Victim of Crime Act – Victim Advocacy Program

Victim of Crime Act – Victim Advocacy Program

The Victim of Crime Act (VOCA) Program is administered by the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) through the New Mexico Crime Victim Reparation Commission (NM-CVRC). The purpose of this program is to advance work that promotes civil rights, increases access to justice, supports crime victims, protects the public from crime and evolving threats, and builds trust between law enforcement and the community.

In the State of New Mexico, the New Mexico Department of Public Safety (NMDPS), through the New Mexico State Police (NMSP) has implemented a crime victim assistance program. This program is designed to protect the citizens of New Mexico from the impact of crime and to promote a stronger criminal justice system through the encouragement of all citizens to cooperate with law enforcement efforts. Using victim advocates, who are strategically placed throughout the state, this program provides referral services to partnering agencies that respond to the emotional and physical needs of crime victims. These services assist victims of crime in the stabilization of their lives after victimization as well as assist victims in the understanding and navigation of the criminal justice system. These strategies in turn provide victims of crime with a measure of safety and security, aiding in their recovery.