Frequently Asked Questions

According to the Victim Compensation Program Guidelines, at a minimum, the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) requires states to award compensation for medical expenses, mental health counseling, lost wages, and funeral expenses when they are attributable to a compensable crime.

For more information regarding expenses covered in your state, please contact your State Victim Compensation Program.

For a complete listing of OVC’s online trainings, visit the Online Training section of the OVC Training and Technical Assistance Center site.

Visit the Professional Development Scholarship Program section of the OVC TTAC website for specific eligibility requirements and application information.

At most military installations, the military legal office is the central point of contact for victim and witness assistance. You can call the base, post, or installation legal office and ask for the Victim and Witness Assistance Coordinator. To find information on specific U.S. military installations, go to Defense.gov and select the appropriate military branch.

Additionally, victims of sexual assault can confidentially contact the DoD Safe Helpline.

Visit the Get Posted section of the OVC Directory of Crime Victim Services for information on how to add your program or organization to the Directory.

The Tribal Resource Tool, a website funded by OVC, provides a searchable map of programs throughout the United States that offer services to American Indian/Alaskan Native crime victims. The Tribal Resource Tool includes services for—

• all ages of American Indian/Alaskan Native survivors and victims;
• all forms of victimization;
• all locations (on or off reservations, in areas that are remote, rural, urban, or suburban); and
• all needs of victims, including justice, safety, healing, and support.

If you applied for victim compensation through your state victim compensation program and have any questions, including information about the status of your claim, contact your state victim compensation program directly. A list of state victim compensation programs is available on our Help in Your State page.

Visit the OVC Help for Victims microsite to find additional information and referrals which may also assist you.

Information on government efforts to combat human trafficking can be found on the Human Trafficking section of our website and on the following websites:

• U.S. Department of Justice: Human Trafficking
• U.S. Department of State: Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons
• Office of Justice Programs: Human Trafficking Special Feature

An extensive range of services and resources is available to help crime victims obtain justice and heal. Review What You Can Do If You Are a Victim of Crime, the Help for Victims section of our site, and the Victim Rights and Services section of our website for information.

Visit the Training and Technical Assistance section of the OVC Training and Technical Assistance Center website for specific eligibility requirements and application information for training and technical assistance or requesting an event speaker.  

Requests for assistance must be submitted at least 90 days prior to the date of the event.