Expanded protections for N.Y. victims of crime

ALBANY | Three laws expanding financial assistance and protections for victims and survivors of crime who have not been physically injured are now in effect. Individuals who are victims of unlawful dissemination or publication of an intimate image, commonly referred to as "revenge porn," and first- and second-degree reckless endangerment, whose claims are filed with the state Office of Victim Services on or after Dec. 27, 2022, may now seek compensation from Office of Victim Services for certain crime-related costs. In addition, victims and survivors of interpersonal violence may now use additional documents and information to prove identity theft before debt collection can occur. The Office of Victim Services provides a critical financial safety net for victims and survivors of crime who have no other resources to pay for crime-related expenses. While many of those expenses stem from individuals being injured during the crime, state law allows certain non-physically injured victims and survivors of intimate partner violence, hate and other crimes, to seek compensation from the agency for certain costs they have incurred. Individuals who are victims of revenge porn (Penal Law Section 245.15) are now eligible to seek compensation for counseling and moving expenses, reimbursement for loss of earnings, and the repair or replacement of essential personal property from the agency. Individuals who are victims of first- and second-degree reckless endangerment (Penal Law Sections 120.20 and 120.25) are now eligible to seek compensation for expense related to counseling, the unreimbursed costs of securing a crime scene and crime scene cleanup, and reimbursement for loss of earnings. In addition, the state's General Business Law has been amended to provide individuals who are victims of identity theft alternate ways to report the crime and allow them to provide additional documentation that must be considered by creditors, which must stop any debt collection activities until they have completed a review of that documentation. While eligibility for compensation or reimbursement is determined by an individual's income and access to other resources, such as health insurance, victim assistance programs provide services and support at no cost to anyone who needs them.

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Expanded protections for N.Y. victims of crime

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