U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

Formula Grants (VOCA Compensation Programs and VOCA Assistance Programs)

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...

2019 Report to the Nation

Introduction

The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) is pleased to present this report of activities during fiscal years (FY) 2017 and 2018. Every year, OVC supports millions of victims of crime as they heal from their victimization and rebuild their lives. The core of this support is the Crime Victims Fund (the Fund), which is financed by fines, bond forfeitures, and penalties stemming from...

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...

VOCA Compensation Highlights

VOCA Compensation Highlights

OVC’s VOCA Compensation Formula Grant Program reimburses victims for financial losses resulting from their victimization. OVC disburses these funds to supplement state programs that provide financial assistance and reimbursement to victims for crime-related expenses, including medical and dental care, counseling, funeral and burial expenses, and lost wages. Compensation programs may also reimburse victims for other types of expenses related to their victimization...

Serving Victims Everywhere

Serving Victims Everywhere

OVC believes that crime victims should have access to the evidence-based services and support they need to begin their physical, emotional, and financial recovery. However, OVC recognizes that there are serious challenges to achieving this goal. Strengthening connections across allied fields to expand the availability and quality of services that impact a victim’s healing are among these challenges.

Center for Victim Research...

2021 Report to the Nation

Introduction

The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) is pleased to present this report of activities during fiscal years (FY) 2019 and 2020. Every year, OVC supports millions of victims of crime. The core of this support is the Crime Victims Fund (the Fund), which is financed not by tax dollars, but by fines, bond forfeitures, and penalties from offenders in federal cases. In FY...

Victims of the Addiction Crisis

Victims of the Addiction Crisis

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Adverse Childhood Experiences Study, parental substance abuse is one adverse childhood experience associated with a range of negative outcomes later in life. Children and youth who are exposed to parental substance abuse may be at greater risk for crime victimization during their lifetimes, including child abuse and neglect, human trafficking, intimate...

Capacity-Building Overview

Capacity-Building Overview

OVC programming in FYs 2019 and 2020 focused on building capacity in a number of key areas. OVC supported many programs to combat human trafficking and help survivors of this terrible crime; and to plan for, respond to, and serve victims of acts of terrorism and mass violence. OVC also strengthened its support for a wide range of law enforcement organizations and their...

VOCA Assistance Highlights

VOCA Assistance Highlights

OVC’s VOCA Assistance Formula Grant Program supports thousands of victim assistance programs throughout the Nation annually. OVC’s funding of these programs—through subgrants to state agencies and local service providers—provides help for individuals, families, and communities recovering from both the immediate and prolonged effects of victimization.

VOCA assistance supports crisis counseling, telephone and onsite information and referrals, criminal justice support and advocacy, emergency...

Public Awareness

Public Awareness

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

In April 2020, OVC sponsored the annual commemoration of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW). The theme—Seek Justice. Ensure Victims’ Rights. Inspire Hope—recognized that education on crime victims’ rights is key to ensuring that all participants in the criminal justice process acknowledge and support those rights. The theme also invited us to celebrate the individuals and...

Message From the Director

Message From the Director

The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) was established as part of the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs in 1988 through an amendment to the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (VOCA). VOCA and OVC institutionalized a decades-long movement to articulate and enforce the rights of crime victims in the justice system and to offer comprehensive services to victims...

Tribal Communities

Tribal Communities

American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) suffer from one of the highest rates of victimization in the country. Cultural differences, remote locations, and challenging jurisdictional issues make providing victim services in tribal communities complex. In its work with tribes, OVC pays particular attention to government-to-government relationships with our tribal government grantees and to supporting tribes in providing culturally appropriate services for victims.

Tribal...

Terrorism and Mass Violence

Terrorism and Mass Violence

In recent years, the Nation has experienced a surge in incidents of mass violence and domestic terrorism. These tragedies have affected a range of communities—from small rural areas to large urban populations—and various locations, such as schools, workplaces, nightclubs, and public settings. As the frequency of these tragedies increases, OVC recognizes the need to become better prepared and equipped with the...

State Formula Grants

State Formula Grants

OVC administers two formula grant programs that support crime victim compensation and assistance, described above—the VOCA Victim Compensation Formula Grant Program and the VOCA Victim Assistance Formula Grant Program. Every year, OVC awards each eligible state and territory a VOCA victim compensation formula grant to supplement state funds that reimburse victims for out-of-pocket expenses resulting from crime, such as medical and dental...

Charging and Certification of Sexual Assault Forensic Exams to Compensation Programs

February 19, 2021

A Copy of an Email Sent by Kathrina S. Peterson, OVC Deputy Director, on January 25, 2021

Good Afternoon Everyone,

We are providing the attached memorandum to provide clarification on the charging and certification of sexual assault forensic exams to the Crime Victims Fund Compensation Program. The Office of the Inspector General recommended that we provide clarification on this issue, particularly regarding...

Compensation and Crowdfunding/Check-ins with Grant Managers

February 17, 2021

A Copy of an Email Sent by Kathrina S. Peterson, OVC Deputy Director, on February 11, 2021

Good Evening Everyone,

The purpose of this email is to provide information about compensation and crowdfunding, and also offer an opportunity to all of you to have more “regular” check-ins with your grant managers.

Crowdfunding and Compensation: Some states have requested information about crowdfunding and...

Attorney General Barr Announces Awards Over $1.8 Billion in Funding to Assist Victims

On Tuesday, October 6, 2020, Attorney General Barr announced the Office for Victims of Crime release of awards totaling more than $1.8 billion to state victim assistance and compensation programs to fund thousands of local victim assistance programs across the country and provide millions in compensation to victims of crime.

Supported by the Crime Victims Fund, this formula grant program supports a broad array of programs...

Director Hart Discusses Opportunities to Support States at Administrators Conference

On Monday, August 31, 2020, Office for Victims of Crime Director Jessica E. Hart spoke at the 2020 Victims of Crime Act Administrators National Training Conference. This annual event hosts state Victims of Crime Act Administrators who manage formula victim compensation and assistance grant programs—the cornerstone of support for victims throughout the Nation.

Director Hart spoke about the importance of developing productive relationships with Administrators and...

District of Columbia

Access state-specific information, including awards, events, and state VOCA formula funding program contacts.

 

OVC administers two Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) formula grant programs that support crime victim compensation and assistance—the cornerstone of support for victims throughout the Nation.

VOCA Victim Assistance formula grants support thousands of victim assistance programs throughout the Nation each year. States provide...

Massachusetts

Access state-specific information, including awards, events, and state VOCA formula funding program contacts.

 

OVC administers two Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) formula grant programs that support crime victim compensation and assistance—the cornerstone of support for victims throughout the Nation.

VOCA Victim Assistance formula grants support thousands of victim assistance programs throughout the Nation each year. States provide...

Pennsylvania

Access state-specific information, including awards, events, and state VOCA formula funding program contacts.

 

OVC administers two Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) formula grant programs that support crime victim compensation and assistance—the cornerstone of support for victims throughout the Nation.

VOCA Victim Assistance formula grants support thousands of victim assistance programs throughout the Nation each year. States provide...