FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 11, 2017
Crime Victims App Awarded PA Excellence
in Technology Award
Harrisburg, PA. — The
Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) was recently awarded a
PA Excellence in Technology Award at the PA Digital Government Summit for a new
mobile application designed to assist victims of crime in Pennsylvania.
Launched
in March 2017, the mobile application allows victims of crime to search for
local victim service providers and services within their area or region.
Victims of crime are also able to access local advocates who can assist them in
obtaining legal and medical services, compensation assistance and to access
information regarding their rights and protections as a victim of crime.
In October
2017, the app was expanded to allow victims and their
families to file victims compensation claims directly. Victims
compensation assists victims through the emotional and physical aftermath of a
crime by easing the financial impact placed upon them. Victims of crime may be
eligible to receive financial help for a variety of expenses related to their
victimization such as medical and counseling expenses, loss of earnings,
funeral expenses, crime scene cleanup, and other crime related expenses.
The
app was created, in part, through a collaborative effort by the Governor’s
Office of Transformation, Innovation, Management and Efficiency
(GO-TIME). Students from Harrisburg Area Community College were initially
involved in the design and build of the original app, which was then further
enhanced and deployed by PCCD. The direct filing feature was created by
PCCD.
The
PCCD system development team of Jeremy Martin, Dan Oneufer and Abhishek Kumar
accepted the award on behalf of PCCD at the Summit’s recognition ceremony at
the Harrisburg Hilton on December 7, 2017.
The
mobile application is available for both iPhone and Android users through the
App Store and Google Play Store under the name “PA Crime Victims.” It can
also be downloaded off of PCCD’s website.
Our Mission is to enhance the quality, coordination and planning
within the criminal and juvenile justice systems, to facilitate the delivery of
services to victims of crime, and to increase the safety of our communities.
MEDIA CONTACT: Kirsten Kenyon, (717)
265-8505