 2025-26 budget - and our proposed investment of $9 million into the Crime Victims Compensation Fund - will help heal families, lessen burdens, and save lives."VCAP serves as a critical financial lifeline for people who have experienced crime victimization. Each year, the program receives an average of 12,000 claims for eligible expenses including medical and counseling expenses, loss of earnings, loss of support, stolen cash, relocation, funeral costs, crime scene cleanup, and more. Over the past five years, PCCD has paid more than 67,000 VCAP claims totaling $67 million in eligible expenses for citizens across all 67 Pennsylvania counties. Speakers Include:Laurie McDonald (Center for Victims)Lt. Gov. Austin DavisEbony SaundersGeraldine Massey (Community and Family Support Therapist)Michelle Gibb (Alle-Kiski HOPE Center)Sadie Restivo (Pittsburgh Action Against Rape)Maggie Prescott (Women's Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh)Dee Dee Blosnich-Gooden (A Child's Place)Grace Coleman (Crisis Center North)
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