Rosemary W. Horne, Program Director 601-977-3751
The Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) was passed by Congress and signed into law on October 12, 1984. VOCA was a result of recommendations made by the President’s Task Force on Victims of Crime. The task force concluded that the needs of crime victims could be adequately met by federal, state and local governments along with private-sector providers, sharing the responsibility of providing victim assistance.
VOCA provides funding for programs that deliver direct services to victims of crime such as crisis intervention services, emergency services, support services and court-related services.
The Mississippi Victims of Crime Program requires a 20% match on all project cost for victim service providers and a 25% match on new victim service projects.
Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Recovery Program
The Victims of Crime Act Formula Grant Program is the major federal criminal justice funding stream designed to assist non-profit, state, local and tribal governmental agencies develop and implement specific programs to provide assistance (other than compensation) to victims of crime to include sexual assault, child abuse, domestic violence and underserved victims of violent crimes. The VOCA Recovery Act Program funds projects that may impact the criminal justice system through the provision of direct services to victims of crime, which are designed to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of criminal justice systems, processes and procedures. Administered by the U. S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), the VOCA Recovery Act also provides funds to assist non-profit, state, local, and tribal agencies to implement programs to provide direct services to victims of crime while also supporting the creation of jobs and much needed economic resources for states and local communities.
There is a 20% matching requirement for all VOCA Recovery Projects.
NOTE: Contact Carole Hawkins, VOCA Manager (601) 977-3748, or
Agnes Willis, VOCA Manager (601) 977-3763 for additional information.