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Public Awareness

Research & Evaluation

Research and Evaluation

Data on Crime Victimization

In FYs 2019 and 2020, OVC funded two partner agencies—the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS)—in their endeavors to generate, collect, and analyze quantitative and qualitative data on victimization, victim services, and related topics critical to the field.

OVC continued an interagency agreement with NIJ to support research for the field, including...

Support for Law Enforcement

Support for Law Enforcement

OVC supports partnerships with law enforcement agencies at the state, tribal, and local levels to combat crime, promote safer neighborhoods, and establish collaborations between police and the communities they protect. Through discretionary grant programs, OVC grantees help agencies provide effective, trauma-informed law enforcement practices to better serve all victims. OVC also funds national-scope discretionary programs to provide comprehensive services to victims...

OVC Discretionary Funding

OVC Discretionary Funding

OVC provides discretionary grants for national-scope demonstration projects and training and technical assistance (TTA) to enhance the professional expertise of victim service providers. These grants are competitively awarded to states, local government agencies, tribal governments, educational institutions, private nonprofit organizations, and individuals. Programs identify and implement promising practices, models, and initiatives; address gaps and needs in TTA; and fund demonstration programs that...

Formula Grants: VOCA Compensation and Assistance

Formula Grants: VOCA Compensation and Assistance

OVC administers two Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) formula grant programs that support crime victim compensation and assistance—the foundation of support for victims throughout the Nation. These formula grants account for approximately 95 percent of the VOCA funds that OVC disburses each year.

  • The VOCA Victim Compensation Grant Program provides funding to supplement state compensation programs that reimburse victims...

Innovative Practices

Innovative Practices

According to the National Crime Victimization Survey, only 8 percent of victims of violent crimes received help from a victim service agency in 2019—a decline of 11 percent from 2018. To improve this reality, the victim services field must diversify and expand existing strategies for providing victim assistance and create vital links to other fields that come into contact with victims of crime...

Elder Abuse and Financial Exploitation

Elder Abuse and Financial Exploitation

Older adults are especially vulnerable to violent crime, neglect, and exploitation, including financial fraud. The effects of these crimes can be devastating, and older adults may be targeted at rates that outpace the services available to help the growing number of victims. Not surprisingly, elder abuse results in a wide range of negative health impacts, including the increased likelihood of...

Antiterrorism Emergency Reserve

Antiterrorism Emergency Reserve

Following the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, Congress amended VOCA to authorize OVC to allocate up to $50 million per year from the Crime Victims Fund to establish the Antiterrorism Emergency Reserve (Reserve). The Reserve provides help primarily through funding for immediate and direct services for victims of terrorism and criminal mass violence within the United States and abroad, supplemental funding provided directly...

Funding Opportunity: 2021 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Community Awareness Projects

Apply for funding to raise public awareness about victims’ rights and services in your community during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 18–24, 2021.

Community Awareness Projects grants reimburse up to $5,000 in costs associated with conducting public awareness activities during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, including—

  • public events (including virtual events, candlelight vigils, information/resource fairs, 5k walk/runs);
  • mass media advertising; and
  • production, publication, and...

July 2020 Featured Resources

2021 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

In 2021, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week will be commemorated April 18–24. The theme—Support Victims. Build Trust. Engage Communities.— emphasizes the importance of leveraging community support to help victims of crime.

Subscribe to the National Crime Victims’ Rights Week subscription list, for the latest updates.
 

Submit Your Nominations for the 2021 National Crime Victims’...

Human Trafficking

View available OVC resources, awareness materials, and services for victims of labor and sex trafficking and victim service providers.

Events

Discover conferences, trainings, and other events to help raise awareness of crime victims' issues and build your knowledge to serve, support, and work with victims in your community.

Featured Resources

View OVC news and announcements about crime victim services and assistance updated monthly.