Crime Victim Grants

As a primary function of the Office of Justice Programs, Crime Victim Services, approximately $14 million in state and federal funds are distributed annually to over 160 programs serving victims throughout the state of Minnesota. Program staff, with input from focus groups:

Program Types:

In addition to the direct services indicated below, all OJP-funded programs spend time providing community education, training other professionals on victim issues, and working with other criminal justice agencies to improve services to victims.

For a list of victim service providers in Minnesota, see the Victim Services Provider Directory.

Abused Children Programs

Abused Children programs provide general advocacy services to children who have experienced abuse, and their families. Services may include 24-hour crisis phone lines, group support, legal advocacy, crisis intervention, information and referral, transportation, play therapy, assessment interviews, development of protection plans, and parenting information classes.

Abused Children programs are housed in community-based non-profit organizations and within various units of local government such as human services.

Domestic Violence Community Advocacy Programs

Domestic Violence Community Advocacy Programs (CAP) provide general advocacy services including 24-hour crisis intervention, arrangements for emergency housing and transportation to safety, assistance in pursuing civil, criminal and family court remedies, accompaniment to appointments as appropriate, and coordination of services provided by other agencies.

In addition to general advocacy services, CAP programs provide information and referral to resources which may include child care, services for children, income maintenance, legal services, food, clothing, medical services, transitional housing resources and social services.

CAP programs are housed in community-based non-profit organizations and within various units of local government such as human services.

Domestic Violence Criminal Justice Intervention Programs

Domestic Violence Criminal Justice Intervention programs (CJI) focus on advocating for victims of domestic violence whose assailants have been identified by the criminal justice system through law enforcement response to a domestic assault incident. Services include providing information to victims regarding possible options for legal recourse, including orders for protection, harassment orders, and civil/criminal remedies.

CJI programs also work with local criminal justice agencies to improve the response to domestic violence victims. This is done through providing training to criminal justice professionals, tracking all cases from the initial law enforcement response to a domestic abuse call through sentencing, and assisting criminal justice agencies with the development and implementation of effective policies and procedures.

CJI programs are housed in community-based non-profit organizations.

Domestic Violence Shelter Programs

Domestic Violence Shelter programs provide temporary emergency housing for battered women and their children. Shelters provide general advocacy services including 24-hour crisis intervention, arrangements for emergency housing and transportation to safety, accompaniment to appointments as appropriate, assistance in pursuing civil, criminal and family court remedies, and coordination of services provided by other agencies.

In addition to general advocacy services, Shelters provide information and referral to resources which may include child care, services for children, income maintenance, legal services, food, clothing, medical services, transitional housing resources and social services.

General Crime Programs

General Crime programs provide general advocacy services including 24-hour crisis intervention, transportation, acting on victims’ behalf with social services or criminal justice agencies, seeking victim compensation benefits, assistance with compensation claims, filing temporary restraining orders, emotional support during trials, and having information available regarding possible legal resources.

General Crime programs are housed in community-based non-profit organizations, and local governmental entities such as county attorney offices, police departments, and sheriff’s departments.

Parenting Time Centers

Parenting Time Centers (PTC) provide a healthy interactive parenting time and visitation environment for parents who are separated/divorced and for parents with children in foster homes. PTC programs are available for use as a drop-off site, so parents who are under court order to not have contact with each other can exchange children for visitation at a neutral site.

Sexual Assault Programs

Sexual Assault programs provide general advocacy services including 24-hour crisis intervention, short-term emotional support, assistance in securing emergency services, transportation, assistance during medical procedures, assistance during investigations, assistance during court activities, and assistance in accessing human/social/family services.

Sexual Assault programs are housed in community-based non-profit organizations and local governmental entities such as county attorney offices and human services.