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Nebraska Crime Commission

Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice

Nebraska Victim Advocacy Program

Call 911 if you are experiencing an emergency.

If you are experiencing a Mental Health Crisis please call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988 or visit https://988lifeline.org/

 

Nebraska Victim Advocacy Program

The Statewide Nebraska Victim Advocacy Program (NVAP) is able to ensure victims of crime, regardless of location and victimization type, have access to advocacy coordination and direct client assistance in order to work towards or achieve safety and well-being.

There are 93 counties in the State of Nebraska and only 19 established Victim Assistance Programs. The Nebraska Victim Advocacy Program has the ability to work with survivors Statewide as well as those effected by the crime types that are often underserved, due to both the victimization type and location of residence, specifically rural communities.

The Statewide Victim Advocacy Program is able to ensure victims of crime, regardless of location or victimization type, have access to advocacy and direct client assistance.

 

Services Available

 

Eligible Crime Types

 

Note
  • Information & referrals
  • Personal Advocacy | Accompaniment
  • Criminal Justice Advocacy
  • Emotional Support | Safety Services
  • Assistance with filing Crime Victim Reparation (CVR) claims
  • Assistance with registering for offender notifications
  • Financial assistance for victim safety and well-being needs

 

 
  • Survivors of Homicide Victims 
  • Family Violence
  • Kidnapping
  • Elder Abuse or Neglect
  • Human Trafficking
  • Robbery
  • Burglary
  • Arson
  • Mass Violence
  • Teen Dating Abuse
  • Vehicular Victimization
  • DUI/DWI Incidents
  • Bullying (verbal, cyber, physical)
  • Physical/Sexual Assault
  • Child Abuse or Neglect
  • Child Pornography
  • Child Sexual Abuse
  • Domestic Violence
  • Hate Crime

 

It is not required that there be a pending criminal case to be eligible.

 

U.S. citizenship is not required.

 

 

The Nebraska Victim Advocacy Program is funded through the Federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Federal Grant 2019-V2-GX-0061.

 

NVAP DIRECT VICTIM ASSISTANCE FUND

Through partnership with the Federal Grants Division, VOCA (Victims of Crime Act) dollars are available to assist with the following safety and well-being needs.

Eligible Direct Victim Assistance

 

Ineligible Direct Victim Assistance

 

Note
  • Relocation for safety
  • Window and door lock replacement or repair
  • Other repairs necessary to ensure victim safety
  • Emergency food, transportation, clothing, and shelter
  • Transportation, meals, and lodging to participate in the Criminal Justice Process

 

 
  • Property loss and or damage due to theft/vandalism
  • Expenses related to hardship
  • Costs/needs related to being a witness
  • Vehicle related expenses

 

 

Eligibility is based on the current VOCA rule. Agencies will be required to collect and provide receipts, invoices, lease agreements, etc. and request decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.

 

The Direct Victim Assistance Fund operates via reimbursement and requires detailed supporting documentation for reimbursement to be approved.

 

Eligible Direct Victim Assistance

Relocation Assistance

 
  • Must show sustainability of living costs ongoing
  • Offender’s name must either be removed from the lease or working towards having it removed
  • Landlord/Leasing agent must be willing to acknowledge that when a tenant vacates the deposit is returned to the agency to whom paid, not the victim themselves (are able to look at funding monthly costs in lieu of deposit if feasible and this requirement is no longer needed)
  • Limit one occurrence per victim/family

 

Window and door lock replacement or repair to ensure victim safety

 
  • Replacement need or area of repair must pose a safety risk if not repaired/replaced
  • If insured one must exhaust that option first
  • Installation must occur by a professional  
  • Limit one occurrence per victim/family

 

Transportation, meals, lodging to participate in the Criminal Justice Process
  • Assistance with costs for a victim to participate in criminal justice proceedings to include attending the sentencing hearing.
  • Up to 5 nights per victim/family
  • Cannot consider costs incurred due to being a witness

 

Emergency needs to ensure safety and well being
  • The need must relate directly to a crime being committed
  • Medical devices (wheelchairs, hearing aid, eyeglasses) only if insurance or other suitable agencies cannot pay within 48 hours of crime)
  • Childcare (only to receive services related to the victimization)  
  • Transportation (only for a victim to participate in services related to victimization)

 

Ineligible Direct Victim Assistance

  • Mortgage payments
  • Past due living costs
    • Prior to date of the crime
  • Past due bills
    • May be considered with detailed documentation
  • Fees/fines
    • Unless fees/fines that any individual would be responsible for; such as application fees to apply for an apartment, etc.
  • Vehicle related
    • Repair costs
    • Loan/leasing payments
    • Insurance and licensing costs
  • Expenses related to hardship
  • Property loss due to theft/vandalism
  • Costs/needs related to being a witness

 

Important Notes Regarding Funding Requests

  • The request for funds must speak to the ways in which approval would assist in the immediate emotional, psychological and physical health and safety of the victim and includes a plan for sustainability of any services provided.
  • The financial need must have a connection to a recent crime victimization, or a recent emergency connected to the victimization. (i.e., perpetrator is being released and there are needs related to safety).
  • Expenses must be reasonable
  • This is a fund of last resort, NVAP is unable to pay for needs that can be met through other sources such as Crime Victims Reparations, DHS, Medicaid, etc.

 

OTHER RESOURCES

To find local resources in Nebraska for food, housing, mental health, and other community services: Call 211, Text your zip code to 898211, or visit their website for more options:  https://ne211.org/

State of Nebraska Victim Resources

 

REFERENCE LIBRARY

 

CONTACTS

Julie Geise
Victim Advocacy Coordinator
402.429.1609