Bill Overview
Title: To amend the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 to provide that recipients of crime victim assistance grants shall prioritize programs that provide assistance to victims of firearm violence or the family members of victims of homicide, and for other purposes.
Description: This bill requires states to prioritize additional groups (i.e., victims of firearm violence or the family members of victims of homicide) for state victim assistance formula grants.
Sponsors: Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16]
Target Audience
Population: Victims of firearm violence or the family members of victims of homicide
Estimated Size: 300000
- The bill impacts victims of firearm violence, who are directly affected by firearm injuries.
- Family members of homicide victims, dealing with the aftermath of a family member's death, are also targeted by this bill.
- The scope of this bill is limited to victims and families impacted by firearm-related incidents, not all crime victims.
- Global estimates can consider data on worldwide firearm-related incidents and homicides.
Reasoning
- The budget constraints, especially in Year 1 ($75,000,000), mean that only a portion of the estimated 300,000 individuals impacted annually can receive assistance. This number represents a significant challenge in reaching everyone who could benefit from these grants.
- The target population consists of both direct victims of firearm violence and family members who survived victims of homicide, creating a dual-layer of impact in terms of mental health, financial needs, and long-term wellbeing impacts.
- Estimating self-reported wellbeing involves considering both the direct physical impact and the psychological trauma endured by both victims and family members. The effectiveness of the policy in improving wellbeing scores will largely depend on how well it can allocate resources to provide meaningful assistance to the recipients.
- Given the long-term nature of the policy's funding, we should expect gradual improvements in wellbeing scores over time as more people are reached and potentially as more comprehensive support systems are developed using the grant funding.
- A variety of factors such as geography, state of residence, existing state-level support, and demographics of affected individuals will influence the policy's effectiveness, highlighting the need for a balanced distribution of funds and services.
Simulated Interviews
Nurse (Chicago, IL)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The loss of my son has left a permanent void, but having more support could help my family heal.
- Victim assistance could provide mental health resources that we need but can't afford.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Retail worker (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 2
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to therapy would help me move past this traumatic experience.
- Financial support could ease the burden since I'm unable to work full-time.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 3 | 2 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 2 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired (New York, NY)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The emotional toll of losing my daughter is immense, and any help would be appreciated.
- Programs that can help us with counseling or community support would be very beneficial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Teacher (Houston, TX)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope the policy can help with ongoing medical costs and therapy sessions.
- The process should be easy for victims to access the help they need without additional stress.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
College student (Miami, FL)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any assistance might help me stay in school and manage my mental health better.
- Programs need to be well-advertised so we know about them and how to access help.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Construction Worker (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy should help families like mine who struggle financially after losing a breadwinner.
- I hope it includes training programs that can help me get a higher paying job.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Artist (Seattle, WA)
Age: 40 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Ensuring access to mental health resources is essential for my partner's recovery.
- Policies like this need to be inclusive and cover different types of victim experiences.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Retired police officer (Boston, MA)
Age: 63 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see firsthand the struggles families face after such tragedies, support is desperately needed.
- This policy could help bridge the gap in resources available to grieving families.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Recruiter (Detroit, MI)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We need more than just monetary help, comprehensive support systems are essential.
- I hope this policy also addresses preventative measures to reduce gun violence.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Community Organizer (New Orleans, LA)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The grief is overwhelming, and any support that connects us with others or resources would help so much.
- Policymakers need to understand the long-term effects of gun violence on family members.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $75000000 (Low: $60000000, High: $90000000)
Year 2: $76000000 (Low: $61000000, High: $91000000)
Year 3: $77000000 (Low: $62000000, High: $92000000)
Year 5: $79000000 (Low: $64000000, High: $94000000)
Year 10: $82000000 (Low: $67000000, High: $97000000)
Year 100: $100000000 (Low: $80000000, High: $120000000)
Key Considerations
- An increase in demand for services to prioritized groups may require additional funding beyond the scope of current grants.
- Potential changes in the impact and reach of state victim assistance programs depending on implementation success.
- CBO projects the administrative adjustments could require states to modify their grant procedures and performance oversight systems.