Monday, June 2nd marked Governor Kaine’s signing of HB 965, a measure designed and advocated by Delegate Steve Shannon to extend the resources of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund [CICF] to victims of stalking.

According to its mission statement, the CICF is a completely tax-independent organization dedicated to “treat[ing] every victim and survivor with dignity and respect, recognizing the tremendous impact that violent crime has upon our society.”  Funded through court fees, assessments on offenders, restitution, and a federal Victim of Crime Act Grant, its chief duty lies in providing some measure of financial assistance to victims of crime and their families.  Every year, the Fund allocates approximately $3 million to 1800-2000 claimants for the purpose of helping to meet “medical costs, lost wages, funeral expenses, counseling costs, and other reasonable and necessary expenses that are not covered by any other source.”

Until recently, victims of stalking were not eligible for coverage under the CICF.  Delegate Steve Shannon, the chief patron of the bill that closed this loophole in the system, has long been an advocate for victims’ rights.  “The psychological injury stalkers inflict on their victims is drastic but hard to identify,” he said in a statement.  “It is my hope that the passage of this bill provides stalking victims with the resources they need to get the help they deserve.”

Steve Shannon is a former Fairfax County prosecutor and co-founder of the Metropolitan Washington AMBER Alert program, designed to recover missing and abducted children.  For more information, visit www.delegatesteveshannon.com.