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News and announcements

Register for Virtual Consultation on the Fiscal Year 2021 Crime Victims Fund Tribal Set-Aside Formula Program

The Office for Victims of Crime invites Tribal leaders, representatives, and stakeholders to participate in the Consultation on the Tribal Set-Aside from the Crime Victims Fund for Fiscal Year 2021. Attendees will discuss the FY 2021 Crime Victims Fund Tribal Set-Aside and potential revisions to the interim formula and application process used in 2020. The Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Program provides support to Tribal communities...

Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by OVC Director Jessica E. Hart for the Domestic Violence Service Provider Roundtable

Welcome everyone. Thanks so much for being here today. This is such an important discussion to be having, especially right now in light of the pandemic.

Before we begin, I’d like to extend a special thank you to the Houston Astros for welcoming this exceptional group of domestic violence service providers to your facilities. And to the Astros Foundation for your commitment to raising awareness...

Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by OVC Director Jessica E. Hart During the Impact of the Pandemic on Serving Victims of Domestic Violence Roundtable

Welcome everyone, thanks so much being here today. This is such an important discussion to be having, especially right now in light of the pandemic.

Before we begin, I’d like to extend a special thank you to the National Domestic Violence Hotline for hosting this event. And to Katie Ray-Jones, Gloria Terry, and Jason Buckner for all the planning and coordination that went in to...

Office for Victims of Crime Awards Nearly $3 Million to Help Victims of Female Genital Mutilation or Cutting

Female genital mutilation or cutting refers to a barbaric practice involving partial or total removal of female genitalia or other injury to female genital organs for non-medical reasons. This terrible crime occurs in many parts of the world and is impacting victims here in the United States.

On Friday, October 30, 2020, the Office of Justice Programs announced that the Office for Victims of Crime...

Attorney General Barr Announces Awards Over $1.8 Billion in Funding to Assist Victims

On Tuesday, October 6, 2020, Attorney General Barr announced the Office for Victims of Crime release of awards totaling more than $1.8 billion to state victim assistance and compensation programs to fund thousands of local victim assistance programs across the country and provide millions in compensation to victims of crime.

Supported by the Crime Victims Fund, this formula grant program supports a broad array of programs...

Meet the 2020 National Crime Victims’ Service Awards Recipients

The Office for Victims of Crime annually recognizes individuals and organizations that demonstrate outstanding service in supporting victims.

The 2020 National Crime Victims’ Service Awards recipients were selected from nominations in a variety of categories for their vision, action, and leadership in seeking justice, ensuring victims’ rights, and inspiring hope.

In a video message, OVC Director Jessica E. Hart states that “among the honored...

Attorney General Barr Announces Funding to Improve Public Safety and Serve Crime Victims in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities

The Department of Justice has a long-standing commitment to improve public safety in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. During a visit to the Cherokee Nation on Wednesday, September 30, 2020, Attorney General Barr announced over $295 million in funding, of which approximately $118 million will be awarded by the Office for Victims of Crime.

“I am grateful to this Administration and the Department of...

Over $7.9 Million Awarded by Office for Victims of Crime to Improve Victim Services for Older Victims

In commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the International Day of Older Persons—a day in which we reaffirm our commitment to protecting and promoting the rights of seniors—Attorney General Barr announced $9.4 million in funding to programs serving older victims of fraud and abuse.

This announcement included nearly $6 million in Office for Victims of Crime funding to support direct services to older victims...

Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by OVC Director Jessica E. Hart During a Human Trafficking Roundtable in Georgia

Good afternoon, everyone! Thank you all for being here today, and more importantly thank you for your continued efforts combating human trafficking.

Thank you especially to Governor Kemp for hosting this discussion. I greatly appreciate everything you have been doing to make combatting trafficking a top priority in Georgia.

Also, a special thank you to First Lady Marty Kemp who has been with us throughout...

Director Hart Visits OVC-Funded Wellspring Living in Atlanta

OVC Site Visit to Wellspring Living
During a visit to Wellspring Living, an OVC grantee, Director Jessica Hart and Georgia First Lady Marty Kemp met survivors of human trafficking and learned about their residential and independent living programs.

On Wednesday, September 30, 2020, Director Hart and First Lady Marty Kemp met with Wellspring Living staff to learn more about their comprehensive care model for serving victims of human trafficking. Wellspring Living, a recipient of the recently awarded Office for Victims of Crime Fiscal Year 2020 housing assistance grants, provides domestic sex trafficking victims and those at risk with specialized recovery services through residential...

Director Hart Underscores Impact of Public/Private Partnerships on Human Trafficking Efforts During Georgia Visit

On Wednesday, September 30, 2020, Office for Victims of Crime Director Jessica Hart participated in a roundtable with anti-trafficking professionals, including Governor Brian Kemp; First Lady Marty Kemp; Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan; Georgia Attorney General Carr; GRACE Commission members; U.S. Attorneys BJay Pak, Charlie Peeler, and Bobby Christine; and Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Vic Reynolds.

The panel was convened to discuss combating human trafficking through public/private partnerships, as well as...

Video Message from Director Hart Commemorating National Campus Safety Awareness Month

To commemorate National Campus Safety Awareness Month, Office for Victims of Crime Director Jessica E. Hart released a video message.

“In the wake of the pandemic, it is more important than ever to commemorate this month as National Campus Safety Awareness Month and to commit ourselves to raising awareness about the safety on college and university campuses across the country” states Director Hart.

This...

Attorney General Barr Announces Nearly $100 Million in Office for Victims of Crime Funding to Fight Human Trafficking

On Monday, September 21, 2020, Attorney General Barr and Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump announced the release of nearly $100 million in Office for Victims of Crime funding during a meeting at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia. 

This funding, which includes the $35 million in funding for housing assistance announced during a recent White House event, will go towards...

Senior Advisor for Victims Services and Human Trafficking Program Director Woolf Speaks at Human Trafficking Summit

On Wednesday, September 9, 2020, Office for Victims of Crime Senior Advisor for Victims Services and Human Trafficking Program Director Bill Woolf spoke at the Human Trafficking Prevention and Awareness Summit, hosted by the Louisiana First Foundation.

Mr. Woolf discussed the Department of Justice’s efforts to combat human trafficking nationwide, led by the Office for Victims of Crime, including the Improving Outcomes for Child and...

Director Hart Discusses Opportunities to Support States at Administrators Conference

On Monday, August 31, 2020, Office for Victims of Crime Director Jessica E. Hart spoke at the 2020 Victims of Crime Act Administrators National Training Conference. This annual event hosts state Victims of Crime Act Administrators who manage formula victim compensation and assistance grant programs—the cornerstone of support for victims throughout the Nation.

Director Hart spoke about the importance of developing productive relationships with Administrators and...

Senior Advisor for Victims Services and Human Trafficking Program Director Woolf Speaks at Grantee Meeting on Elder Abuse

On Monday, August 31, 2020, Office for Victims of Crime Senior Advisor for Victims Services and Human Trafficking Program Director Bill Woolf spoke at a webinar hosted by the National Elder Multidisciplinary Team (E-MDT) Training and Technical Assistance Center for E-MDT grantees.

He discussed the commitment of the Office for Victims of Crime to serve older victims of financial fraud, including the March 2020 launch of...

Principal Deputy Director Woolf Speaks About Combating Sex Trafficking

On Thursday, August 27, 2020, Office for Victims of Crime Principal Deputy Director Bill Woolf spoke at the 2020 Virtual Law Enforcement & Human Trafficking Conference.

Principal Deputy Director Woolf, a former detective and human trafficking task force lead investigator, provided information to law enforcement personnel about the involvement of gangs in sex trafficking. He discussed the economics of sex trafficking and how gangs recruit...

Director Hart Discusses Services to Victims of Human Trafficking at Grantee Orientation

On Wednesday, August 26, 2020, Office for Victims of Crime Director Jessica E. Hart spoke at the FY 2019 Enhanced Collaborative Model Task Force to Combat Human Trafficking Grantee Orientation.

In her remarks, Director Hart addresses the challenges faced by human trafficking task forces to identify and serve victims during the pandemic and highlights the commitment by the Trump Administration and the Department of Justice...