Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

Office of the Attorney General (Department of Legal Affairs)

Victim Services

What is the purpose of the program?

The Division of Victim Services serves as an advocate for crime victims and administers a compensation program to ensure financial assistance for innocent victims of crime. The division is composed of three bureaus.

What services are available to crime victims?

The Florida Constitution states that victims of crime shall have specific rights related to the criminal proceedings for the case for which they have been identified as the victim, including the rights to 

  • notification of all public proceedings related to their crime, including post-conviction procedures;
  • be heard at pubic proceedings for pretrial release, plea, sentencing, or other adjudicatory proceedings;
  • confer with prosecutors concerning case outcomes;
  • make victim impact statements; be provided copies of presentencing reports;
  • receive notification of release or escape of an offender from custody;
  • receive notification of clemency or expungement procedures, prompt return of property no longer needed as evidence;
  • timely restitution payments; and
  • proceedings free from unreasonable delay and to the prompt final conclusion of the cases and any related to postjudgement proceedings.

Injured crime victims may also be eligible for financial assistance for medical care, lost income, mental health services, funeral expenses, and other out-of-pocket expenses directly related to the injury or victimization. An Application for Victim Compensation Form  can be obtained online.

The Bureau of Victim Compensation also maintains a Victim Services Directory of service providers by judicial circuit.

What is the Crimes Compensation Trust Fund?

The Crimes Compensation Trust Fund is used to pay for victim compensation claims and to support the operation of the Division of Victim Services. Funding is derived from moneys recovered on behalf of the Office of the Attorney General by subrogation or other action, recovered through court ordered restitution and additional court costs, received from the Federal Government, received from fines, or received from other public or private sources.

What does the Bureau of Advocacy and Grants Management do?

The Bureau of Advocacy and Grants Management provides regional victim advocacy and appellate notification to victims of crime, provides crisis response training and coordination, and administers the address confidentiality program and federal Victims of Crime Act assistance grants.

What additional services are provided by the program?

The Bureau of Criminal Justice Programs provides statewide public education and training programs for law enforcement personnel, school resource officers, victim advocates, and other interested persons on crime prevention initiatives, school-based officer programs, victim advocacy, and related criminal justice areas. This is done primarily through the Florida Crime Prevention Training Institute.

The Bureau of Criminal Justice Programs also administers the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys. The mission of the Council is to research and propose measures that improve conditions affecting black men and boys. The council's annual report is available on its website.

How is the program performing?

The Division of Victim Services provides an annual report of activities on their website as required by s. 960.045(1)(c), Florida Statutes. According to the department, during Fiscal Year 2021-22, the office received 14,856 claims, which is 16% less than the previous year. The average processing time from receipt of a claim through initial payment totaled 33.75 days, which is 26% longer than the previous year. According to the department, the increase in processing time with fewer claims was due to staff vacancies and more complex claims. The awards to claimants in Fiscal Year 2021-22 totaled approximately $16 million.

How are these activities funded?

Fiscal Year: 2023-24
Fund Salary Rate/ Position General Revenue Trust Funds
SALARY RATE
POSITIONS
SALARIES AND BENEFITS
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND
FROM CRIMES COMPENSATION TRUST FUND
FROM CRIME STOPPERS TRUST FUND
FROM FEDERAL GRANTS TRUST FUND
FROM FLORIDA CRIME PREVENTION TRAINING INSTITUTE REVOLVING TRUST FUND
OTHER PERSONAL SERVICES
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND
FROM CRIMES COMPENSATION TRUST FUND
FROM CRIME STOPPERS TRUST FUND
FROM FLORIDA CRIME PREVENTION TRAINING INSTITUTE REVOLVING TRUST FUND
EXPENSES
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND
FROM CRIMES COMPENSATION TRUST FUND
FROM CRIME STOPPERS TRUST FUND
FROM FEDERAL GRANTS TRUST FUND
FROM FLORIDA CRIME PREVENTION TRAINING INSTITUTE REVOLVING TRUST FUND
OPERATING CAPITAL OUTLAY
FROM CRIMES COMPENSATION TRUST FUND
FROM CRIME STOPPERS TRUST FUND
FROM FEDERAL GRANTS TRUST FUND
FROM FLORIDA CRIME PREVENTION TRAINING INSTITUTE REVOLVING TRUST FUND
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
AWARDS TO CLAIMANTS
FROM CRIMES COMPENSATION TRUST FUND
FROM FEDERAL GRANTS TRUST FUND
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
VICTIM SERVICES
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
GRANTS AND AIDS - CHILD ADVOCACY CENTERS
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
CONTRACTED SERVICES
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND
FROM CRIMES COMPENSATION TRUST FUND
FROM CRIME STOPPERS TRUST FUND
FROM FEDERAL GRANTS TRUST FUND
FROM FLORIDA CRIME PREVENTION TRAINING INSTITUTE REVOLVING TRUST FUND
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
GRANTS AND AIDS - SPECIAL PROJECTS
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
GRANTS AND AIDS - MINORITY COMMUNITIES CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAMS
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
GRANTS AND AIDS - CRIME STOPPERS
FROM CRIME STOPPERS TRUST FUND
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
GRANTS AND AIDS - JUSTICE COALITION
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
RISK MANAGEMENT INSURANCE
FROM CRIMES COMPENSATION TRUST FUND
FROM CRIME STOPPERS TRUST FUND
FROM FLORIDA CRIME PREVENTION TRAINING INSTITUTE REVOLVING TRUST FUND
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
GRANTS AND AIDS - VICTIM ASSISTANCE SERVICES
FROM FEDERAL GRANTS TRUST FUND
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
TRANSFER TO DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT SERVICES - HUMAN RESOURCES SERVICES PURCHASED PER STATEWIDE CONTRACT
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND
FROM CRIMES COMPENSATION TRUST FUND
FROM CRIME STOPPERS TRUST FUND
FROM FLORIDA CRIME PREVENTION TRAINING INSTITUTE REVOLVING TRUST FUND
GRANTS AND AIDS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND NONSTATE ENTITIES - FIXED CAPITAL OUTLAY
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND
TOTAL
22,048,699
186,107,442

Where can I find related OPPAGA reports?

A complete list of related OPPAGA reports is available on our website.

Where can I get more information?

Other Reports
Division of Victim Services and Criminal Justice Programs Annual Report, Office of the Attorney General
Florida Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys Annual Report, Office of the Attorney General
The Auditor General reports on department operations are available on its website

Websites of Interest
U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime (Florida Resources)
The National Center for Victims of Crime
National Association of Crime Victim Compensation Boards

Performance Information


Performance measures and standards for the department may be found in its Long Range Program Plan.

What are the applicable statutes?

Article I, Section 16, Constitution of the State of Florida, and Ch. 960 and ss. 402.181, 938.03, 938.04, Florida Statutes

Whom do I contact for help?

Office of Attorney General, 850-414-3300, 850-414-3990 (Citizens Services), or 1-800-226-6667 (Victim Information and Referral Line)
Website