How to add VOCA information?
What is VOCA?
VOCA stands for Victims of Crime Act. This is very similar to the VAWA information, the data inserted in this section will be used to keep track of the information. The information added in this section will be saved in the case and in the same location.
Can I add VOCA to any Relationship?
VOCA information can ONLY be added to Relationships that has the Victims flag enable.
How does STAC know who qualifies for VOCA?
STAC knows who qualifies for VOCA based on which individuals have the VOCA information filled out in the Relationship and has the Qualify for VOCA box, checked.
STAC knows the date the victim qualified, based on the Event date (Events are added manually). STAC looks for the events (created in the Report Grant column map), but then only cases with victims that qualify are included in the report.
How to add VOCA information?
There are 2 ways a user can add VOCA information to a Victim on the case:
1. Select the Relationship > Right click menu > Victim Services > Add VOCA.
2. Once the victim is selected the VOCA tab in the Detail section will be available to add/edit the VOCA information.
VOCA Input Screen – Crime Types / Victimization Categories
The VOCA input screen currently allows for two victimization fields per victim record. This isn’t a STAC limitation in isolation; it mirrors the data structure used for federal VOCA Performance Measurement Tool (PMT) reporting, a Primary and Secondary Victimization Type. Primary and Secondary Victimization cannot be same. The Other Explanation field is a sub-victimization field that applies when Primary or Secondary Victimization Type selected is Other as a complementary information.
According to the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC): “An individual may be counted in more than one victimization type; however, an individual may not be counted more than once for the same victimization type.”. The 25 victimization categories listed by OVC (e.g., Adult Physical Assault, Robbery, Domestic/Family Violence, etc.) are meant to be broad classifications, not a one-to-one match with each charge or statute (or crimes).
For example, multiple offenses (crimes) like Battery, Battery with Firearm, and Aggravated Assault would all fall under the single category of Adult Physical Assault for VOCA reporting.
So, while victims can experience several different crimes, the goal of VOCA data entry is to summarize those experiences into up to two broad categories per victim.
That said, if an agency wants to track all additional crimes internally for reference or data analysis, they can create a custom report that summarizes victim-related offenses (not victimization types) at the case level for local reporting while still keeping the VOCA upload compliant.
Source Information:
Relating Victims to Services
For both existing and future VASERVICES records, the Victim should be related to each service entry. This ensures that the VOCA reporting correctly attributes services to the individual victim rather than the case as a whole.
When multiple victims exist on the same case, each victim’s services need to be explicitly linked in order for them to appear accurately in counts and summaries (e.g., services provided by victim type, demographics, or assistance category). This relationship is essential for both local reporting and VOCA performance metrics.
How to record Victim Services in STAC?
Currently, services are entered in STAC by adding an Event to the case and selecting the appropriate Event Type and Event Subtype and Event Action (if applicable).
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