Fund is Good Model

USA TODAY
Published March 8, 2002

By Susan Herman

The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund sets a new standard for this country to help victims of crime rebuild their lives.

Unlike current-and woefully inadequate-state compensation schemes that provide crime victims minimal aid to cover immediate out-of-pocket expenses, the federal program makes significant strides in addressing victims' long-term needs. In fact, in many respects, it provides a good model.

Notwithstanding its prohibition on lawsuits, the September 11th fund moves in the right direction by adopting several key principles: In addition to covering immediate out-of-pocket expenses, the fund will compensate for pain and suffering, for future lost earnings and for non-economic losses. Also, Sept. 11 victims will have a unique opportunity to express their needs in a public forum. Finally, the fund draws from general tax revenues, acknowledging a societal obligation to victims.

In 1999, Congress appropriated nearly $19 billion for law enforcement and corrections. Compare that with the roughly $500 million the federal government makes available each year for victim compensation and support services-money that comes solely from offender fines and penalties. It is fundamentally wrong to commit federal tax dollars for every aspect of our response to crime-except compensating victims.

Crime wreaks havoc on victims' lives. Many victims of the Sept. 11 attacks will suffer decreased work productivity, lowered academic performance and strained family relations. Depression, suicide, as well as drug and alcohol abuse are far more common among crime victims than in the general public.

Crime also takes an enormous toll on families, communities and society at large. When a significant portion of the 25 million people who become victims of crime each year remain psychologically, physically and financially unstable, there are real consequences. We all pay a heavy price for failing to help victims rebuild their lives.

The government's response to the Sept. 11 victims challenges us to think about how we as a society address victims' needs. This national conversation is long overdue.

Susan Herman is executive director of the National Center for Victims of Crime, Washington, D.C.