Overview
OVC administers the Crime Victims Fund (the Fund), which is financed by fines and penalties from convictions in federal cases, not from tax dollars. Federal revenues deposited into the Fund also come from gifts, donations, and bequests by private parties. OVC channels funding for victim compensation and assistance throughout the United States, raises awareness about victims’ issues, promotes compliance with victims’ rights laws, and provides training and technical assistance and publications and products to victim assistance professionals.
Formula Funding
Compensation and Assistance Services
State victim assistance and compensation programs are the lifeline services that help victims to heal in the aftermath of crime. Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) formula grants for crime victim compensation are awarded to every state, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and Puerto Rico. These grants supplement state funds that reimburse victims for out-of-pocket expenses resulting from the crime.
VOCA formula grants for crime victim assistance, awarded through subgrants to state agencies and local service providers, support direct services to crime victims in every state, the District of Columbia, and every territory. Through the VOCA Assistance Formula Grant Program, OVC supports thousands of victim assistance programs throughout the United States and its territories each year.
Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Program
OVC is charged by Congress with administering set-aside funds from the Crime Victims Fund for a Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside program that provides support to Tribal communities to enhance services for victims of crime. This formula grant program supports American Indian and Alaska Native communities as they walk in healing with survivors and victims of crime.
Discretionary Funding
Organizations compete for OVC’s discretionary funds by applying for specific funding opportunities designed to support local victim service providers or national-scope demonstration and service projects.
Program Development
OVC is dedicated to a constant improvement in the national response to crime victims by:
- Identifying emerging needs and gaps in existing services.
- Enhancing the skill sets of service providers to better meet these needs.
- Promoting greater public awareness of the issues that crime victims face.
Training and Technical Assistance
OVC works to ensure that every victim has access to a well-trained and knowledgeable service provider. OVC’s Training and Technical Assistance Center offers training opportunities for providers and advocates at all levels of victim services.
Information Resources
The OVC Resource Center produces and disseminates publications and products for victim service providers and other key audiences and links these professionals to OVC’s program information.
In the biennial report to Congress, OVC details its major undertakings during the previous 2 fiscal years. For more information about how OVC works to improve community and criminal justice responses to victims, make services and resources more accessible, and expand the range and quality of services for victims nationwide and around the world, read the What Is OVC Fact Sheet and the 2023 OVC Report to the Nation: Fiscal Years 2021-2022 Helping Victims Find Their Justice.