The Shooting Survivor brings the national tour to Jacksonville and forms the victims through the remuneration program

Jacksonville, Florida – A national advocacy of the victims of crime travels to the cities in the whole nation to ensure that victims of crime receive the support they need and they know that money is available to help them.

On Friday, the survivors of crime for security and justice in Jacksonville kept in order to raise awareness of the victim compensation program that many victims do not know.

Aswad Thomas was only a few a few a few ways away when he played in overseas professional basketball when he was shot twice in his back during a robbery in Hartford, Conn.

“This incident ended my professional basketball career and almost ended my life,” said Thomas.

This life -changing moment prompted Thomas, National Director of Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice, an organization that consisted of more than 200,000 members.

The group is committed to a judicial system that prioritizes healing, prevention and recovery.

Thomas is now on a multi-city tour with his organization and informs survivors about the victim's compensation.

“We all have this common topic that the majority of us have never accessed the program to compensate the state,” said Thomas. “The majority of us have no access to sacrifice.

Each state has a victim compensation program that serves as a lifeline for victims of crimes. It can help to cover burial costs, advice, lost wages and more.

However, a national survey from 2022 shows that 96% of the survivors of violent crime never receive compensation and many more do not even know that the program exists.

In 2004, Feletta Smith survived 13 times during a double murder in Jacksonville. It now runs beyond the ball, a support network for victims of gun violence.

“When I was shot, I did not get any information about the compensation of the victims,” said Smith, “I had a mortgage and a 5-year-old. I had a car. I had known that everyday bills and if I had compensation or would have been supported, it would have been different for me. If they raise someone.

While every state has a program, Thomas said that reality was many survivors, especially those who live in urban communities.

Survivors of crime for security and justice hope that their nationwide tour will change because they require updated guidelines and simpler access.

“I have made it my job to heal out of this incident, but also traveled through the country and spoke to victims of crime,” said Thomas.

In Florida, the maximum victims can receive $ 15,000 due to a non-fatal injury. Families whose relatives are killed and victims who are seriously injured can receive up to $ 50,000.

Further information on criminal survivors for security and justice can be found here.