U.S. flag

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

Victims of violent crime

2020 National Crime Victims' Rights Week Message from the OVC Director

Dear Colleague,

Each April, we pause to celebrate the many advances in crime victim support in our nation: victim engagement in the criminal justice system, increasing availability of services, and recognition of rights for all victims and survivors. We also seek to ensure justice for those victims whose voices have yet to be heard.

At the end of March, I was sworn in as the...

Helping Victims of Mass Violence and Terrorism: Recovery

April 2016

This 7-minute video depicts how victims experience recovery and resilience at their own pace and in their own ways, and also shows how recovery approaches can be varied depending on victims' needs. Recovery approaches can be non-traditional, varied, and community or individual-based. For more information, visit Helping Victims of Mass Violence and Terrorism: Planning, Response, Recovery, and Resources at http://ovc.gov/pubs/mvt-toolkit/index.html.

Helping Victims of Mass Violence and Terrorism: Response

April 2016

This 7-minute video explains how a response to a mass violence incident should be well-organized, timely, multidisciplinary, and respectful of victims. The video discusses the usefulness of standing up centers that help victims obtain information and heal; and the importance of considering the needs of first responders. For more information, visit Helping Victims of Mass Violence and Terrorism: Planning, Response, Recovery, and Resources at http://ovc.gov/pubs/mvt-toolkit/index.html.

Helping Victims of Mass Violence and Terrorism: Partnerships and Planning

April 2016

This 8-minute video illustrates the importance of partnerships and planning for a more effective response to incidents of mass violence, integrating victims' issues into emergency plans, and considering volunteers and donation funds in planning. For more information, visit Helping Victims of Mass Violence and Terrorism: Planning, Response, Recovery, and Resources at http://ovc.gov/pubs/mvt-toolkit/index.html.

Helping Victims of Mass Violence and Terrorism: Partnerships and Planning, Response, Recovery

April 2016

This 2-minute video is a brief introduction to the Helping Victims of Mass Violence and Terrorism video series and highlights the importance of partnerships and planning for a more effective response to mass violence events; how a response to a mass violence incident should be well-organized, timely, multidisciplinary, and victim-centered; and how victims experience recovery and resilience at their own pace and in their own ways. For more information, visit http://ovc.gov/pubs/mvt-toolkit/index.html.

Resources and Support for the Victims of the Shooting in Gilroy, California

We at OVC extend our deepest sympathy to the victims of the mass shooting at the Gilroy Garlic Festival in Gilroy, California on July 28, 2019.

The following resources may be able to help victims, their families, and the community, as well as the victim service providers, law enforcement, and first responders that are assisting them during this difficult time.

Resources for Victims

Victim Helplines...

Support for Mass Shooting Victims in Dayton, Ohio

OVC staff extend our condolences to the victims of the mass shooting in the Oregon District of Dayton, Ohio on August 4, 2019.

The following resources may be able to help victims and their families, as well as the victim service providers, including law enforcement leaders, who are assisting them during this difficult time.

Resources for Victims

Victim Helplines

VictimConnect is an OVC-funded service that...

Support for Mass Shooting Victims in El Paso, Texas

OVC staff extend our condolences to the victims of the mass shooting at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas on August 3, 2019.

The following resources may be able to help victims, their families, and the community, as well as the victim service providers, law enforcement, and first responders that are assisting them during this difficult time.

Resources for Victims

Victim Helplines

VictimConnect is an...

Support for Shooting Victims in Odessa and Midland, Texas

OVC staff extend our condolences to the victims of the shootings in Odessa and Midland, Texas on August 31, 2019.

The following resources may be able to help victims, their families, and the community, as well as the victim service providers, law enforcement, and first responders that are assisting them during this difficult time.

Resources for Victims

Victim Helplines

VictimConnect is an OVC-funded service that...

September 2019 Featured Resources

Recognizing National Preparedness Month

President Trump has proclaimed September as National Preparedness Month. In his proclamation, the President states that we "honor and express our immense appreciation for the brave first responders who risk their lives to help others before, during, and after emergencies."

OVC’s Helping Victims of Mass Violence & Terrorism: Planning, Response, Recovery, and Resources toolkit provides communities and emergency managers with...

The Vicarious Trauma Toolkit

The Vicarious Trauma Toolkit (VTT) was developed on the premise that exposure to the traumatic experiences of other people—known as vicarious trauma—is an inevitable occupational challenge for the fields of victim services, emergency medical services, fire services, law enforcement, and other allied professionals; however, organizations can mitigate the potentially negative effects of trauma exposure by becoming vicarious trauma-informed.