News and announcements
2021 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Color Palette and Theme Poster
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week will be commemorated April 18–24, 2021 and the theme—Support Victims. Build Trust. Engage Communities.—emphasizes the importance of leveraging community support to help victims of crime.
In preparation for April 2021, we are pleased to announce the online release of the National Crime Victims’ Rights Week color palette and Theme Poster.
- Theme Colors: View the 2021 color palette for...
December 2020 Featured Resources
November 2020 Featured Resources
National Native American Heritage Month
Every November, we commemorate National Native American Heritage Month. In his proclamation, President Trump states “This month, as we recommit to supporting Native American Tribes and people, we resolve to work side-by-side with their leaders to secure stronger, safer communities and preserve their sacred heritage for future generations.”
The Department of Justice has a long-standing commitment to improving public...
Video Showcases Financial Management Services Available to Tribal Grantees
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A new video highlights services available to Office for Victims of Crime Tribal grantees through the Office for Victims of Crime Tribal Financial Management Center.
In this video, learn how the Tribal Financial Management Center supports Tribal grantees in successfully managing the financial aspects and reporting requirements of their Office for Victims of Crime awards.
Highly trained specialists answer questions and provide individualized training and...
Funding Opportunity: 2021 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Community Awareness Projects
Apply for funding to raise public awareness about victims’ rights and services in your community during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 18–24, 2021.
Community Awareness Projects grants reimburse up to $5,000 in costs associated with conducting public awareness activities during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, including—
- public events (including virtual events, candlelight vigils, information/resource fairs, 5k walk/runs);
- mass media advertising; and
- production, publication, and...
Just Launched: Human Trafficking Capacity Building Center Website
Twenty years ago, Congress passed the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. This landmark legislation provided a framework for protecting victims, holding traffickers criminally accountable, and preventing victimization from occurring in the first place.
As part of our commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, the Office for Victims of Crime is launching the Human Trafficking Capacity Building Center website.
The Center offers...
Twenty Years of Progress in the Anti-Trafficking Movement
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. Prior to the passage of the Act, the United States relied on traditional laws prohibiting involuntary servitude; however, these laws often fell short of addressing modern day forms of human trafficking.
This landmark legislation recognized the importance of protecting victims, holding traffickers criminally accountable, and preventing victimization from occurring in the first...
$13.5 Million Awarded to Help Child Victims of America’s Addiction Crisis
President Trump is leading America’s effort to combat America’s addiction crisis by coordinating the efforts of Federal agencies working to help solve this crisis.
On Friday, October 16, 2020, the Department of Justice announced approximately $13.5 million in awards to 19 organizations under the Office for Victims of Crime Enhancing Community Responses to America's Addiction Crisis: Serving Our Youngest Crime Victims program. Funding...
October 2020 Featured Resources
Meet the 2020 National Crime Victims’ Service Awards Recipients
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The Office for Victims of Crime annually recognizes individuals and organizations that demonstrate outstanding service in supporting victims.
The National Crime Victims’ Service Awards recipients are selected from nominations in a variety of categories for their vision, action, and leadership to improve the lives of victims in the aftermath of crime.
In a video message...
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...
Director Hart Visits Austin, Texas to Hear from Providers About Serving Victims During the Pandemic
Office for Victims of Crime Director Jessica E. Hart visited Austin, Texas on Wednesday, October 14, 2020, to hear from the field and announce grant awards to national and state programs.
Director Hart began her day with a tour of the National Domestic Violence Hotline. The Hotline, funded in part by the Office for Victims of Crime, operates 24 hours a day, 365 days...
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...
The Justice Department Announces Awards to Support and Enhance Victim Services
On Tuesday, October 6, 2020, Attorney General Barr announced that the Office of Justice Programs awarded grants over $144 million to enhance services for victims of crime across the United States. Approximately $64.3 million of this funding was awarded by the Office for Victims of Crime.
Among the programs funded by the Office for Victims of Crime are crime victims' rights legal clinics, services to older...
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
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.
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“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...