UAlbany Center Helps Create Better Tools to Compensate NY Crime Victims

ALBANY, N.Y. (Oct. 19, 2021) — New York State offers compensation for victims of crime, but many of those eligible don’t apply for it. With the help of a UAlbany research center, two more user-friendly tools were recently launched to aid these victims.

The Victim Compensation Online Claim Application Guide and the Victim Compensation Claim Navigator, both located on the NY Crime Victims Legal Help website, were created through the combined talents of the Empire Justice Center, Pro Bono Net and the University’s Center for Human Services Research (CHSR) — which together make up the New York Crime Victims Legal Network (CVLN).

The two new tools ease the process of filing compensation claims for eligible crime victims. Previously, many victims had difficulties determining which claim they should file. Now, said Laura Dwyer of the Empire Justice Center, “by answering a few questions, users of the Navigator will receive personalized information about their eligibility, the type of claim they can apply for, and resources for help with their claim application.”

While the Navigator helps victims determine their eligibility and what claim they should file, the Guide aids in the application process.

CHSR’s role began at the very beginning of the development of the two tools in 2020, said Susan Dietzel, a senior research scientist at the center. “We spoke with a number of victim service providers funded by the NYS Office of Victim Services (OVS) about the process of applying for compensation and how a tool could facilitate this process. We conducted interviews and focus groups to solicit provider feedback, as well.”

Through these studies, CHSR found out about challenges faced by both victims and providers, helpful tips for applicants that providers have learned, and ways the tools can assist applicants, including via content and language.

Based on CHSR’s findings, Pro Bono Net and Empire Justice Center developed the tools that are now helping victims quickly determine if they are eligible for compensation and what type of claim they can make.

Applications are ultimately made through the OVS online portal. The total number of claims accepted by OVS in 2019-20 was 9,682, but CVLN officials believe that as the availability and greater ease of the new application tools become widely known, there will be many more people applying for and successfully completing the compensation process.

“I am excited to see a product that incorporates research into practice in such a tangible and meaningful way,” said Dietzel.

CVLN was formed in 2014 through a U.S. Department of Justice grant. The Navigator and Guide were created with the assistance and financial support of OVS.