VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT - Californians For Safety And Justice

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March 2017VICTIMS OFCRIME ACTAND THE NEED FOR ADVOCACYA Toolkit for Advocates and Victims Services Providersto Ensure Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) FundsReach Underserved Crime Victimssafeandjust.orgHOW TO ORGANIZE A RECORD CHANGE CLINIC // 1

About Californians for Safety and Justice:Californians for Safety and Justice is a nonprofit project of the Tides Center working with crimesurvivors, law enforcement, business and community leaders, policymakers, health professionals,educators and crime-prevention experts to replace prison and justice system waste with solutions thatcreate safe neighborhoods and save public dollars.In 2012, Californians for Safety and Justice launched Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice, astatewide network for California’s diverse crime survivors to join together and advocate for new safetypriorities. The network includes a statewide Leadership Team, an online membership, and five regionalchapters (Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, San Diego and Fresno).1 CrimeSurvivors for Safety and Justice elevates the voices of those that are most harmed by crime and leasthelped by our current justice priorities, to advance new safety priorities rooted in prevention, traumarecovery, and community health. Most recently, Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice membersworked with California legislators to create 2 million in annual funding for local Trauma RecoveryCenters, which provide comprehensive services for people who have experienced traumatic crimes.Each April, we hold an annual conference in Sacramento, “Survivors Speak”, during National CrimeVictims’ Rights Week. This event attracts more than 500 crime survivors and provides an opportunityfor attendees to share their experiences, to get training as advocates, and develop influential networksin their own communities. The conference also helps participants connect with each other and findcritical support services.AcknowledgementsWe would like to thank Heather Warnken for her extensive work on this toolkit.We would like to thank Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice’s leadership team and chapter leads, whohave shaped and guided policy and advocacy for our crime survivors work. These members include:Leadership TeamSujatha BaligaAdela BarajasDavid GuizarMaura HalloranTom RudderowSonya ShahAqeela SherrillsHeather WarnkenDionne WilsonKathy Young-Hood1Chapter LeadsBay Area - Ayoola MitchellSacramento - Christi KetchumLos Angeles - David GuizarLearn more at safeandjust.org/survivors.2 // VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT (VOCA) AND THE NEED FOR ADVOCACY

TABLE OF CONTENTSAbout the Toolkit. 4I.Overview — An Unprecedented Opportunity.5II.Background on VOCA and the Need for Advocacy. 6III. What Services Does VOCA Fund and Who is Eligible to Receive Them?. 8IV.Role of the State VOCA Agencies.10V.Using Advocacy to Bring VOCA Funds to Underserved Communities in Your State.101. Assessing the Landscape.102. Building Statewide Advocacy Capacity.113. Identifying Key Decision-Makers, Learning the Facts and Understanding the Process.114. Building Relationships with VOCA, Other Key Decision-Makers and Influencers.115. Advocating for Expansion of VOCA Funds to Underserved Communities.126. Making the Case for Expanding VOCA Funds to Underserved Victims.127. Generating and Leveraging Media Coverage. 15VI. Policy Recommendations: Building a Future on Empowerment and Prevention.16VII. Conclusion. 17VIII. Appendices.18Appendix A: VOCA Funding Allocation Worksheet.18Appendix B: Sample State Advocacy Letter.19Appendix C: Using Social Media to Support Your Advocacy Efforts.20Appendix D: Writing and Submitting a Letter to the Editor or an Op-ed.21IX. Media Resources.23X.Additional Resources.23VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT (VOCA) AND THE NEED FOR ADVOCACY // 3

ABOUT THE TOOLKITThis toolkit is designed for local, state and national advocacy organizations and service providersthat work on behalf of underserved communities, particularly on behalf of those populationsthat are disproportionately impacted by crime. The toolkit is aimed at organizations that wish toadvocate for more resources to be made available to individuals in need of support, and to takefull advantage of the additional VOCA funds described herein.The toolkit: offers an overview of the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) provides advocacy tools to bring funding to your communityFor organizations that wish to learn more about how to apply for VOCA funds, please see theEqual Justice USA toolkit at ejusa.org/voca/toolkit.4 // VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT (VOCA) AND THE NEED FOR ADVOCACY

I. OVERVIEW – AN UNPRECEDENTED OPPORTUNITYThere is an unparalleled opportunity at hand for advocatesand service providers working to improve the outcomes forpeople who most commonly — and repeatedly — experiencecrime and violence in the United States. In FY2015, the U.S.Congress approved a federal cap of 2.3 billion, up from 745 million the previous year, for victim services. Thisdramatic increase — more than 200 percent — is the amountof funds that can go to crime victims under the federalVictims of Crime Act (VOCA). But a concerted effort isneeded to ensure that a sufficient portion of the new fundsreach overlooked and under-resourced service providers andcommunities.Californians for Safety and Justice has created this toolkit tohelp advocates and service providers accomplish that goal,by increasing efforts to:Government-funded victims services were put in place tohelp survivors of crime, but too often these programs fail toreach populations that most commonly experience crime,especially repeat crime — in particular low-income peopleof color. And these victims also are the least likely to haveaccess to policymakers, the media and others who could helptheir voices be heard when decisions are being made aboutwho should receive services.Efforts to elevate these voices are needed now around theunprecedented opportunity presented by increased fundingfor victims services. If local advocates, service providers andpolicymakers can help steer some of those funds to programsand services that are best equipped to reach overlooked andunderserved populations, we can see dramatic improvementsin health and public safety outcomes. Elevate the voices of individuals and communities whoexperience crime most often — and whose needs typicallygo unmet Build state-based advocacy capacity that will engageVOCA administrators and assist them in directing funds tohard-to-reach crime survivors Raise awareness about who is most likely to be harmed,especially by repeat crime, but least likely to be recognizedor helped as victims of crime.The need for change is driven by the fact that crime canhave a long-lasting impact on individuals, families andentire communities. Survivors of crime, especially victimsof violence, often need assistance in recovering from thesetraumatic experiences — both to minimize the immediatephysical and psychological impacts and also to help themavoid future harm.VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT (VOCA) AND THE NEED FOR ADVOCACY // 5

II. BACKGROUND ON VOCA AND THE NEED FOR ADVOCACYIn 1984, the United States Congress passed the Victims ofCrime Act (VOCA), establishing the federal Crime VictimsFund (Fund) as the primary source of financial support forprograms serving victims throughout the country. In 1988,the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) was established withinthe U.S. Department of Justice to administer the Fund.Deposits to the Fund do not come from taxpayer dollars butrather from criminal fines, penalties, forfeited bonds whensomeone fails to appear in court, and special assessments.As of 2014, more than 10 billion has been deposited intothe Fund.For the past three decades, these funds have been distributedto all 50 states for the purpose of assisting and compensatingvictims of crime. In Fiscal Year 2000, Congress cappedthe amount available for distribution in order to stabilizeresources and minimize the effect of fluctuating deposits onfunding levels. After that action, service providers and leadersacross the country began advocating for more of the Fund tobe distributed in order to more effectively meet the needs ofcrime victims — especially those who continue to fall throughthe cracks.In December 2014 those efforts paid off: Congress lifted thecap on VOCA distributions — and by historic proportions.The Fund had been limited to 745 million the previousyear but jumped to 2.361 billion in Fiscal Year 2015,representing a 216.9% increase over the FY 2014 cap. Thefederal cap increased to 2.7 billion in FY16 and is expectedto stay at the same level in 2017. Although a significantportion of that increase is earmarked for pre-designatedpurposes, a substantial additional amount is now availablethrough a competitive grant process. (States have three yearsto spend their current allocation.) See Appendix A for fundingallocations.The Need for AdvocacyThis major shift means that there are finally real dollars to helpclose tremendous gaps in services, address barriers, and movetoward more inclusive, equitable and diverse VOCA funding.Change, however, is not inevitable or easy. If the newresources simply go to existing, traditional services, manyvictims of crime will continue to be left behind — andvulnerable to more harm. The availability of new VOCA fundsmust be accompanied by a significant shift in how theseresources are allocated — through innovative strategies thatsupport community-based providers that have not previouslyreceived VOCA dollars.To help in that effort, the OVC has released “Vision 21,”providing clear guidance on key priorities to move the field ina new direction. This guidance includes the need to: Prioritize the use of data in decision-making Build bridges between research and practices Build capacity to serve all victims of crime, especiallyvulnerable populations who experience disproportionaterates of victimization such as young men of color, theLGBTQ community, cyber crime victims, the disabled andthe elderlyDespite OVC’s guidance on these issues, agenciesadministering VOCA at the state level still have tremendousdiscretion in how VOCA funds are distributed.2 Demonstratingthe needs of underserved communities and making the case todecision-makers will take collaboration, research and advocacy.As stated by the VOCA regulations, “VOCA gives latitude to state grantees to determine how VOCA victim assistance grant funds will best be usedwithin each state” ojp.gov/ovc/voca/vaguide.htm.26 // VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT (VOCA) AND THE NEED FOR ADVOCACY

“Young males of color suffer disproportionately high rates of victimization, yet are among the leastlikely to report crime or seek services. Innovative approaches are being developed to betterrespond to their needs, including Common Justice, a restorative justice program that providesparticipants with a respectful and effective means of accountability, an equitable and dignifiedavenue to healing, and the tools to break cycles of violence.3ELIZA HERSH, DIRECTOR, CLEAN SLATE PRACTICE, EAST BAY COMMUNITY LAW CENTERMONITORING AND ADJUSTING TO POLICY DEVELOPMENTS”Regulations for VOCA and its reporting requirements has recently changed and went into effectAugust 8, 2016.Although we know several of the major changes at the federal level, VOCA administrators will continue tohave discretion on new guidelines at the state level. OVC also addes greater flexibility for States to supporttransitional housing and relocation expensese using VOCA funds. OVC adds greater flexibility for States toallow sub-recipients to use VOCA funds for coordination activities, which help leverage community resourcesto provide better and more cost-effective direct services. We do know that the expansion of VOCA funding willbring expanded oversight to those grants — in other words, greater scrutiny, accountability and transparencyin the use of these dollars.Local stakeholders should follow any announcements or changes at the state level to ensure they arespondpromptly to proposed changes that might affect their constituency. Contact the National Association of VOCAAssistance Administrators for updates: navaa.org/budget“This new rule significantly expands state and local agencies’ ability to reach survivors of a widerange of crimes, to help them recover from their ordeals, and to empower them to secure abrighter future for themselvesand their loved ones.— FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL LORETTA E. LYNCH4”navaa.org/budget/16/NCVC funding needs.pdf. Noting that, “[t]o replicate this program in other cities would cost 1 million each. For even oneprogram per state, the total cost would be 50 expands-services-crime-victims3VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT (VOCA) AND THE NEED FOR ADVOCACY // 7

III. WHAT SERVICES DOES VOCA FUND AND WHO ISELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THEM?What Services Does VOCA Fund?Who is considered “underserved”?VOCA funds provide crime victims with direct services,defined as those that: Boys and men of color Respond to the emotional and physical needs of crimevictims LGBTQ individuals Assist primary and secondary victims of crime in stabilizingtheir lives after victimization Persons with disabilities Help victims to understand and participate in the criminaljustice system Residents of rural or remote areas, as well as residentsof an ”inner city” Provide victims of crime with a measure of safety andsecurity, such as boarding up broken windows and replacingor repairing locks, or creating a safe space to discuss theirvictimizationNote: VOCA funds may not be used to supplant state, localor other funds that would otherwise be available for the samepurpose. Funds must be used to increase the total amount ofresources used to support services to crime victims. Tribal communities People designated as Limited English Proficient Members of one or more racial or ethnic groupsAlthough states may not use federal funds to supplantstate and local funds otherwise available for crime victimsassistance, they do have some flexibility in determining the“underserved populations” in their jurisdiction. Therefore,it is important for advocates to work diligently with stateleaders to ensure that VOCA funds truly are serving thosemost in need.Programs Serving Immigrants are EligibleWho is Eligible to Receive VOCA Funds?States are required to distribute a minimum of 10% of theirfunds to each of the following priority areas established byVOCA: Underserved populations of victims of violent crimeThe Office for Victims of Crime has issued a legal noticeclarifying that victims assistance programs servingundocumented crime victims are eligible for VOCA funding.In fact, victims services programs receiving VOCA cannotlegally deny services to undocumented immigrants.5 Victims of child abuseServices for People in the Justice System Victims of sexual assaultOVC removes the prohibition on providing services toincarcerated victims (e.g., victims of sexual assault in prison).Although VOCA funding may not support prison costs,such as prison guard salaries or administrative expenses,States are no longer prohibited from allowing VOCA- fundedorganizations to assist incarcerated victims.6 Victims of domestic violenceFrom the legal determination clarifying the applicability of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to VOCA: “We havedetermined that neither compensation nor assistance funded by VOCA victim compensation or victim assistance grants are “Federal public benefits” within themeaning of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, and therefore should not be denied to an individual on the groundthat the person is not a “qualified alien” under that Act.”6The Office for Victims of Crime (“OVC”) of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs (“OJP”), publishes this final rule to implement thevictim assistance formula grant program (“Victim Assistance Program”) authorized by the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (“VOCA”). 5/victims-of-crime-act-victim-assistance-program58 // VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT (VOCA) AND THE NEED FOR ADVOCACY

Who is eligible to apply for VOCA grants?Under federal guidelines, organizations do not have to bea non-profit organization with 501(c)(3) status to apply forVOCA funding. However, many states list this as a staterequirement or otherwise organizations must be recognizedas tax exempt. Please keep in mind that organizations thatapply for VOCA grants must be prepared to help crimevictims with accessing all of the services listed above. VOCAalso requires that grantees assist crime victims with victimcompensation claims.ADVOCATING FOR RESTORATIVEJUSTICE: WHAT VOCA DOESAND DOES NOT ALLOWRestorative Justice is a service that VOCAfunds, although each state has discretionon whether or not it will allow such supportunder its funding guidelines.“According to the OVC, victims of domesticviolence make up the largest number ofvictims receiving services under the VictimAssistance Formula Grants Program. In2012, approximately 48% of the 3,486,655victims served by these grants werevictims of domestic violence. This figurehas remained relatively stable since 2000,when 50% of all victims served by thevictim assistance grants were victims ofdomestic violence.7ROSE CAHN, SOROS JUSTICE FELLOW, LAWYERS’COMMITTEE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS OF THE SANFRANCISCO BAY AREA”VOCA defines Restorative Justice asopportunities for crime survivors to meetwith the people who harmed them, if thosemeetings are requested and voluntarilyagreed to by the survivor, and offer potentialbeneficial or therapeutic value to thesurvivor.It is important to note that VOCA does notfund Restorative Justice programs thatreplace other criminal justice MS OF CRIME ACT (VOCA) AND THE NEED FOR ADVOCACY // 9

IV. ROLE OF THE STATE VOCA AGENCIESVOCA funds are awarded by OVC through a specific fundingformula as well as discretionary grants to states, localgovernment agencies, and other entities. OVC also awardsportions of the Fund to specially designated programs. Thestate determines how it will distribute the funds it receives,within the parameters set by the federal guidelines.Facts about the State VOCA Administrator Every state has a designated VOCA administrator who isresponsible for distributing the VOCA funds. The state VOCA administrator is responsible for releasingand administering the Requests for Grant Application(RGA) or Requests for Application (RFA) in that state,including to all Community-Based Organizations. Some states also have a VOCA committee in addition to anadministrator. Note that the name and location of the VOCA AdministratorOffice vary by state (Department of Public Safety, AttorneyGeneral’s Office, State Office for Victim Services, EmergencyServices, etc.). The state VOCA administrators have a professionalassociation — the National Association of VOCA AssistanceAdministrators; its website, navaa.org, provides informationconcerning each state’s VOCA office, funding and legislativeupdates, and other pertinent details.V. USING ADVOCACY TO BRING VOCA FUNDS TOUNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IN YOUR STATETo succeed in expanding the distribution of VOCA funds topreviously underserved populations, organizations will needa multi-pronged approach consisting of several steps. Thesesteps include: assessing the local landscape building statewide advocacy capacity, including elevating thevoices of crime survivors gaining information about the VOCA funding process andVOCA fund decision-makers making VOCA administrators and other decision-makersaware of the gaps in funding and assisting them withexpanding the VOCA funding process to support those thatserve underserved groups10 // VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT (VOCA) AND THE NEED FOR ADVOCACY1. Assessing the LandscapeBefore undertaking an advocacy campaign to expand victimsservices to underserved populations, it is important tounderstand the extent of the problem, the type of services thatare available (if any), and which organizations and agenciesexist to provide support — both to underserved victimsand in any advocacy effort to gain VOCA funds. Gatheringinformation through direct contact and research, includinglooking at past news coverage, will help you uncover potentialallies and help ensure that your efforts will be enhanced andnot duplicated.

2. Building Statewide Advocacy CapacityThe next step is building up the advocacy community inyour state. This effort includes organizing communityorganizations, advocacy groups, and crime survivors —particularly those in high-crime neighborhoods. It is importantto build relationships within the communities themselves, bothwith those directly impacted by crime and with the communityand faith-based organizations that serve them. Identifyingvictims of crime, and empowering them to talk about theirexperiences and their unmet needs, will be a critical tool as youmove forward.3. Identifying Key Decision-Makers, Learning the Facts,Understanding the ProcessBefore engaging in an advocacy campaign to expand VOCAfunds to underserved populations, organizations need todetermine which strategies will work most effectively in theirstate. To do so they will need to learn which state agencyis responsible for managing the VOCA funding process,how that process works, and how the funds are distributed.Unfortunately, obtaining this information is not always as easyas one might think.In many states, the timeline and decision-making process forallocating new VOCA funds is unclear. Organizations thathave not received VOCA funds in the past — and may be morelikely to work with underserved victims and marginalizedcommunities — may not be aware of the process or even thatVOCA exists. Often, these organizations are not on the VOCAagency’s “radar” and thus are unlikely to receive notification ofpublic hearings or requests for proposals.Below is a list of key questions that advocates should ask tohelp inform their advocacy decisions. If you have difficultyfinding answers to these questions, do not hesitate to contactyour state or federal representative’s office for help innavigating the system. What is the VOCA-administering agency in your state,and who are the key leaders/contacts to engage? Alisting of state VOCA administrators can be found atnavaa.org/statedirectory.html. Who are the other key decision-makers and influencers,including state elected officials who may oversee the VOCAfunding process or may be sympathetic to your cause? How much VOCA funding is available to your state afterallocations to pre-designated grantees? How can you learn which organizations are receiving grants,and which organizations have received grants in the past? Has the VOCA-administering agency released a timeline orplan for disbursement of VOCA funding? Is there a committee making these determinations orsteering the VOCA process? If so, are the membersrepresentative of the communities the VOCA funds shouldserve, including the underserved? Who are the members ofthe committee, and what is the most effective way to contactthem individually? Are there opportunities for public comment (e.g., publichearings) or to otherwise submit information to the decisionmakers at the state agency to make the case for investment inunderserved communities? Are there relevant Requests For Proposals (RFPs) or RequestsFor Applications (RFAs) already available? If not, when mightthey become available? How much time will organizations have to apply for VOCAgrants? Is the timeline sufficient for them to complete theirproposals? What programs for “underserved victims” does the statealready fund through existing VOCA grants, if any?4. Building Relationships with VOCA, Other Key DecisionMakers and InfluencersOnce you understand the lay of the land, you will be betterable to develop a plan to achieve your goal. But regardless ofhow well or how poorly your state is addressing underservedcommunities, it will be important to engage and meet with keydecision-makers and others who can influence the decisionmaking process.VOCA AgencyThe most important relationship you will want to build is withthe VOCA administrator and other VOCA staff and leadershipin your state. In fact, if you are successful in identifying theseindividuals and meeting with them, they will be able to helpyou answer the questions we have posed above.Once you have identified the VOCA administrator, reach outto him or her to set up an in-person meeting. You may wantto ask representatives from one or more other organizationsto join you in this meeting. Let the VOCA administrator knowthat your purpose is to learn more about the funding processfor your state and to provide some basic information aboutVICTIMS OF CRIME ACT (VOCA) AND THE NEED FOR ADVOCACY // 11

the unmet needs in your community or state. Try to set up thismeeting directly, but if you are unable to secure it, enlist thehelp of the state agency that oversees VOCA or a local statelegislative office.As part of your discussion, VOCA administrators should beurged to provide transparency and communicate how theywill share VOCA funding information and how communitymembers can provide input and be part of the process.Other key decision-makersIn addition to staff and committee members with the stateVOCA administering agency, other decision-makers willinclude the state agency under which the VOCA administratoris situated, and state elected officials who sit on legislativecommittees that oversee the VOCA process and/or their staffmembers who help manage this effort. Set up meetings withelected officials either in their capitol or district offices. Do notoverlook your local state representatives, even if they do not siton relevant committees. (Remember: ultimately, state electedrepresentatives approve the budgets for most state agencies —most likely including the one over VOCA; they can also exertinfluence on their fellow legislators.)Key influencersFind out who the key influencers are in your city orcounty; these could be the mayor, city council members,law enforcement leaders, community and faith leaders, orneighborhood advocates. Build relationships with theseindividuals that allow for dialogue and education on theimportance of VOCA funding to underserved communities.When at all possible and appropriate, create avenues for keydecision-makers and influencers to hear directly from crimesurvivors such as one-on-one meetings, community events ortown halls.grassroots efforts with their members or constituencies. Theseactivities can include: Attendance at VOCA public hearings, if they exist Attendance at legislative committee or other hearings todiscuss VOCA funding decisions Providing written or oral testimony to the VOCA agencyand/or legislative committees — either by an organizationrepresentative, a community member or other “influencer,”or a crim

In 1984, the United States Congress passed the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), establishing the federal Crime Victims Fund (Fund) as the primary source of financial support for programs serving victims throughout the country. In 1988, the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) was established within the U.S. Department of Justice to administer the Fund.

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In 1984, the United States Congress passed the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), establishing the federal Crime Victims Fund (Fund) as the primary source of financial support for programs serving victims throughout the country. In 1988, the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) was established within the U.S. Department of Justice to administer the Fund.

VOCA Victims Compensation Grant. The Victim Assistance funds support direct services across the state, whereas the Victims Compensation funds support the Crime Victim's Reparations (CVR) program. Pursuant to the 1984 Victims of Crime Act, fines paid in federal criminal cases are set aside to the federal Crime Victims Fund.

Enacted in 1984, the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) is the central source of federal financial support . The Victims of Crime Act stipulates that a minimum of 40 percent of the state's total grant will be awarded by giving 10 percent to each of 4 categories of crime victims: sexual assault, domestic .

page 2 Victims of Crime (Financial Assistance) Act 2016 Effective: 02/07/21 R5 02/07/21 . Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au . Part 1 Preliminary . 1 Name of Act . This Act is the . Victims of Crime (Financial Assistance) Act 2016. 3 Dictionary

The Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) of 1984 established the Crime Victims Fund in the U.S. Treasury. The Crime Victims Fund is financed by fines and penalties paid by convicted federal offenders, and includes deposits from federal criminal fines, forfeited bail bonds, penalties, and special assessments collected by U.S. Attorneys'

The Victims of Crime Act created a federal "Crime Victims Fund" which is supported by criminal fines and penalties paid by federal offenders. The money in the Crime Victims Fund is used to provide VOCA grants to the states. VOCA Grants provide direct services designed to: 1. Respond to the emotional, psychological, or physical needs .

Victims of Crime The purpose of this document is to assist Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Victim Assistance (VA) grantees in completing and submitting accurate performance measure data in the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) Performance Measurement Tool (PMT). OVC uses grantee-reported data in reports and publications to

development of the International Standard and its recent publication, now, is a good opportunity to reflect on the body of information and guidance that is available a wide range of organisations. Whether you are trying to make sense of the variety of views on the revised International Standard, prepare for your transition or to keep up with the latest developments in Environmental Management .