News and announcements

OVC is seeking applications for funding for the OVC FY 2020 Developing Future Victim Specialists to Serve American Indian/Alaska Native Victims of Crime solicitation.

This program will develop a workforce of direct victim service providers to American Indian and Alaska Native victims in hard-to-staff positions and locations.

By identifying and training prospective victim service professionals in, or from, the communities to be served, Tribal and...

OVC is seeking applications for funding for the OVC FY 2020 Emergency and Transitional Pet Shelter and Housing Assistance Grant Program solicitation.

The primary goal of this program is to support shelter and transitional housing services to victims of domestic violence and their companion animals. Under this program, companion animals means pets, service animals, emotional support animals, and horses.

The objectives of this solicitation are...

The 2020 National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW) Resource Guide is now available online. This year, NCVRW will be commemorated April 19–25.

The 2020 NCVRW Resource Guide provides a wealth of materials, in both English and Spanish, to educate the public about victims' rights, protections, and services during NCVRW and throughout the year. The online guide includes—

• guidance on developing your campaign,
• tips and tools...

Tribal applicants whose OVC FY 2020 Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Formula Program pre-application was accepted have been notified via email to the applicant primary points of contact and authorized representatives. Applicants should refer to the FY 2020 TVSSA solicitation for instructions on how to submit their full application by 8:00 p.m. (eastern time) on June 15, 2020. Applicants can also join OVC's upcoming webinar on...

Every April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. During this month, communities are encouraged to raise awareness and promote strategies that address the risk factors surrounding child abuse.

As part of our commemoration of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, OVC and the Office on Trafficking in Persons at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services are hosting four virtual listening sessions about child trafficking...

OVC is seeking applicants for the OVC FY 2020 Services for Minor Victims of Sex Trafficking solicitation.

This program is designed to develop, expand, and strengthen assistance programs for minor victims of sex trafficking.

The objective in providing these services is to achieve increased safety, self-sufficiency, and well-being for minor victims of sex trafficking.

Objectives include:

1. Provision of services to meet the individualized needs of...

Apply for the OVC FY 2020 Targeted Training and Technical Assistance for VOCA Victim Assistance and Compensation Administrators solicitation.

The goal of this project is to provide peer-to-peer training and support on federal grants management and administration for Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Victim Assistance and Compensation Administrators and VOCA victim assistance subgrantees.

The objective of this peer-to-peer training is to enhance support to VOCA...

The format for the 2020 National Crime Victims’ Service Awards Ceremony has been changed to a virtual event for award recipients only. During the event, OVC will recognize individuals and organizations that demonstrate outstanding service in supporting crime victims and victim assistance programs.

Sign up for News From OVC to receive more information about 2020 National Crime Victims’ Service Awards recipients when they have been announced.

Visit...

"Over the last few weeks, I’ve heard from many of you in the field that COVID–19 is stretching your resources and presenting challenges to your ability to conduct victim outreach and care," states OVC Director Jessica E. Hart. "Starting with the White House, the COVID-19 response is a whole-of-government effort, and I thought it would be useful to provide a round-up of COVID-19-related...

Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives Awareness Day

On May 5, 2020, we commemorate Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives Awareness Day. This annual commemoration is a time to renew our commitment to ensuring resources are available to solve missing persons cases and providing services to victims and their families.

Learn more about some of the work being undertaken by...

New National, Toll Free Hotline Provides Help for Victims of Elder Fraud

For too long and far too frequently, fraudsters have preyed upon our senior citizens, robbing them of their hard-earned savings. To help combat fraud against older Americans, the U.S. Department of Justice launched the National Elder Fraud Hotline, managed by OVC, to provide services to adults ages 60 and older who may...

December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month

In his proclamation for National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, President Trump states that during this month, we "remember the victims of impaired driving, pray for the grieving families of those whose lives have been taken, and honor the law enforcement professionals who work to keep our roads safe."

To help raise awareness, we highlight the National Sheriffs'...

A Copy of an Email Sent by Kathrina S. Peterson, OVC Deputy Director, on March 31, 2020

Good Afternoon Everyone,

OVC is issuing the attached "March 2020 Updates to OVC Match Waiver Approval Process" in response to VOCA Victim Assistance Administrators comments and feedback. There are three distinct updates from the original July 2019 "OVC Match Waiver Approval Process."

First, in Section II(A)(2)...

OVC anticipates that it will upload the final VOCA formula victim assistance rule during the first week of July. It will become effective 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. In the interim, OVC is sending this communication to VOCA Administrators to again clarify what is allowable under the current guidelines for transitional housing and legal assistance.

Regarding legal assistance, victim assistance programs can...

In all states, some form of adult protective services (APS) exists to receive reports of elder abuse. Some states utilize a statewide hotline for receiving reports of elder abuse (intake), while other states maintain a system of local level intake. Intake is conducted, among other things, to determine whether victim services should be the only referral or whether a more system-delivered response is indicated (i.e...