National Human Trafficking Prevention Month
Every January, the Nation commemorates National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. In his Presidential Proclamation, President Biden states, "we reaffirm our commitment to ending this inhumane and immoral practice in all its forms. And as we bring perpetrators to justice, we renew our pledge to help survivors recover and rebuild their lives."
2023 Collaboration, Transformation, and Impact: 20 Years of OVC’s Anti-Trafficking Efforts Commemoration Guide
In 2023, OVC will mark 20 years of conducting anti-trafficking efforts and providing important funding and resources to the field. Join OVC in raising awareness about human trafficking victims’ rights and services, celebrating progress, and honoring survivors and the professionals who serve them.
This year, OVC offers a commemoration guide to help your organization develop and carry out its anti-trafficking awareness campaigns during National Human Trafficking Prevention Month and throughout the year.
The theme OVC chose for the guide is Collaboration, Transformation, and Impact, which celebrates OVC’s two decades of anti-trafficking efforts and underscores the importance of helping human trafficking survivors find their justice.
The guide contains outreach tools and sample materials, including sample social media and blog posts, to help you quickly and capably develop and carry out your anti-trafficking campaign.
The guide also offers resources to help your organization—
- forge partnerships with other organizations (Collaboration),
- grow by learning about successful ways to identify and serve survivors (Transformation), and
- assess the impact of programing and take steps to improve efficiency and effectiveness (Impact).
Public Awareness Toolkit From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Discover additional resources to raise awareness about human trafficking in the Human Trafficking Prevention Month Toolkit 2023. The toolkit contains sample social media posts, sample email and newsletter content, and resources highlighting the importance of forging partnerships and collaboration to prevent and respond to human trafficking.
Materials to Support Child Victims and Witnesses of Human Trafficking
OVC offers a series of graphic novels and associated guides for young victims and witnesses involved in human trafficking cases, and the practitioners and caregivers supporting them.
Designed for youth, aged 12−18, the materials feature young characters who are involved in the justice system as witnesses or victims of human trafficking. A companion book is also available that helps youth understand their rights and the roles of the professionals they might meet.
Guides for practitioners and parents and caregivers provide information on how to use the materials. They include tips for supporting youth who have experienced human trafficking as they navigate the justice system.
These materials are part of OVC’s Child Victims and Witnesses Support Materials.
Additional Anti-Trafficking Resources
Discover publications, training and technical assistance, and more on our Human Trafficking Microsite.
National Stalking Awareness Month
In his National Stalking Awareness Month proclamation, President Biden states, "we shine a light on the insidious crime of stalking, recommit to protecting survivors, and reaffirm that every American deserves to live free from fear, intimidation, and threats to their physical safety and emotional well-being."
Visit the National Stalking Awareness Month website for ready-to-use resources to help your organization promote awareness. This Stalking Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center site is funded by the Office on Violence Against Women.
For tools to help you build awareness and serve victims of crime, visit the following websites—
- OVC's Stalking Topic page contains publications, answers to frequently asked questions, and resources.
- OVC’s Mobile Apps page contains resources for victims of stalking, including the Tech Safety App, an OVC-funded app from the National Network to End Domestic Violence.
- The Office of Justice Programs’ Stalking Special Feature highlights research and resources.
Identity Theft Awareness Week
January 30–February 3, 2023, is Identity Theft Awareness Week.
Approximately 9 percent of persons in the United States age 16 or older—more than 23 million people—reported being victims of identity theft during the prior 12 months, according to 2018 Bureau of Justice Statistics data.
Discover sample resources to help you raise awareness on the Federal Trade Commission’s 2023 Identity Theft Awareness Week page. The page also features podcasts, webinars, and other events to help you understand the latest trends in identity theft.
OVC offers a free, self-paced online training to help service providers more effectively serve victims of identity theft and assist with their financial and emotional recovery. Learn more and register for the Identity Theft Victim Assistance Online Training: Supporting Victims' Financial and Emotional Recovery.
View the Center for Victim Research’s Identity Theft and Fraud Research Report, which summarizes evidence from research and practice to identify what we know and where the field needs to grow to improve our Nation’s response to identity fraud and other fraud victimization. This OVC-funded report highlights the importance of understanding the varied needs of identity theft and fraud victims as an important step to improve practitioners’ responses to them.
OVC grantee, the Identity Theft Resource Center, offers identity recovery assistance. Victims of identity theft can contact the Center toll free at 888-400-5530 or through live chat Monday–Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. eastern time.
In FY 2022, OVC also awarded $2 Million to the Identity Theft Resource Center to enhance and expand its national hotline operations, which will allow the Center to respond to new threats and challenges for victims of identity theft and cybercrime.
The Identity Theft Resource Center also publishes information to help service providers and others understand trends in identity theft. Their 2021 Consumer Aftermath Report describes the emotional and practical effects on the day-to-day lives of identity theft victims.
Visit our Identity Theft topic page for additional information on serving victims of this crime.
2023 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW)
NCVRW will be commemorated this year from April 23–29.
The 2023 theme—Survivor Voices: Elevate. Engage. Effect Change.—calls upon communities to amplify the voices of survivors and commit to creating an environment where survivors have the confidence that they will be heard, believed, and supported.
Save the date for the 2023 NCVRW Candlelight Vigil, which will be held on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, in Washington, D.C. During this event, OVC will pay tribute to victims of crime and the many dedicated professionals and volunteers who advocate on their behalf.
Sign up, or update your preferences, for the NCVRW Subscription List to receive important updates about NCVRW, including the release of the 2023 artwork and Resource Guide.