Crime Survivor Fund
What We Do
The Crime Survivors’ Fund was established by the San Mateo Police Officers' Association to help victims and families directly affected by heinous criminal acts. We provide a trusted fundraising platform to enable victims and their families access to services and support they need to achieve long-term financial and emotional stability. The Fund provides two types of direct assistance, financial support and follow up, to be available for a more extended time-frame and to be flexible and responsive to helping individuals and families meet long-term recovery needs.
How To Help
We are currently not seeking donations for the Crime Survivor Fund. Please direct any support you have for the POA to our general donation page.
Latest Fundraising Need Fulfilled - $173,000 Donated
All proceeds will go to the survivor of the sexual assault that occurred in San Mateo on 8/5/20. The SMPOA membership extends our deepest gratitude to all who donated. Please see the latest press release posted to our Media Relations section for more information.
On 8/11/20, the San Mateo Police Officers’ Association activated a GoFundMe, among other fundraising platforms, to pool money together for a rape victim in her 60s – the sole provider for her two young boys and 90-year-old frail mother.
On Wednesday, August 5, 2020 at 10:40 p.m. San Mateo police officers were called to a report of sexual assault at 9th Ave / S El Camino Real. Officers contacted a female victim in her 60s, and learned she had been seriously beaten and then raped at a bus stop after leaving work. The seriousness of her injuries has her fighting for her life at a local trauma center.
Meanwhile, life goes on and bills are stacking up for this victim, her two young boys, and her 90-year-old mother. Their monthly rent is past due, utility bills are coming in, and she still has mouths to feed. These are the real-life effects of victimization, not to mention the mental health ramifications of experiencing such trauma. Our police officers see the seriousness of this case, and that’s why we’re reaching out to you.
A woman is raped every 2 minutes in the United States and California has consistently led the nation in the highest number of rapes. With 1 out of every 6 women being the victim of rape, we’re reminded just how close this hits to home. These women could be your sister, mother, or grandmother in this case.
Compassionate donations were accepted on a multitude of various platforms for this case. Donations ranged from $1 or $25,000, and we believe the collaborative approach to help this family will make all the difference. We sincerely appreciate the outpour of support from the San Mateo community and thank you for your donation.
Per California law, we are unable to disclose the survivor’s name to the public and we respect their right to privacy during this extremely difficult time. The San Mateo Police Officers’ Association thanks everyone for their assistance!