The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) provides funding support to Victim Witness Assistance Programs through the Victim Witness Grant Program (VWGP), using federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant funds, state general funds, and state special funds accrued from court fees. The grant awards are based on a funding method that DCJS developed with the input of local programs and stakeholders. Local Victim Witness Assistance Programs are housed in government agencies, primarily in the offices of Commonwealth’s Attorneys and local law enforcement.

In state fiscal year 2023 (SFY2023), there were 114 total projects (111 local and three statewide) funded through the VWGP. Projects focused on the delivery of services required under Virginia’s Crime Victim and Witness Rights Act (Title 19.2, Chapter 1.1 of the Code of Virginia). Services provided by these programs include explaining to crime victims their rights; assisting victims in obtaining protective orders; helping victims apply for compensation; explaining the criminal justice process; accompanying victims to court; assisting victims in preparing victim impact statements; and providing crisis intervention and other services.

Beginning with the federal Appropriations Act of 2015, each state’s federal VOCA victim assistance funding allocation was significantly increased, with Virginia’s allocation increasing more than four-fold. The availability of increased VOCA funding allowed DCJS to address long-unmet needs within local programs, especially the need to increase staffing levels and to initiate programs in unserved areas; however, federal VOCA funding is now precipitously declining and will directly impact grant awards to Victim Witness Assistance Programs. In addition, deposits into the Virginia Crime Victim-Witness Fund (state special fund) have been declining, and the fund’s balance is very low.