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Police chiefs

Law Enforcement

Learn about OVC efforts to support for programs which help law enforcement officers compassionately and effectively meet the needs of crime victims.

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.

Enhancing Law Enforcement Response to Victims (ELERV)

This OVC-funded strategy introduces law enforcement leaders to the benefits, challenges, methods, and responsibilities for enhancing their response to victims of crime. Implementing the ELERV Strategy can lead to broader community-wide trust and confidence in the police, foster the healing process for victims, increase victim participation, and produce stronger, more comprehensive cases to hold offenders accountable.