Cash payments to crime victims? Some say it helps

Yale researchers are preparing to publish findings from a cash assistance program for victims of violence in Connecticut. The program, launched in 2023 by Yale New Haven Hospital with a $75,000 grant from the nonprofit 4-CT, provided two $500 payments (later reduced to one) to victims of shootings, stabbings, severe assaults, and trafficking, including intimate partner violence cases. Dr. Lucy Paredes, a Yale research fellow, interviewed 15–20 recipients between June 2023 and July 2024. She found that injuries often disrupted income, leaving victims unable to cover expenses like rent or medical bills, even when they lacked paid leave. The cash payments helped alleviate immediate financial strain, allowing recipients to prioritize recovery without returning to work prematurely. Most recipients used the funds for basic necessities such as food, rent, and utilities. One father used the money to buy mattresses for his children after gaining custody following his partner’s incarceration. The program’s flexibility—letting recipients decide how to use the funds—was key, according to Sarah Blanton, executive director of 4-CT, who emphasized trust in individuals’ judgment about their needs. A separate initiative by Compass Youth Collaborative, supported by Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, provided cash assistance to 230 at-risk youth aged 16–24. Funds were used for groceries, school supplies, transportation, and hygiene products. In one case, four families covered funeral expenses, including a mother who received last-minute funds to pay for her child’s funeral services. The program also enabled some youth to attend prom or cover gang tattoos for safety reasons. Larry Johnson, director of hospital and crisis response at Compass Youth Collaborative, noted the funds addressed critical gaps, such as immediate burial costs or safety measures, while fostering long-term stability for vulnerable populations.