Public Policy
COVA strives to raise the understanding of victim issues within the consciousness of policy makers and the general public to a level where all crime victims are viewed with honor and respect and their rights are recognized as an essential element of the criminal justice process. To further these goals, COVA addresses public policy issues both inside and outside the legislative arena. COVA monitors proposed bills and advocates on issues relevant to crime victims and those who serve them on a daily basis. Legislative advocacy involves coalition-building with other victim advocacy groups; assisting members in identifying and implementing ways to educate their communities; and raising legislators’ awareness and knowledge of crime victim issues. COVA also monitors federal initiatives and issues that affect victims’ rights.
View our Public Policy Updates webinar from December 2017.
View our Public Policy Updates webinar from December 2017.
Legislative Victims' Rights Caucus
COVA is proud to announce the 8th year of the Colorado Crime Victims' Rights Caucus. This caucus hopes to serve as the General Assembly's subject matter experts in ensuring that the rights of crime victims are appropriately balanced in the consideration of criminal justice policy.
2019 Victims' Rights Caucus Sponsors:
2020 Caucus Meetings:
Thursday, February 13, Noon – 1PM
Colorado State Capitol, Senate Committee Room 354
Recording: https://transcripts.gotomeeting.com/#/s/640719522af1105eba3a07335c22bd1a58ad8c0092eaf9c9c2b1e79b63993184
Topic: High-Risk Victim Offender Dialogue & the Colorado Restorative Justice Council
Join practitioners and members of the Colorado Restorative Justice Council for a discussion focused on High-Risk Victim Offender Dialogue (HR-VOD), a facilitated process which occurs between victims, survivors, or family survivors of serious violent crime and the offender in their case. The overall goal of this process is to provide victims and survivors the opportunity to tell their story, express the impacts of the crime on their lives, and hear the offender take direct accountability for the harm caused. We will also talk about the work of the Restorative Justice Council in Colorado.
Speakers: Nancy Lewis - COVA’s Executive Director; Mary McGhee- Victim Offender Dialogue Community Outreach Coordinator; and members of the Colorado Restorative Justice Council.
Colorado State Capitol, Senate Committee Room 354
Recording: https://transcripts.gotomeeting.com/#/s/640719522af1105eba3a07335c22bd1a58ad8c0092eaf9c9c2b1e79b63993184
Topic: High-Risk Victim Offender Dialogue & the Colorado Restorative Justice Council
Join practitioners and members of the Colorado Restorative Justice Council for a discussion focused on High-Risk Victim Offender Dialogue (HR-VOD), a facilitated process which occurs between victims, survivors, or family survivors of serious violent crime and the offender in their case. The overall goal of this process is to provide victims and survivors the opportunity to tell their story, express the impacts of the crime on their lives, and hear the offender take direct accountability for the harm caused. We will also talk about the work of the Restorative Justice Council in Colorado.
Speakers: Nancy Lewis - COVA’s Executive Director; Mary McGhee- Victim Offender Dialogue Community Outreach Coordinator; and members of the Colorado Restorative Justice Council.
Tues., January 21, Noon – 1PM
Colorado State Capitol, Senate Committee Room 354
Recording: https://transcripts.gotomeeting.com/#/s/56bb167019ce7a991a143af5bec67380b2b163b18b7fad1a1d27b68595f7bdec
Topic: Next Steps: What Does the Data Tell Us?
This presentation will provide an overview of data related to felony filings and prison admissions. As we work to enhance public safety, serve victims, and improve the criminal justice system, the data is an important element to consider.
Speaker: Michael Dougherty, Boulder District Attorney and COVA Board Member
Colorado State Capitol, Senate Committee Room 354
Recording: https://transcripts.gotomeeting.com/#/s/56bb167019ce7a991a143af5bec67380b2b163b18b7fad1a1d27b68595f7bdec
Topic: Next Steps: What Does the Data Tell Us?
This presentation will provide an overview of data related to felony filings and prison admissions. As we work to enhance public safety, serve victims, and improve the criminal justice system, the data is an important element to consider.
Speaker: Michael Dougherty, Boulder District Attorney and COVA Board Member
Legislator Attendance:
Contact your representative and encourage them to attend in person or via our new live streaming option!
Thank you to all of the senators, representatives and aides who attended the Crime Victim's Rights Caucus!
Thank you to all of the senators, representatives and aides who attended the Crime Victim's Rights Caucus!
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Highlighted Bill: H.R. 818
Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX) and Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA) are sponsoring bill HR 818 which creates a “lockbox” to ensure that money in the Crime Victims Fund cannot be used for anything other than victims’ programs authorized under the law of the VOCA statute in 1984. Contact your US House Representative to ask them to support the bill.
Bill Summary
In 1984, President Ronald Reagan signed the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). Because of this law, convicted felons in Federal courts are assessed fines and must pay into the Crime Victims Fund. That money is used for victim services and helps pay for injuries, medical expenses, etc. As of today, the fund holds approximately $12 billion—this is not taxpayer funded money. The federal government regularly withdraws money from the fund to directly offset costs of unrelated government projects. H.R. 818 ensures VOCA funds can only be used for their original intent: helping victims of crime. Click here to read the bill.
COVA's Stance
What happens in Congress often feels very removed from our daily lives, but this issue is particularly important for those who care about the well-being of victims of crime. Over the years and over several administrations, there have been a number of attempts to permanently divert the money in the crime victims’ fund for unrelated expenses. In the words of bill sponsor Rep. Ted Poe, "This money does not belong to the Federal Government. It is not taxpayer money. It is money that belongs to victims." Only a fraction of that money is spent each year for victims, depriving them of needed services. H.R. 818 creates a ‘‘lockbox’’ to ensure that money in the fund cannot be used for anything other than victims’ programs authorized under the law of the VOCA statute in 1984.
Action
If you agree with COVA's stance, contact your U.S. House Representative and ask them to support HR 818.
Bill Summary
In 1984, President Ronald Reagan signed the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). Because of this law, convicted felons in Federal courts are assessed fines and must pay into the Crime Victims Fund. That money is used for victim services and helps pay for injuries, medical expenses, etc. As of today, the fund holds approximately $12 billion—this is not taxpayer funded money. The federal government regularly withdraws money from the fund to directly offset costs of unrelated government projects. H.R. 818 ensures VOCA funds can only be used for their original intent: helping victims of crime. Click here to read the bill.
COVA's Stance
What happens in Congress often feels very removed from our daily lives, but this issue is particularly important for those who care about the well-being of victims of crime. Over the years and over several administrations, there have been a number of attempts to permanently divert the money in the crime victims’ fund for unrelated expenses. In the words of bill sponsor Rep. Ted Poe, "This money does not belong to the Federal Government. It is not taxpayer money. It is money that belongs to victims." Only a fraction of that money is spent each year for victims, depriving them of needed services. H.R. 818 creates a ‘‘lockbox’’ to ensure that money in the fund cannot be used for anything other than victims’ programs authorized under the law of the VOCA statute in 1984.
Action
If you agree with COVA's stance, contact your U.S. House Representative and ask them to support HR 818.
CCJJ Meetings: Getting Involved
COVA highly encourages that people who are interested in protecting the rights of crime victims in Colorado attend meetings of the Colorado Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice (CCJJ) and related subcommittees and workgroups. CCJJ provides the legislature with policy recommendations on sentencing, alternatives to incarceration and many other issues related to the criminal justice system. It is crucial that the voices of crime victims are not lost in this process. Please note that while CCJJ meetings are open to the public, public comment is not always allowed.
Click here for a link to the CCJJ master calendar with all committee and subgroup meeting dates.
Click here for a link to the CCJJ master calendar with all committee and subgroup meeting dates.
COVA's Public Policy Toolkit for Legislative Advocacy:
COVA's Public Policy Committee has put together a Public Policy Toolkit for Legislative Advocacy to assist in improving legislative advocacy for crime victims. This toolkit provides a step-by-step process on how you can get involved and several options on how to do so. It is vital that we all work together to reach out to our legislators to raise awareness on the impact that certain bills may have on crime victims. Please check out the Public Policy Toolkit below!
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Contact COVA's Public Policy Committee: If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions please contact Sterling Harris at the following e-mail:
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