Mental health treatment for crime victims is an area of specialization within the mental health field, and must be problem/crime specific.  It requires particular training and clinical experience. The Crime Victim Compensation Board of the 18th Judicial District is committed to ensuring that treatment of crime victims is provided by professionals trained and actively practicing in the area of trauma and victimization-related disorders.

General Information

Crime Victim Compensation funds are limited, and may only be used to help crime victims initiate their recovery from the trauma of the crime.  Financial constraints coupled with a significant demand for victim services prevent the fund from being able to provide assistance throughout the entire recovery process.

The Crime Victim Compensation Board must work within the parameters of state law, policy limits, and fiscal constraints, while giving priority to the best interests of the victims. To that end, the Crime Victim Compensation Board sets policies and procedures, and demands certain qualifications of service providers who expect to be paid with Crime Victim Compensation funds, to ensure that the most effective help is given to victims of crime.

The mental health service provider must be a licensed therapist, or supervised directly by a licensed therapist.  The service provider should be familiar with crime victim issues and be knowledgeable in the practice of crime/problem specific therapy.