Victim Rights and Services

A crime victim may file a complaint against any employee of the U.S. Department of Justice who violates or fails to provide the rights established under the Crime Victims' Rights Act of 2004, 18 U.S.C. § 3771. The Office of the Victims' Rights Ombuds receives and investigates complaints filed by crime victims against its employees, and has implemented Procedures to Promote Compliance with Crime Victims' Rights...

VNS is a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the United States Attorneys' offices, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. This free, computer-based system provides important information to victims of federal crimes. In many cases crime victims will receive letters generated through VNS containing information about the events pertaining to the criminal case and/or any defendants in...

This OVC-funded project supports a national network of legal clinics that provide legal representation to assist victims in asserting and seeking enforcement of their rights in criminal cases, and, as necessary during and in support of such representation, provide those victims representation on collateral civil legal matters arising from the victimization.

The U.S. Department of State is committed to assisting American citizens who become victims of crime while abroad and can help victims in two ways. Overseas: consular officers, agents, and staff work with crime victims and help them with the local police and medical systems. In the United States: the office of Overseas Citizens Services will stay in touch with family members in the United...

The National Center for Victims of Crime is a nonprofit organization that advocates for victims’ rights, trains professionals who work with victims, and serves as a trusted source of information on victims’ issues. 

LSC is a private, non-profit corporation established by Congress in 1974. LSC makes grants to independent local programs across the country to provide civil legal services to Americans without considerable financial means. The Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 granted the LSC the responsibility to extend program services to those eligible for T and U Visas.

Polaris Project's comprehensive approach to combating human trafficking includes conducting direct outreach and victim identification, providing social services and transitional housing to victims, operating the National Human Trafficking Hotline, advocating for state and Federal anti-trafficking legislation, and engaging community members in local and national grassroots efforts.

VictimLaw is a unique and groundbreaking resource, which offers user-friendly access to thousands of victims' rights statutes (state and federal), Tribal laws, constitutional amendments, court rules, and administrative code provisions. VictimLaw is managed by the OVC Training and Technical Assistance Center.

The National Organization for Victim Advocacy advocates for dignity and compassion for those harmed by crime. Among the services they provide are skill-based and survivor-centered training to victim advocates and crisis responders.

NCVLI is an educational institution dedicated to promoting a fair and balanced criminal justice system through legal education, legal scholarship, legal information resources, and legal advocacy. NCVLI’s attorney staff accomplishes this mission by filing amicus curiae (friend of the court) briefs in cases nationwide advocating for victims’ rights; providing legal technical assistance to attorneys who represent crime victims, and conducting trainings all across the country...

The National Crime Victim Bar Association educates attorneys, victim service providers, and the general public about civil legal remedies for crime victims. The National Crime Victim Bar Association also provides referrals for crime victims to civil attorneys in their local area.

VINELink is the online version of VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday), the National Victim Notification Network that allows crime victims to obtain timely and reliable information about non-Federal criminal cases and the custody status of offenders 24 hours a day.

The DEA Victim Witness Assistance Program helps to ensure the rights of crime victims encountered in DEA investigations are met.