Oregon
Victim Resources & Support Services

(last updated 7/08/98)


SPECIAL COMPENSATION PROGRAM
(314)751-4905


COUNTY/CITY VICTIM/WITNESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

HISTORY

As a result of the 1983 Oregon legislature, (ORS 147.227) the Oregon Department of Justice, Crime Victims' Assistance Section (CVAS) was given authority to disburse up to one-half of the unitary assessment monies that the Criminal Injuries Compensation Account receives from the Criminal Fine and Assessment Account, to counties and cities where prosecuting attorneys maintain comprehensive victims' assistance programs approved by CVAS.

PROCESS

To qualify for approval by CVAS, a comprehensive victims' assistance program shall not restrict services only to victims or witnesses of a particular type of crime, but shall provide services to victims and witnesses generally. The program must also, in the determination of CVAS, substantially accomplish the following comprehensive services to victims and witnesses of all types of crime with particular emphasis on serious crimes against persons and property including, but not limited to the following:

If a proposed victim/witness assistance program is not able to provide all of the above listed duties, CVAS will review and determine whether or not it would be practicable at the current time for the district attorney or city attorney to establish a more comprehensive program, and may qualify the program on a temporary basis under certain restrictions or conditions.

Currently, 34 district attorneys' offices and eight city attorneys' offices have certified programs. Monthly revenue payments are processed by CVAS and forwarded to the certified local programs. Program development, technical assistance, training and auditing are provided by CVAS to all of the local programs throughout the state.

For more information regarding the prosecutor-based victim/witness assistance programs in Oregon, please call or write to:

Crime Victims' Assistance Section
Attn: Outreach Coordinator
1162 Court St. N.E.
Salem, OR 97310
Ph: (503) 378-5348
Fax: (503) 378-5738


THE CRIME VICTIMS' COMPENSATION PROGRAM

Topics:
  Compensation for victims of crime
  Compensation may include
  To be eligible for compensation you must
  Compensation losses/expenses may include
  Victims are not eligible if
  Processing of application will be deferred if
  How applications are determined
  How to submit an application


COMPENSATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME

Every year hundreds of people are killed or injured in this state as a result of violent crime. These people are victims if robberies, child abuse, assaults, rapes, domestic violence, homicides and other serious crimes. These innocent people endure the trauma of medical expenses and loss of earnings. In homicide cases, families suffer emotional grief, loss of financial support and funeral costs.

The State of Oregon has recognized the needs of victims and their families. In 1977 the Oregon, Crime Victim's Compensation Program was enacted. This law provides a way to ease the financial losses of the victim and the victim's family as a result of these violent crimes.

If you have been a victim of crime in Oregon, Crime Victim's Compensation Program (CVCP) may be able to help you.

"Victim" means a person who is injured or killed as a result of a compensable crime committed against the victim in the State of Oregon.

"Compensable Crime" means an intentional, knowing or reckless act by a person resulting in physical and/or emotional injury and/or death of another person which would be punishable as a crime.

COMPENSATION MAY INCLUDE:

TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR COMPENSATION YOU MUST:
  1. Be a victim of a crime which occurred in Oregon or an Oregon resident victimized in a state without a victim compensation program.
  2. Report the crime to the police or sheriff within 72 hours.*
  3. Cooperate fully to apprehend and prosecute the assailant.
  4. Not have been involved in a wrongful act and/or did not provoke the assailant.
  5. Apply for compensation within 6 months of the crime.*

* May be waived with good cause.

COMPENSATION LOSSES/EXPENSES MAY INCLUDE: VICTIMS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE IF: PROCESSING OF APPLICATION WILL BE DEFERRED IF: HOW APPLICATIONS ARE DETERMINED

After receiving the application, the Crime Victims' Compensation Program will process your request for compensation, which requires obtaining police reports, medical reports, employment verification (when applicable) and any other information necessary for the investigation.

Benefits available, such as sick leave, medical, disability or life insurance, social security or restitution are primary to compensation awarded. Any monies recovered for the injury after compensation has been paid must be repaid to the Department.

The Crime Victims' Compensation Program will notify you in writing of the decision determining your request for compensation.

HOW TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION:

A copy of Oregon's crime victim compensation claim application can be obtained by calling or writing the Program at:

Crime Victims' Compensation Program
Department of Justice
1162 Court St. NE
Salem, Oregon 97310
Telephone (503) 378-5348
TDD (503) 378-5938
FAX (503) 378-5738

Or applications can be obtained from your local District Attorney's Victim Assistance Program.

The following is a directory of all the certified county and city victim/witness assistance programs located throughout Oregon:

COUNTY VICTIMS' ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

Baker
(541) 523-8205
Benton
(541) 757-6815
Clackamas
(503) 655-8431
Clatsop
(503) 325-1559
Columbia
(503) 397-7240
Coos
(541) 396-3121
Crook
(541) 447-4158
Curry
(541) 247-7011
Deschutes
(541) 317-3160
Douglas
(541) 440-4390
Grant
(541) 575-0146
Harney
(541) 573-8300
Hood River
(541)386-3103
Jackson
(541) 776-7520
Jefferson
(541) 475-4452
Josephine
(541) 474-5200
Klamath
(541) 883-5147
Lake
(541) 947-6009
Lane
(541) 687-4523
Lincoln
(541) 265-7445
Linn
(541) 967-3836
Malheur
(541) 473-5155
Marion
(503) 588-5253
Morrow
(541) 676-9061
Multnomah
(503) 248-3222
Polk
(503) 623-9268
Tillamook
(503) 842-1241
Umatilla
(541) 278-6265
Union
(541) 963-1007
Wallowa
(541) 426-4543
Wasco
(541) 296-6451
Washington
(503) 648-8698
Yamhill
(503) 434-7510 Ext. 4405

CITY VICTIMS' ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

Beaverton
(503) 526-2210
Enterprise
(541) 426-4543 Ext. 26
Eugene
(541) 687-4523
Newberg
(503) 537-1208
Pendleton
(541) 966-0206
Salem
(503) 588-6003
All applications should be mailed to the address above for proper processing.