Back to PUERTO RICO
VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT VICTIM ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM 2002 PUERTO RICO STATE WIDE ASSISTANCE REPORT Prepared By: Puerto Rico Department of Justice PO Box 9020192 San Juan, PR 00902-0192 tel: (787)725-0335
STATE FUNDING INFORMATION
A. THE ANNUAL AMOUNT ALLOCATED TO THE VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROJECTS: 1. Appropriations $ 0 2. Criminal Fines and Penalities $ 0 3. Assessments $ 0 4. Other $ 0 TOTAL:$ 0
B. TOTAL NUMBER OF AGENCIES FUNDED FROM THE FEDERAL GRANT: 59
C. NUMBER OF SUBGRANTS FUNDED FROM THIS FEDERAL GRANT: 62
VICTIM STATISTICS
A. THE NUMBER OF VICTIMS SERVED BY TYPE OF VICTIMIZATION:
NO. OF NO. OF VICTIMS SERVED VICTIMS SERVED 1,133 1. Child Physical Abuse 365 7. Adults Molested as Children 2,216 2. Child Sexual Abuse 297 8. Survivors of Homicide Victims 59 3. DUI/DWI Crashes 123 9. Robbery 13,226 4. Domestic Violence 208 10. Assualt 421 5. Adult Sexual Assault 1,973 11. Other 418 6. Elder Abuse TOTAL: 20,439
B. THE NUMBER OF VICTIMS WHO RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING SERVICES:
NO. OF VICTIMS SERVED 6,116 1. Crisis Counseling 21,373 2. Followup 8,236 3. Therapy 2,808 4. Group Treatment/Support 2,880 5. Shelter/Safehouse 6,103 6. Information/Referral (in-person) 10,526 7. Criminal Justice Support/Advocacy 373 8. Emergency Financial Assistance 717 9. Emergency Legal Advocacy 540 10. Assistance in filing Compensation Claims 1,930 11. Personal Advocacy 13,364 12. Telephone contact Informational/Referral 15,358 13. Other TOTAL: 90,324
A. EFFORTS TO PROMOTE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE AID TO CRIME VICTIMS: Our efforts have included, among others, the improvement and expansion of the services, which are offered, and are available to the victims, by the Victims Assistance Grant Program. The Justice Department through the Federal Funds Division, has funded 62 sub-grantees. Among these sub-grantees are private non-profit community based programs and public agencies programs. As a Grantee, we encouraged sub-grantees to maintain coordination between public and private organizations so the services provided may be of the best quality.
B. EFFORTS TAKEN TO SERVE FEDERAL CRIME VICTIMS: Among the efforts taken to serve federal crime victims, the Puerto Rico Department of Justice Victims Assistance Program (sub-grantee) has handled victim referrals for services from the Federal District Attorney's Crime Victims Assistance Office. The Federal Victims of Crime Assistance Office Director, Mr. Osvaldo Rios Walker, is always in contact with this Office and is invited to participate in our activities.
C. ACTIVITIES TO IMPROVE THE DELIVERY OF VICTIM SERVICES: We have provided, throughout the year, constant monitoring and evaluation of the services offered by the sub-grantees. This monitoring process includes the three phases of our monitoring guides, which covers the administrative, fiscal programmatic aspects the sub-recipient projects that receive federal funds. Among the many seminars, orientations and workshops our sub-grantees have attended to improve the services to crime victims are: * Psychological Trauma of Crime Victimization * Crisis Reaction * Domestic Violence Workshop * Comprehensive Intervention with Children in Dangerous Situations * Interdisciplinary Coordination *Date Rape * Sexual Assault Forensic Seminar * The 7th National Conference of Family Violence * Stop VAWA Law and the immigrant women * Crisis Intervention * National Victims Assistance Academy in California (1 person) These activities were funded through VOCA approved training funds, state and or private organizations funds.
D. WAYS VOCA FUNDS HAVE BEEN USED TO ASSIST CRIME VICTIMS: Case History Assault victim and services received Case History of Domestic Violence victim and services received (10) Case History Sexual Assault victims and services received Case History Child Abuse victims and services received (3) Case History Homicide survivor victims and services received (4) Case History Prosecutor based services to a victim. (2) Thanks yous for services (9) Evaluation forms (2) Pictures of the Memorial Garden Ceremony in remembrance and peace Pictures of Crime Victims Rights week April 21-27, 2002.
E. ISSUES OR TRENDS IMPACTING CRIME VICTIM SERVICES: The amendment of the Traffic Law #22 (January 2002) allows police personnel to take into custody a drunk or intoxicated driver who refuses to submit to an alcohol or drug detection test. This procedure protects the victims of this driver because they will have the proof that a trial in court needs to make the drunk or intoxicated driver, accountable of his crime. The new provisions gave to OVC by the USA Patriot Act. The Domestic Antiterrorism Strategy that obligates to establish a detailed plan to respond to the possible victims of a domestic terrorist attack. Hopefully VOCA funds and other will be available in the time of need.
F. USE OF VOCA ADMINISTRATIVE FUNDS: Puerto Rico has used VOCA administrative fands to pay the personnel assigned to monitoring the administrative, fiscal and programmatic aspects of its sub-grantees. These funds were also used to buy equipment and materials, as well as for travel and training expenses for the personnel assigned to monitoring. In addition, VOCA Administrative funds, combined with state funds, were used to celebrate the statewide Crime Victim's Rights Week. This activity took place from April 22 though April 27, 2002. The purposed of this activity was to create awareness about the rights of crime victims and the free services available to them, which hope to provide the help, they need so that may cope with the impact of their victimization.