To promote and protect crime victims’ rights through education, advocacy, and enforcement.
Crime Victims First (CV1) is a nonprofit crime victims’ rights education, advocacy, and enforcement organization. CV1 is the first Crime Victims’ Rights Resource Center and Legal Clinic in Texas. Most of us don’t think about becoming a crime victim or dealing with the justice system. In fact, crime victims often don’t know what to do after an incident, rarely report it or seek help. Those that do report and seek assistance often lack awareness and understanding about their rights.
Crime Victims First (CV1) is working hard to increase awareness about crime victims’ rights, services, and programs to ensure that crime victims are informed of their rights, afforded their rights, and have access to support and assistance to prevent rights violations. CV1 offers education services, victim services, and legal services to anyone affected by criminal victimization. CV1 uses our website to provide information, resources, and services.
In June 1999, Crime Victims First (CV1) was created. In 2007, CV1 incorporated as a nonprofit after years of research and development. In 2009, CV1 emerged into a Crime Victims’ Rights Resource Center with the first enforcement program in Texas. In 2010, CV1 created our annual Jam for Justice Outreach Concert. In 2011, CV1 participated in Vision 21, attended the National Crime Victims’ Law Institute’s 10th Annual Conference, and joined the National Alliance of Victims’ Rights Attorneys. CV1 also launched the Step Up Now! Campaign to increase awareness about crime victims’ rights and enforcement. CV1 with the support of the Stewart Law Firm and the University of Texas Law School is also proud to launch the first Crime Victims’ Rights Legal Clinic in Texas. CV1 will now offer Pro Bono Legal Services for Crime Victims’ Rights Enforcement. In 2012, CV1 created Healing Thrifts & Threads Fundraisers. Most importantly, CV1 is reaching more crime victims and experiencing increasing demands for services. As CV1 moves forward, the organization will continue to rely on volunteers and your support to meet challenges and achieve our mission.
“CV1 will continue to learn, grow, and change. However, our dedication and commitment to make crime victims’ rights Meaningful and less Symbolic will not waiver!” – Jim Currier, Founder
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VSTEP, Inc. (d/b/a) Crime Victims First was incorporated in 2007 and is tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Our tax ID (EIN) is 26-0341612. Crime Victims First (CV1) is a small volunteer nonprofit with a small operating budget. CV1 has no paid staff at the moment. For 2011, CV1 is only required to file 990 short form. For more information about CV1 financials, please contact us directly at info@crimevictimsfirst.org.
Crime Victims First does not accept state government grants at this time for a number of reasons. In 2011, CV1 relied entirely on private donations, foundation grants, campaigns, events, fundraisers, and in-kind donations to support our mission. In 2011, CV1 also spent almost 100% of its total expenses on outreach, education, programs, and services. All contributions are tax-deductible, so please consider making a donation now.
All states have some statutory crime victims’ rights and a majority implemented constitutional crime victims’ rights to further strengthen legal protections for victims/survivors of crime. These rights are often Symbolic and Illusory. However, this is starting to change because crime victims want these rights to be more Meaningful. The crime victims’ rights enforcement movement is making it happen! Crime Victims First is educating, advocating, and enforcing crime victims’ rights to fulfill the promises made including treating crime victims with dignity, respect, and fairness.
In 2010, there were an estimated 18 million reports of crime nationwide and over 1 million in Texas! Most of us do not think about becoming a crime victim, but it can be random and often is unanticipated. Based on these statistics, crime may be down, but it isn’t going away. Crime Clock 2010
1. The majority of crime victims DO NOT report crimes. Research shows that approximately 50% of violent crimes and 40% of property crimes are reported nationwide. This statistic has remained stable for at least 10 years. In Texas, around 20% of sexual assaults are reported. Those that do not report often are not eligible for crime victims’ rights and often get no support and assistance. CV1 believes anyone affected by criminal victimization should have access to information, services, and programs to make informed decisions about the future and more should be done to address the needs of those “hidden victims.”
2. To be eligible for crime victims’ rights you must be a violent crime victim, report your crime, cooperate, be notified of your rights, and request your rights. Research shows that only 9% of violent crime victims who report the crime actually seek help from victim services programs. CV1 believes all crime victims should have rights and legal protections and more should be done to reach those under-served populations.
3. For those crime victims that are eligible for crime victims’ rights and who feel their rights are being violated there are limited remedies or programs to provide support and assistance. CV1 believes that crime victims’ rights enforcement services, programs, and remedies must be available for those that need them and to increase accountability.
4. Although crime victims’ rights mandate the provision of services, they do not mandate the procedural mechanisms to ensure rights are afforded and rights violations are prevented. CV1 believes that there is too much discretion and misinterpretation of existing crime victims’ rights legal protections, and legislation may be required to clarify existing enforcement language, minimize issues of discretion/interpretation, and increase training and funding opportunities to achieve compliance.
5. To date, a large number of victim assistance agencies are funded by the government and this prevents them for engaging in some enforcement activities. A significant aspect of crime victims’ rights enforcement is increasing accountability of government entities to crime victims. Althought most complaints can be resolved voluntarily, some mandatory action steps might be necessary (i.e. legal services). CV1 has decided to forgo state government funding at this time for these reasons. CV1 is the only agency that can truly speak to and advocate for the full range of enforcement strategies on behalf of crime victims in Texas.
6. Overall, there is a general lack of awareness and understanding about crime victims’ rights, services, and programs. There is also limited accountability. This is the top priority for Crime Victims First and the major focus of our Step Up Now! Learn Your Rights Campaign
Although most crime victims’ rights laws only pertain to victims of violent crime, who report their crime, cooperate with the justice system, receive notification of rights, and seek help; Crime Victims First provides services and programs to anyone affected by criminal victimization. This includes violent crime victims/survivors, property crime victims, those that Do Not report their crimes, family and friends, and concerned citizens.
CV1 provides support and assistance, and receives and attempts to resolve all types of complaints ranging from “process” complaints (i.e. the investigator is not looking into my case or I keep calling and no one calls me back) to “rights violations” complaints (i.e. I want to make a victim impact statement, but I was denied). Research shows the majority of complaints can be resolved with educational and victim services, and some require legal services to achieve compliance.
