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News and announcements

New Video Educates Consumers How to Identify Debt Scammers

The video describes the warning signs of debt collection fraud, including threats of jail time and pressuring the consumer into making a decision quickly. It's important to ask questions, become fully informed about the debt, and not be pressured by illegal threats.

October 2019 Featured Resources

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

President Trump proclaimed that October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In his proclamation, the President states "We strive to eliminate domestic violence in all its horrific forms in order to sustain the hope of a better life for victims and to foster safer homes and relationships for all Americans."

The proclamation also highlights "in fiscal years 2018...

Funding Opportunity: OVC FY 2020 Improving Community Preparedness to Assist Victims of Mass Violence or Domestic Terrorism: Training and Technical Assistance Project

OVC Funding Opportunity: Apply Now

OVC is seeking applicants for the OVC FY 2020 Improving Community Preparedness to Assist Victims of Mass Violence or Domestic Terrorism: Training and Technical Assistance Project solicitation.

This project will provide training, technical assistance, and support to enable communities to augment their existing emergency response plans to ensure that they include effective protocols and strategies to address the immediate and long-term needs of victims, families...

Funding Opportunity: OVC FY 2020 Housing Assistance Grants for Victims of Human Trafficking

OVC announces the release of the OVC FY 2020 Housing Assistance Grants for Victims of Human Trafficking solicitation.

The program will support—

  1. transitional housing, including funding for the operating expenses of a newly developed or existing transitional housing program; and

  2. short-term housing assistance, including rental or utilities payment assistance and assistance with related expenses.

Projects must also include support services designed to enable victims of...

Funding Opportunity: FY 2020 Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation

The U.S. Department of Justice is seeking applicants for its Fiscal Year 2020 Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS).

CTAS provides comprehensive funding to federally recognized Tribes, Tribal consortia, and Tribal designees to develop a comprehensive and coordinated approach to public safety and victimization.

CTAS applicants have the flexibility to submit a single application and select from any or all of the purpose areas, including...

OVC Resources for National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month

Every January, our nation commemorates National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

This year, OVC celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, which established the importance of holding traffickers criminally accountable, protecting victims, and preventing victimization from occurring in the first place. Learn more about some of OVC's work in supporting anti-trafficking professionals over the past 20 years.

Since the Trafficking Victims...

Attend a Tribal Consultation on Tribal Set-Aside Funding from the Crime Victims Fund

OVC invites Tribal leaders, representatives, and stakeholders to participate in a Tribal Consultation on Tribal Set-Aside Funding from the Crime Victims Fund. Attendees will discuss tribal set-aside funding and how it can be programmed.

An in-person government to government consultation will be held on Wednesday, February 12, 2020, from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m., in conjunction with the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) 2020 Executive...

Trainings Available to Help Rural and Tribal Organizations Apply for Funding

The Office of Justice Programs is sponsoring a training series to educate rural and Tribal organizations and agencies on how to apply for funding opportunities.

Representatives from the Office for Victims of Crime, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and the Bureau of Justice Assistance will provide an overview of the grants application process. They will also highlight funding application requirements and identify...

Register for a New Online Training on Human Trafficking

OVC recently announced the release of the new Understanding Human Trafficking training at the Human Trafficking Grantee Meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

OVC invites victim service providers, allied professionals, and interested members of the general public to register for this new training, a series of five interactive online modules that offer foundational learning on trauma-informed and victim-centered approaches to human trafficking.

The Understanding Human Trafficking...

Now Online: 2020 NCVRW Guide Artwork and Sample Proclamation

National Crime Victims' Rights Week, April 19-25, 2020

Every April, OVC leads the nation in its observance of National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW). This year's theme—Seek Justice | Ensure Victims' Rights | Inspire Hope—will guide communities as they promote victims' rights and services from April 19–25.

Use these 2020 NCVRW resources to help plan your events and raise awareness:

  • Theme Artwork
  • Customizable Theme Poster
  • Web Artwork
  • Sample Proclamation

Download 2020...

Funding Opportunity: OVC FY 2020 Law Enforcement-Based Victim Specialist Program

OVC Funding Opportunity: Apply Now

OVC is seeking applicants for the OVC FY 2020 Law Enforcement-Based Victim Specialist Program solicitation.

The goal of this program is to assist state, Tribal, and local law enforcement agencies in developing or enhancing victim specialist programs that connect victims and families to much-needed services.

Apply under four purpose areas based on the size or type of law enforcement agency (small, mid-size, large, or Tribal)...

Funding Opportunity: OVC FY 2020 Crime Victim Compensation Program Assessment

OVC Funding Opportunity: Apply Now

OVC is seeking applicants for the OVC FY 2020 Crime Victim Compensation Program Assessment solicitation.

During this three-phase project, successful applicants will seek to increase awareness of victim compensation programs and interest in seeking victim compensation.

Phase 1: Conduct an assessment of the state's current compensation program, policies, and procedures regarding victims' access to compensation, which should include an analysis of applicable rules, regulations...

Funding Opportunity: OVC FY 2020 Crime Victims' Rights Legal Clinics

OVC Funding Opportunity: Apply Now

OVC is seeking applicants for the OVC FY 2020 Crime Victims' Rights Legal Clinics solicitation.

This initiative is intended to support or expand federal, state, local, and Tribal efforts to enforce crime victims' rights. Applicants may apply under the following purpose areas—

  • Purpose Area 1: victims' rights legal clinics that will provide the enforcement of crime victims' rights in the criminal justice process, and
  • Purpose...

Funding Opportunity: OVC FY 2020 Addressing Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting

OVC Funding Opportunity: Apply Now

OVC is seeking applicants for OVC FY 2020 Addressing Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting (FGM) solicitation.

The goal of this program is to deliver programming to address and help stop the practice of FGM by—

  1. educating law enforcement, public health professionals, and educators on detecting at-risk girls in localities where FGM is a risk,
  2. responding to victims by providing appropriate services, and
  3. forming community networks...

Funding Opportunity: OVC FY 2020 Enhancing Services for Older Victims of Abuse and Financial Exploitation

Apply for the OVC FY 2020 Enhancing Services for Older Victims of Abuse and Financial Exploitation solicitation.

OVC is seeking applications to implement projects intended to improve outcomes, minimize additional trauma, and restore safety and security to older adult victims of abuse and financial exploitation.

Priority will be given to applicants that—

  • address specific challenges that rural communities face,
  • demonstrate that the individuals who are...

Funding Opportunity: OVC FY 2020 Expanding SANE Services to Victims of Sexual Assault on Campus

OVC Funding Opportunity: Apply Now

Apply for the OVC FY 2020 Expanding SANE Services to Victims of Sexual Assault on Campus solicitation.

OVC is seeking applications to establish or expand Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) programs that will offer medical forensic care, advocacy, and other victim services to sexual assault survivors on college campuses.

To the extent possible, campuses should collaborate with victim service providers in the community in which...

Funding Opportunity: OVC FY 2020 Enhancing Community Responses to America’s Addiction Crisis: Serving Our Youngest Crime Victims

OVC Funding Opportunity: Apply Now

OVC is seeking applicants for the OVC FY 2020 Enhancing Community Responses to America’s Addiction Crisis: Serving Our Youngest Crime Victims solicitation.

Applicants may apply under only one of the following purpose areas—

  • Purpose Area 1: direct services to children and youth who are crime victims as a result of the nation’s addiction crisis, and
  • Purpose Area 2: training and technical assistance for the direct...