Recently Released: Child Victims and Witnesses Support Materials
Navigating the justice system can be intimidating, confusing, and overwhelming for children.
OVC’s Child Victims and Witnesses Support Materials includes illustrated narratives featuring compelling graphics and child and youth characters to explain how the justice and child welfare systems work in a child-friendly and developmentally appropriate way.
Materials are available for three different age groups: 2–6, 7–12, and 13–18.
Based on the input of national experts, these materials teach children—
- how the justice system works,
- what their rights are,
- the roles of the different practitioners they’ll meet, and
- how they can cope with the difficult feelings they might have.
For children who have to testify, there are also tips to help them prepare for going to court.
An accompanying Guide for Practitioners and a Guide for Parents and Caregivers provide additional information on how to use the materials, as well as tips for supporting child victims and witnesses.
View Child Victims and Witnesses Support Materials.
Submit Your Nominations for the 2022 National Crime Victims’ Service Awards
Do you know an individual, organization, team, or program that you would like to see recognized for their work in supporting victims and expanding access to justice across all communities?
If so, submit your nominations for the 2022 National Crime Victims’ Service Awards by 11:59 p.m. eastern time on Monday, August 2, 2021.
In 2022, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) will be commemorated April 24–30 and, during NCVRW, we will honor the recipients at the annual National Crime Victims’ Service Awards Ceremony.
July 30 is World Day Against Trafficking in Persons
Join OVC to commemorate World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on July 30, this annual day of awareness seeks to recognize the need to “work towards an enhanced comprehensive and coordinated approach to prevent and combat trafficking and to protect and assist victims of trafficking in persons …”
OVC is the largest federal funder of services for human trafficking victims in the Nation, managing approximately 400 grant awards, totaling over $260 million dollars, in 48 states, 1 territory, and Washington, D.C.
During Fiscal Years 2016–2020, OVC human trafficking grantees reported serving more than 40,000 total clients. Services provided include, but are not limited to, ongoing case management, legal services, employment assistance, safety planning, education, housing and rental assistance, and mental health treatment.
Read The Office for Victims of Crime: An Ongoing Commitment to Victims of Human Trafficking and visit our Human Trafficking microsite for more information about OVC efforts to ensure that support and services are available to all victims of human trafficking.
OVC also supports anti-trafficking professionals through training and technical assistance and other resources.
A Roadmap for Anti-Human Trafficking Task Forces
A multidisciplinary anti-human trafficking task force supports and encourages a collaborative effort among local, state, and federal law enforcement, prosecutors, and victim service providers.
The Development and Operations Roadmap for Multidisciplinary Anti-Human Trafficking Task Forces provides new and experienced anti-human trafficking task forces, including those funded through the Enhanced Collaborative Model Task Force to Combat Human Trafficking program, with guidance to assess and plan task force development from start to sustainability.
The roadmap was produced by the International Association of Chiefs of Police, with funding from OVC and the Bureau of Justice Assistance.
Find additional resources on the OVC Human Trafficking microsite.