Victims
OVC Help Series for Crime Victims: Stalking
OVC Help Series for Crime Victims: Impaired Driving
OVC Help Series for Crime Victims: Homicide
OVC Help Series for Victims of Crime: Domestic Violence
OVC Help Series for Crime Victims
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...
The Office for Victims of Crime Honors Nation’s Law Enforcement During National Police Week
Each May we pause and pay tribute to the local, Tribal, state, and federal law enforcement officers who have devoted their lives to safeguarding our own. Attorney General William P. Barr asks all Americans this week “to join me in saying ‘thank you’ to our nation’s federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement officers. Their devotion and sacrifice to our peace and security will not...
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...
Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by OVC Director Jessica E. Hart During the 2020 Spring VOCA Administrators Virtual Meeting
Thanks so much Katie. Good afternoon or morning to those of you on the west coast!
Before I get started, I want highlight the focus Katie has had on this program and working with all of you.
When I first came on-board, she stressed to me the importance of the work you all do and she made it a priority to make sure you are...
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Message from OVC Director Jessica Hart
Today is the fifteenth anniversary of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. In the shadow of a pandemic that has disproportionately affected senior populations, we come together to raise awareness about elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
For too long elder abuse—a term that encompasses physical abuse, financial fraud, scams and exploitation, caregiver neglect and abandonment, psychological abuse, and sexual abuse—was a hidden epidemic. But as the...
First of its Kind Report Provides Data on Victim Service Providers in U.S.
The National Census of Victim Service Providers is the first-ever national data collection of programs responding to victims and survivors of crime and abuse. The recently released report, Victim Service Providers in the United States, 2017, provides the most comprehensive picture of the victim services field to date.
The census was conducted by the Bureau of Justice Statistics with support from OVC.
According to...
Clarification of Allowable Costs for Victim Assistance Programs
OVC anticipates that it will upload the final VOCA formula victim assistance rule during the first week of July. It will become effective 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. In the interim, OVC is sending this communication to VOCA Administrators to again clarify what is allowable under the current guidelines for transitional housing and legal assistance.
Regarding legal assistance, victim assistance programs can...
Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Formula Victim Assistance Rule
Message to Compensation Administrators: Change in the Financial Guide Regarding Payments to Crime Victims
The Use of VOCA Victim Assistance Program Funds for APS Intake Workers
In all states, some form of adult protective services (APS) exists to receive reports of elder abuse. Some states utilize a statewide hotline for receiving reports of elder abuse (intake), while other states maintain a system of local level intake. Intake is conducted, among other things, to determine whether victim services should be the only referral or whether a more system-delivered response is indicated (i.e...
Center for Victim Research Launches Website to Help Improve Victim Services
Read Updated Answers to VOCA Formula Victim Assistance Rule Frequently Asked Questions
Funding Opportunity: OVC FY 2020 State Victim Liaison Project
OVC is seeking applicants for the OVC FY 2020 State Victim Liaison Project solicitation.
The State Victim Liaison Project will place one or more experienced crime victim liaison(s) within selected Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) State Administrating Agencies to help states enhance services to:
- crime victims who reside in rural/tribal areas, and/or
- older victims (aged 60 years or older) of any crime, and/or
- victims of...
SARS Clarification, VOCApedia Monthly Update, and Other November Updates
A Copy of an Email Sent by Kathrina S. Peterson, OVC Acting Deputy Director, on December 17, 2019
Good Evening Administrators,
We are excited to share with you many updates from OVC. This email is long, but full of good nuggets of information for both Compensation and Assistance Administrators. Keep reading and don’t panic!
SARS Update & Clarification: We recognize that we issued conflicting...
OVC Winter 2020 Update: VOCApedia, Solicitations, New PMT Resources, and More
FY 2020 VOCA Assistance and Compensation Solicitations and Allocation Tables
The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) has released the FY 2020 VOCA Victim Compensation and Victim Assistance allocation tables:
OVC is accepting applications for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Assistance and Compensation formula solicitations. Applications for both solicitations are due by Monday, June 1, 2020.
OVC FY 2020 VOCA Victim Assistance
All applicants must register in OJP’s Grants Management System...
American Indian & Alaska Native Victim Services Resources
Learn about OVC Tribal initiatives, partnerships with other agencies and organizations, and dynamic videos to raise awareness of culturally sensitive, victim-centered programs.