Rising violent crime has created a critical financial need for victims and their families.

SC Attorney General Alan Wilson has joined a coalition of attorneys general to urge Congress to adopt key changes to the Crime Victims Fund that supports victims’ services.

“Victims of crimes and their families have already gone through terrible ordeals, and these grants are crucial in helping them rebuild their lives,” Wilson said. “They’re not paid for with tax dollars, but the money comes from the criminals themselves.

“Our letter also supports funding increases for direct compensation to crime victims.”

The fund covers expenses of essential direct services and support for victims and survivors including medical care, mental health counseling, lost wages, courtroom advocacy and temporary housing.

The coalition makes 3 recommendations:

• Redirect fines and fees from corporate deferred and non-prosecution agreements to the fund. The AGs ask Congress to redirect about $8 billion each year to the fund.

• Increase the rate of federal reimbursement to state for victim compensation programs. The letter recommends Congress reimburse state programs 75%, up from the current 66%.

• Extend the amount of time VOCA funds can be spent. VOCA requires recipients to spend grants within a 4-year period. The coalition asks Congress to extend the period of funding so that state and local organizations can better plan and predict funding for long-term services.