Racial Disparities in Victim Compensation
Families of Black homicide victims are more likely to file victim compensation claims but face high denial rates, a Rutgers Health study found.
The study, published in Race and Justice, examined racial disparities in victim compensation claims across 18 U.S. states from 2015 to 2023, analyzing nearly 60,000 claims.
Researchers used regression models to identify racial disparities, controlling for factors like gender, state, and application year, and found that victim compensation programs often perpetuate racial inequities.
Although victim compensation programs were created to support victims and families after violent crime, these systems often perpetuate racial inequities in access to financial assistance.
Author's summary: Racial disparities persist in victim compensation for homicide survivors.
- Study examined 18 U.S. states from 2015 to 2023
- Analyzed nearly 60,000 homicide victim compensation claims
- Found disproportionately high denial rates for Black homicide victims' families