Rutledge allocates more than $2 million to Department of Public Safety for crime victims

Attorney General: ‘ Arkansas families need to know they will be taken care of even after a violent crime has happened to a loved one’

Office of the Arkanas Attorney General LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge has announced the allocation of $2.1 million from the Consumer Education and Enforcement Fund to the Department of Public Safety for the Arkansas Crime Victims Reparations Program. The funds for the program will be used by the Crime Victims Reparation Board to compensate victims and family members of victims of violent crimes as well as ensuring forensic tests can be completed.

“Life is precious and it is tragic that a program like this is necessary,” said Rutledge. “Arkansas families need to know they will be taken care of even after a violent crime has happened to a loved one.”

“I am deeply grateful to our attorney general for her compassion to make sure that our child and youth victims of crime get the necessary expert medical forensic exams and lab work to aid not only their legal cases, but to assure them of their well-being and wholeness to start the healing of their hearts and souls,” said Arkansas’ First Lady Susan Hutchinson.

“As a law enforcement officer, I’ve seen firsthand the hopelessness left in the eyes of people who were victims of a criminal act and even though justice was meted out, the victims are left to rebuild their lives. All too often, these victims are our precious children,” said Secretary Jami Cook. “The Children’s Advocacy Centers provide an invaluable service in the pursuit of justice for our young victims. The compassionate allotment from Attorney General Rutledge will ensure the Crime Victims Reparations Board can help restore some small degree of hope to those who did nothing wrong.”

Attorney General Leslie Rutledge LESLIE RUTLEDGE (cont.)

The Arkansas Crime Victims Reparations Program was transferred in the governor’s reorganization to the Department of Public Safety and was previously administered by the Office of Attorney General until 2019. The program provides financial compensation to victims and family members who have suffered personal injury or death as the result of violent crime.

For more information contact the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office at 1-800-