Frequently Asked Questions

Select OVC publications and products are available to order. Contact our Response Center for assistance.

OVC Response Center
Phone: 202-772-1022
Email: askovc@ncjrs.gov

The United States uses two national data collection systems to track detailed information on homicides.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation's annual Uniform Crime Reporting Program reports provide homicide data from thousands of law enforcement agencies across the Nation.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also publish annual homicide data in the National Vital Statistics System, Fatal Injury Reports. Mortality data are produced from standardized death certificates filed throughout the United States.

Read the Bureau of Justice Statistic’s report The Nation's Two Measures of Homicide for information about these two data collection systems.

Family members of homicide victims can find support groups in their area by contacting the National Organization of Parents Of Murdered Children and The Compassionate Friends.

For additional information, visit the Homicide Victims/Co-Survivors Topic page on our website.

Visit our Help for Victims microsite to learn about resources and services for victims of crime.

Another source of help is your local victim/witness assistance program. You may contact the VictimConnect helpline by phone or text at 855-484-2846 or online chat for a referral in your area.

Find out more in this brochure, What You Can Do If You Are a Victim of Crime, which includes a brief overview of OVC, your rights, and where you can get help.

Intimate partner homicide statistics are available in the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s annual Uniform Crime Reporting system.

For additional information, visit our Intimate Partner Violence and Homicide Survivors/Co-Survivors Topic pages.