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Victim compensation

OVC Support to States

State Support Map

Select a state or territory on the map below to learn more about that state's efforts working with OVC.

Register to attend the 2018 VOCA National Training Conference

With support from OVC, the National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators and the National Association of Crime Victim Compensation Boards will host the 2018 VOCA National Training Conference August 7–9, 2018, at the Hyatt Regency Savannah in Savannah, Georgia.

This important conference is designed exclusively for VOCA assistance and state compensation administrators, staff and Board members. Learn about critical information on VOCA funding and ways...

FY 2019 VOCA Assistance and Compensation Allocation Tables

A Copy of an Email Sent on behalf of Kathrina S. Peterson, OVC Acting Deputy Director, on May 23, 2019

Dear VOCA Administrator:

The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) has released its Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Victim Compensation and Victim Assistance allocation tables, which are attached for your review. The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) will begin accepting applications...

SARS Clarification, VOCApedia Monthly Update, and Other November Updates


A Copy of an Email Sent by Kathrina S. Peterson, OVC Acting Deputy Director, on December 17, 2019

Good Evening Administrators,

We are excited to share with you many updates from OVC. This email is long, but full of good nuggets of information for both Compensation and Assistance Administrators. Keep reading and don’t panic!

SARS Update & Clarification: We recognize that we issued conflicting...

Help for Victims

Find assistance if you are a victim of crime, including national helplines, help in your state, and contact information for your state’s victim compensation program.

Formula Grants

OVC administers annual Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) crime victim compensation and victim assistance formula grants to eligible states and territories. These grants are the cornerstone of support for victims throughout the Nation.

Human Trafficking

View available OVC resources, awareness materials, and services for victims of labor and sex trafficking and victim service providers.

Types of Funding

OVC administers formula grants, discretionary grants, and set-asides to support crime victim services throughout the Nation.

Terrorism & Mass Violence

Discover tools for victim service providers and other professionals to assist victims and their families after an act of terrorism or mass violence.

Crime Victims Fund

OVC administers the Crime Victims Fund, a major funding source for crime victim services.

Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Administrators

This site provides State Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Administrators with news, answers to frequently asked questions, documents, and other resources to help them successfully manage VOCA formula assistance and compensation awards.

The Antiterrorism and Emergency Assistance Program (AEAP)

January 2017
The Antiterrorism and Emergency Assistance Program (AEAP) is one resource that the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) uses to support jurisdictions and victims that have experienced incidents of terrorism or mass violence. Following the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma, Congress amended the 1984 Victims of Crime Act, authorizing OVC to establish an Antiterrorism Emergency Reserve (Emergency Reserve) using resources from the Crime Victims Fund (the Fund). Every year, OVC has access to up to $50 million from the Emergency Reserve that is available beyond the appropriation level for the Fund that Congress establishes annually. The OVC Director can use these Emergency Reserve funds for AEAP.

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If You're a Victim of Crime, Help is Available

October 2016
This 2.5-minute video describes the help that is available for victims of crime by recognizing the effects of crime, identifying certain victims' rights that are guaranteed in most states, and describing services available from state victim compensation and assistance programs. If you or someone you know is a victim of a crime, there are resources. Visit www.ovc.gov/help for more information.

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What is the Crime Victims Fund?

March 2016

This 2-minute video describes the Crime Victims Fund, a major funding source for victim services throughout the Nation that is made up of fines, special assessments, and forfeited bail paid by people who are convicted of federal crimes in U.S. courts around the country. The video offers information about the various grant programs funded using VOCA dollars and OVC's collaboration with state administrators of victim compensation and assistance programs.

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What is the Office for Victims of Crime?

April 2016

This 3-minute video describes OVC's mission and major responsibilities to enhance victims' rights and services for all victims across the United States.

The video also provides an overview of the Crime Victims Fund, describes how funding is distributed to the states to provide direct and accessible services, and discusses OVC's commitment to professionalization of the field through developing new programs; training and technical assistance; and disseminating information about model programs that benefit all victims of crime.

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