Washington, DC (June 18, 2018) – Today, the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) thanked the Senate for supporting the five percent tribal set-aside funds in the Crime Victims Fund for FY 2019. This amounts to around $220 million.
“If maintained, the five percent set-aside is a win for Native communities that suffer from violent crimes at devastating rates,” said Diane Randall, Executive Secretary for FCNL. “We hope that the increased set-aside remains untouched throughout the rest of FY 2019 budget process in Congress.”
In some rural communities, Native women face a murder rate that is 10 times higher than the national average. Despite this, victims in Native American communities are less likely to receive assistance and services. In 1984, Congress established the Crime Victims Fund to compensate and help victims. Funding for the Crime Victims Fund comes from offenders—not taxpayers—and goes directly to help victims of crime.
In the past, Native communities can only avail of these funds through the state. By setting aside 5 percent of the funds, amounting to some $220 million in FY 2019, Native American victims can apply for these funds directly.
“The Crime Victims Fund is an important step in ensuring victim services within the tribal justice system are supported,” added Lacina Tangnaqudo Onco (Shinnecock/Kiowa), Congressional Advocate in FCNL’s Native American Advocacy Program. “This set-aside will help to prevent crime and violence in Native communities, and provide vital resources to help families heal.”
Since 1976, FCNL, has worked to restore and improve U.S. relations with Native American communities in order to honor the promises made in hundreds of treaties with 573 nations. They have a unique status in the U.S.; they are not states and they are more than just another ethnic group.
To learn more, please visit www.fcnl.org.
Founded in 1943 by members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), FCNL lobbies Congress and the administration for U.S. policies that advance peace, justice, and good government.