SACRAMENTO:-  April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Each year the California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB) helps sexual assault victims across California receive financial help to support their healing and recovery.

Qualifying victims can get up to $70,000 in compensation for crime-related expenses. Benefits can include reimbursement for mental health counseling, medical and dental care, income loss, relocation, and residential security. CalVCB provides financial assistance after other sources, such as insurance, are used first.

“Sexual assault victims often face long-term emotional and financial challenges,” said Executive Officer Lynda Gledhill. “CalVCB is here to help them get the mental health care and other support they need to recover and rebuild their lives.”

Victims of sexual assault do not need a police report to apply for compensation. CalVCB may also accept medical records, mental health records, sexual assault exam documentation, or a letter from a sexual assault counselor or therapist.

To qualify, victims must be California residents, visitors who were victimized in California, or military members and their family members stationed in the state.

Victims have up to seven years to apply for compensation. Victims who are 21 or younger may apply until their 28th birthday.

Although crime rates in California are improving and are at historic lows in many areas, it has a lasting impact on all people and communities touched by it. For those who are victims, CalVCB has applications in 18 languages. English- and Spanish-speaking victims can apply online.

For help applying, victims in Los Angeles County can get help from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Victim Services.

Additional information about available services and how to apply is available on the CalVCB website at victims.ca.gov.