Victims of Terrorism and Mass Violence

In recent years, the Nation has experienced a surge in incidents of mass violence and domestic terrorism. These tragedies have impacted a range of communities—from small rural areas to large urban populations—and various locations such as schools, workplaces, nightclubs, and public settings. As the frequency of these tragedies increases, OVC recognizes the need to become better prepared and equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills, and evidence-based strategies to appropriately plan for, respond to, and fully support victims and communities affected by mass violence.

In FY 2018, OVC launched a new Mass Violence Victimization Resource Center to support the comprehensive needs of victims of mass violence and domestic terrorism and assess the needs of victims of large-scale criminal incidents. The goal of this project is to develop a national victim-centric framework that addresses best practices in preparing for and responding to incidents of mass violence and domestic terrorism with timely, diverse, and comprehensive approaches, from planning to long-term recovery. The resource center staff will develop tools and strategies, engage communities, and build the center's capacity to support victims, their families, and communities affected by mass violence and domestic terrorism through training and technical assistance, by identifying and replicating best practices, and by expanding expertise in the field.

OVC TTAC Supports First Responders to Mass Violence

OVC, through its Training and Technical Assistance Center (TTAC), provides training and technical assistance to communities across the Nation in implementing the tools and practices contained in OVC's Helping Victims of Mass Violence and Terrorism: Planning, Response, and Recovery Toolkit. The toolkit helps communities collaborate and plan for these incidents and develop more timely, effective, and comprehensive responses for victims.