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News and announcements

Welcome to OVC’s Redesigned Website

Today, OVC launched its redesigned website at https://ovc.ojp.gov to offer a more user-friendly experience with streamlined navigation, clean and simplified layout, and improved search capabilities to help you get to the content you need faster.

Some of the features include—

June 2020 Featured Resources

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is June 15

Join OVC in commemorating World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on Monday, June 15, 2020. This annual commemoration is a call-to-action for individuals, organizations, and communities to raise awareness about elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation.

To commemorate World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, OVC reaffirms its commitment to supporting victims of elder abuse.

Consider participating in virtual events...

Thank You for Joining Us for National Crime Victims' Rights Week 2020: A Message from the Director of the Office for Victims of Crime

Dear Colleague,

Thank you for joining us this week as we commemorate National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW) and spread awareness of victims' rights, protections, and services.

I'm pleased to announce that the National Crime Victims' Service Awards Ceremony will be Friday, October 2, 2020. During the ceremony, OVC will present awards recognizing individuals and organizations from across the nation for their outstanding service on...

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...

Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by OVC Director Jessica E. Hart During a Webinar Hosted by the National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA)

Good afternoon! Thank you to the wonderful people at NOVA who worked hard to make today's webinar happen. And a special thanks to Claire Selib for offering me the opportunity to introduce myself to the NOVA community.

I was appointed the Director of OVC in late March, in the midst of the COVID spread, so this has been an unusual time to join OVC. But...

Message from the OVC Director: Resources on COVID-19 for OVC Grantees

Dear Grantees:

I hope this email finds you all healthy and safe during these challenging times. Here at the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) we continue to work at full capacity, albeit remotely, to support you in the critical delivery of services to all victims of crime. Thousands of victims of crime rely on OVC grantees as they work to rebuild their lives and...

Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by OVC Director Jessica E. Hart During a Webinar Hosted by the Ohio Attorney General's Office

Good morning! Thank you, Attorney General Yost, and all the staff in your office who worked hard to make today's webinar happen. I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to introduce myself and share a bit about the Office for Victims of Crime.

As previously mentioned, I was appointed the Director of OVC, a component of the Office of Justice Programs at the Department of Justice, in...

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Message from OVC Director Jessica Hart

Today is the fifteenth anniversary of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. In the shadow of a pandemic that has disproportionately affected senior populations, we come together to raise awareness about elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

For too long elder abuse—a term that encompasses physical abuse, financial fraud, scams and exploitation, caregiver neglect and abandonment, psychological abuse, and sexual abuse—was a hidden epidemic. But as the...

New Video Educates Consumers How to Identify Debt Scammers

The video describes the warning signs of debt collection fraud, including threats of jail time and pressuring the consumer into making a decision quickly. It's important to ask questions, become fully informed about the debt, and not be pressured by illegal threats.

October 2019 Featured Resources

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

President Trump proclaimed that October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In his proclamation, the President states "We strive to eliminate domestic violence in all its horrific forms in order to sustain the hope of a better life for victims and to foster safer homes and relationships for all Americans."

The proclamation also highlights "in fiscal years 2018...

Funding Opportunity: OVC FY 2020 Improving Community Preparedness to Assist Victims of Mass Violence or Domestic Terrorism: Training and Technical Assistance Project

OVC Funding Opportunity: Apply Now

OVC is seeking applicants for the OVC FY 2020 Improving Community Preparedness to Assist Victims of Mass Violence or Domestic Terrorism: Training and Technical Assistance Project solicitation.

This project will provide training, technical assistance, and support to enable communities to augment their existing emergency response plans to ensure that they include effective protocols and strategies to address the immediate and long-term needs of victims...

Funding Opportunity: FY 2020 Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation

The U.S. Department of Justice is seeking applicants for its Fiscal Year 2020 Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS).

CTAS provides comprehensive funding to federally recognized Tribes, Tribal consortia, and Tribal designees to develop a comprehensive and coordinated approach to public safety and victimization.

CTAS applicants have the flexibility to submit a single application and select from any or all of the purpose areas, including...

Attend a Tribal Consultation on Tribal Set-Aside Funding from the Crime Victims Fund


OVC invites Tribal leaders, representatives, and stakeholders to participate in a Tribal Consultation on Tribal Set-Aside Funding from the Crime Victims Fund. Attendees will discuss tribal set-aside funding and how it can be programmed.

An in-person government to government consultation will be held on Wednesday, February 12, 2020, from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m., in conjunction with the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) 2020 Executive...

Trainings Available to Help Rural and Tribal Organizations Apply for Funding

The Office of Justice Programs is sponsoring a training series to educate rural and Tribal organizations and agencies on how to apply for funding opportunities.

Representatives from the Office for Victims of Crime, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and the Bureau of Justice Assistance will provide an overview of the grants application process. They will also highlight funding application requirements and identify...