CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA
                  CITY COUNCIL AGENDA



  Agenda Date:        November 7, 2022

  Action Required:    Resolution Approval

  Presenter:          Pat O'Donnell

  Staff Contacts:     Pat O'Donnell
                      Krisy Hammill, Director of Budget

  Title:              Appropriating funds from the Victim Witness Assistance Program Grant -
                      $257,024 (1 of 2 readings)


Background
The City of Charlottesville, through the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, has received the Victim
Witness Program Grant from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services in the amount of
$156,817 in Federal Funds and $67,207 in State Special Funds, and $33,000 supplement from the
Commonwealth Attorney’s operating budget for a total award of $257,024.

Discussion
The victim’s rights movement began in the 1970s as a result of victims being re-victimized by the
criminal justice process. Victims had difficulty navigating the complexities of the criminal justice
system and no voice or recourse when their cases were continued or pled out without their
knowledge or consent. Prosecutors did not have the time or skills to respond to victims who were
traumatized but knew that to proceed with their case, many victims would need more services than
the prosecutor’s office could provide. In response to this need, the federal Victims of Crime Act was
passed in 1984 and funds became available through the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice to
respond to the needs of victims. The Charlottesville Victim/Witness Assistance Program was
established in 1989 and has been meeting the needs of Charlottesville crime victims ever since. The
Program is one of more than 60 such programs in the state that provides crisis intervention and
advocacy, information, and support during and after criminal justice proceedings, access to
compensation and restitution, referrals to local community agencies and ensures victims are afforded
their rights as outlined in Virginia’s Crime Victim and Witness Rights Act. The Program also provides
training on victim issues to law enforcement and allied agencies. It regularly serves more than 1,000
victims and 20 witnesses each year.

Alignment with City Council's Vision and Strategic Plan
Approval of this agenda item aligns directly with Council’s vision for Charlottesville to be America’s
Healthiest City, a Community of Mutual Respect and a Smart, Citizen-Focused
Government. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the total economic loss to crime victims
was $1.19 billion for violent offenses and $16.2 billion for property crime in 2008. Statistics vary on
the number of intangible losses victims accumulate, such as the effects of the crime on their sense of
security, mental health, and relationships. The Charlottesville Victim Witness Assistance Program
contributes to the health of the community by connecting crime victims with medical and mental
health providers through the Criminal Injury Compensation Fund. The Program helps create a
Community of Mutual Respect by responding to the needs of crime victims and helps achieve a
Smart, Citizen-Focused Government by ensuring their rights are recognized throughout the local
criminal justice system, including Police, Prosecution, Judges, and Probation.

Community Engagement
The Victim Witness Assistance Program is engaged daily with victims of crime who access services
through referrals from police, court services, social services, and other allied agencies. Program
staff contacts crime victims within 48 hours of their reported victimization. For FY22 Program staff
provided services to approximately 1100 individuals. Staff members serve on several coordinating
councils, such as the Multi-Disciplinary Team on Child Abuse, the Domestic Violence Coordinating
Council, the Sexual Assault Response Team, the Monticello Area Domestic Violence Fatality Review
Team, the Charlottesville/Albemarle Human Trafficking Task Force, and the Charlottesville/Albemarle
Evidence Based Decision Making Policy Team. The program regularly provides outreach in the
forms of government services day, training and speaking engagements at UVA, PVCC, and other
allied agencies as requested.

Budgetary Impact
There is no impact to the General Fund. The City’s match of $33,000 was previously appropriated as
part of the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office FY2023 Adopted Budget. The Victim Witness
Assistance Program Grant is renewed annually, and the funds will be received and expensed in the
grants fund.

Recommendation
Staff recommends approval and appropriation of grant funds.

Alternatives
If grant funds are not appropriated, Charlottesville crime victims will have no access to
compensation, advocacy or services afforded to them under Virginia’s Crime Victim and Witness
Rights Act.

Attachments
1.   RESOLUTION victim witness GRANT appropriation 2022