Victim Rights

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...

OVC TTAC provides comprehensive training, technical assistance, and other support to assist the field in building its collective capacity to serve crime victims. OVC TTAC can support organizations through—

• training, including standardized courses and webinars, and face-to-face training;
• the National Victim Assistance Academy, which uses a blended learning approach to provide an intensive, interactive learning experience for professionals and volunteers who assist victims and...

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.