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Victim Rights

2020 National Crime Victims' Rights Week Message from the OVC Director

Dear Colleague,

Each April, we pause to celebrate the many advances in crime victim support in our nation: victim engagement in the criminal justice system, increasing availability of services, and recognition of rights for all victims and survivors. We also seek to ensure justice for those victims whose voices have yet to be heard.

At the end of March, I was sworn in as the...

Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by OVC Director Jessica E. Hart During a Webinar Hosted by the National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA)

Good afternoon! Thank you to the wonderful people at NOVA who worked hard to make today's webinar happen. And a special thanks to Claire Selib for offering me the opportunity to introduce myself to the NOVA community.

I was appointed the Director of OVC in late March, in the midst of the COVID spread, so this has been an unusual time to join OVC. But...

Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by OVC Director Jessica E. Hart During a Webinar Hosted by the Ohio Attorney General's Office

Good morning! Thank you, Attorney General Yost, and all the staff in your office who worked hard to make today's webinar happen. I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to introduce myself and share a bit about the Office for Victims of Crime.

As previously mentioned, I was appointed the Director of OVC, a component of the Office of Justice Programs at the Department of Justice, in...

2019 NCVRW Theme Video Clip

March 2019

The 2019 National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW) Theme Video Clip celebrates the progress made by those before us as we look to a future of crime victim services that is even more inclusive, accessible, and trauma-informed. The video offers English and Spanish subtitles. Visit www.ovc.gov/ncvrw to learn more about NCVRW.

Victim Rights and Services

Being a victim of crime and navigating the criminal justice system can be a frightening and confusing experience. But with funding authorized under the Victims of Crime Act of 1984, and through the dedicated efforts of advocates, lawmakers, victim service providers, and allied professionals there is an extensive range of services and resources available to help victims heal and obtain justice.

Notice

Numerous government agencies...

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 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...

Now Online: 2020 National Crime Victims' Rights Week Resource Guide

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

The 2020 National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW) Resource Guide is now available online. This year, NCVRW will be commemorated April 19–25.

The 2020 NCVRW Resource Guide provides a wealth of materials, in both English and Spanish, to educate the public about victims' rights, protections, and services during NCVRW and throughout the year. The online guide includes—

  • guidance on developing your campaign,
  • tips and tools...

April 2020 Featured Resources

National Crime Victims' Rights Week is April 19–25, 2020

The 2020 National Crime Victims' Rights Week theme—Seek Justice | Ensure Victims' Rights | Inspire Hope—commemorates the individuals and groups whose advocacy has propelled the victims' rights movement forward for the past half century, inspiring in victims and their loved ones a feeling of hope for progress, justice, and healing.

The 2020 National Crime...