Delaware crime victims are eligible to receive state compensation for mental health counseling, costs of attending criminal proceedings, and other expenses through legislation signed into law by Governor Markell during an afternoon ceremony today in Wilmington. House Bill 133 expands the newly revamped Delaware’s Victims’ Compensation Assistance Program (VCAP), formerly called the Violent Crimes Compensation Board.

Through House Bill 133, innocent victims may request compensation when a “cold case” is
reopened or the offender seeks release through the Board of Parole or appears in court for purposes of
post-conviction relief or appeal of the conviction. Victims are now also eligible to apply for
compensation in the event of a retrial of the offender on the original charges involving the victim,
including penalty hearings, or upon the execution of the offender. Compensation is available for 1
year prior to, or 2 years after, the offender’s release from prison or the date of the retrial, parole
hearing, or other court-related events involving the offender. House Bill 133 was sponsored by
Representatives Dennis P. Williams and Helene M. Keeley and Senate Majority Whip Margaret Rose
Henry.

Today’s signing of House Bill 133 follows the recent enactment of House Bill 253, which
transferred the Victims’ Compensation Assistance Program to the Delaware Department of Justice,
streamlined the compensation process for innocent victims of crime, and provided Delawareans
statewide with local access to victim compensation services. VCAP is funded through penalties paid
by individuals convicted of a criminal act or adjudicated as a delinquent.

“The true costs of crime are not just what is stolen, or broken, or lost. The true costs to the
victim and society can be, and often are, so much greater,” Markell said. “This legislation offers some
additional assistance to help survivors heal.”

A retired Wilmington police officer, Representative Williams also served on the Violent
Crimes Compensation Board and has seen both the immediate and long-term effects crime has on
victims. “Innocent victims often are forced to relive those incidents over and over,” he stated.
“Anything we can do to help them is a step in the right direction. Government taking this action today
is a testament that we can have a positive impact on people’s lives. I’m honored to have been able to
sponsor this bill.”

“Victims of violent crime are affected physically, emotionally and financially,” stated Patricia
Dailey Lewis, Director of the Attorney General’s Family Division. “This legislation will relieve some
of the financial burden from these innocent victims of crime, allow them to freely participate in the
criminal justice process, and aid them in putting their lives back together.”
VCAP Executive Director Barbara Brown and VCAP staff have been holding outreach sessions
with mental health providers, local hospitals and other service providers to expand awareness of
compensation benefits available to victims and to coordinate assistance throughout the community. In
an effort to expand access to victim services, the Department of Justice also announced that, beginning
over the next several weeks, VCAP helpdesks will be staffed at:
• The Department of Justice Dover office, 102 West Water Street, every Monday between 9:00
a.m. and 3:00 p.m., effective immediately
• The Department of Justice Georgetown office, 114 East Market Street, every Monday between
9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., beginning September 14
• The New Castle County Family Court, 500 North King Street, Wilmington, every Friday
between 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., beginning September 4
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