A001486
Tuesday, December 11, 2001 4:59 PM
eligibility for compensation
Kenneth L. Zwick, Director
Office of Management Programs
Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
There are situations in which legal relationships between family
members may not exist but these relationships are nevertheless
crucial to the individuals involved. Unmarried life partners
and/or defacto parents or children should not be left out in
the cold after such an incredibl horrendous experience. Such
discrimination is yet another act of violence against people
who have already suffered incredible trauma and grief. Their
exclusion from victims' compensation would certainly add unjust
insult to their injuries/losses. The adoption of rules for determining
eligibility should include the families of unmarried couples,
including gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people.
Individual Comment