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OVC Handbook for Coping after Terrorism: A Guide to Healing and Recovery
"This document was prepared in order to assist victims of terrorism or mass violence in their recovery. Reactions to a traumatic disaster include shock and numbness, intense emotion, fear, guilt, anger and resentment, depression and loneliness, and isolation. Moreover, physical symptoms of distress, panic, inability to resume normal activity, and delayed reaction are also possible reactions. This document offers practical coping ideas for these conditions, as well as additional support information, phone numbers, and web sites."
United States. Office of Justice Programs. Office for Victims of Crime
2001-09
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Faces of Human Trafficking Video Series
"OVC [Office for Victims of Crime] encourages local organizations to use these resources throughout the year at public awareness, education, and training events to promote and advance the cause of justice for victims of crime. [...] The series is intended to be used for outreach and education efforts of service providers, law enforcement, prosecutors, and others in the community. The series includes information about sex and labor trafficking, multidisciplinary approaches to serving victims of human trafficking, effective victim services, victims' legal needs, and voices of survivors."
United States. Office of Justice Programs. Office for Victims of Crime
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2016 Crime and Victimization Fact Sheets
"The Uniform Crime Report (UCR), launched in 1929, collects information reported to law enforcement agencies on the following crimes: murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larcenytheft, motor vehicle theft, arson, and human trafficking. Law enforcement agencies also report arrest data for 22 additional crime categories (e.g., forgery and counterfeiting, drug abuse violations, disorderly conduct, vagrancy). Each year, the FBI issues a report on the main UCR findings, titled Crime in the United States, as well as several other reports (e.g., Hate Crimes 2014 and Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted, 2014). The UCR presents crime counts for the entire nation, as well as for regions, states, counties, cities, towns, tribal law enforcement, and colleges and universities. Its primary purpose is to provide reliable criminal justice statistics for law enforcement administration and management. [...] Each Fact Sheet includes both text and graphics. Infographics are included in this year's Resource Guide to provide a visual representation of the data. These new facts are interactive, allowing users to easily delve further into the information by clicking on the data point to visit the source. The information compiled on the Fact Sheets is also great to share via social media during National Crime Victims' Rights Week and throughout the year. Please note that percentages on charts and graphs do not always add up to 100 because the numbers have been rounded."
United States. Office of Justice Programs. Office for Victims of Crime
2016
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Identity Theft and Fraud Victimization: What We Know About Identity Theft and Fraud Victims from Research- and Practice-Based Evidence
From the Executive Summary: "Millions of people in the United States fall victim to identity theft, identity fraud, and other types of fraud each year, knowingly or unknowingly.1 Victims of fraud can experience more than severe financial consequences; their victimization experiences can include legal complications, damaged relationships, physical health problems, and trauma responses similar to those of victims of violent crime. Further, fraud often overlaps with other victimization experiences--including child exploitation and domestic violence--making the understanding of these crimes important to victims and service providers of all types. Understanding the varied needs of fraud victims is an important step in improving practitioners' responses to them. Despite the multitude of negative harms that fraud can cause, evidence on how best to serve identity fraud and other fraud victims is limited, as few research studies have examined which responses are most effective in remediating harms and preventing revictimization. However, the field's knowledge of and ability to respond to victims of fraud is growing."
United States. Office of Justice Programs. Office for Victims of Crime
Irvin-Erickson, Yasemin; Ricks, Alexandra
2019-08
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Identity Theft and Fraud Victimization: What We Know About Identity Theft and Fraud Victims, Bibliography of Research and Practice Evidence
From the National Criminal Justice Reference Service Website: "The 192 listings of reports on research related to identity theft and fraud focus on aspects of telemarketing fraud, the typology of 'phising' email victimization, the prevalence of consumer fraud in the United States, a profile of the victims of identity theft, risk factors for being a victim of mass-market consumer fraud, the non-traditional costs of financial fraud, the nature and prevalence of identity theft, and recommendations for a comprehensive identity theft victimization survey, and the impact of fraud on individual victims and their families. Approximately 200 listings focus on ways to counter identity theft and fraud, as well as address the needs of victims of such crimes. Topics addressed include ways to prosecute cases of elder financial exploitation, financial reforms that counter consumer and bank fraud. A survey of victims of identity theft, transnational scam predators and older adult victims, and medical identity theft."
United States. Office of Justice Programs. Office for Victims of Crime
2019-08
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Victims Services in Rural Law Enforcement
"In the aftermath of crime, many victims in rural areas never receive the vital services necessary to begin recovery. Victim Services in Rural Law Enforcement (NCJ 226275) summarizes an OVC-sponsored project of the National Sheriffs' Association and the Office of the Alabama Attorney General, which developed 17 models for establishing or enhancing rural victims' assistance. This replication guide offers a blueprint for establishing local programs, outlining approaches, successes, and lessons learned."
United States. Office of Justice Programs. Office for Victims of Crime
2009-04
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Strengthening Sexual Assault Victims' Right to Privacy
"This online guide (NCJ 226501), developed by Connecticut Sexual Assault Crisis Services, Inc., provides recommendations to statewide sexual assault coalitions and rape crisis centers concerned with protecting sexual assault victims' privacy. It addresses common challenges, discusses core concepts, and offers practical tips to maintain victim confidentiality to better serve victims." "The focus of this online guide, developed by Connecticut Sexual Assault Crisis Services, Inc., is sexual assault victims' right to privacy. It reinforces the importance of keeping information confidential and highlights the power of employing consistent practices to create a culture of respect for victims' privacy. This guide contains general recommendations, addresses common challenges, provides core concepts, and offers practical tips to assist advocates in their efforts to maintain victim confidentiality."
United States. Office of Justice Programs. Office for Victims of Crime
2009-04
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Good Samaritans: Volunteers Helping Victims Program Handbook and Training Guide
"This online guide (NCJ 225703) is designed for prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, community groups, and faith-based organizations interested in using volunteers to expand their outreach to crime victims. A product of the Good Samaritans program in Mobile, Alabama, it provides guidance for replicating the program in other communities, as Mobile has done, and training volunteers to provide emergency services to victims including home repair, compassionate support, and referrals to other services."
United States. Office of Justice Programs. Office for Victims of Crime
2009-04
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International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program: Report to Congress, April 2008
"On December 21, 1988, the United States entered a new era in its history, marking a change for generations to come. That evening a bomb exploded in the forward cargo hold of Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing and injuring 243 passengers, 16 crew members, and 11 on the ground--4 days before Christmas. It was almost immediately evident that a bomb had caused the terrorist disaster, but it took more than 11 years to bring the perpetrators to justice. Instead of being an isolated incident, it became a precursor of international violence and destruction that precipitated a worldwide response. The federal response to this event and other terrorist acts created the foundation for newly established programs to address the needs of all terrorism victims and their families, especially U.S. citizens and employees victimized in foreign countries. As incidents of international terrorism increased, the need to assist these victims in an equitable manner became a priority. Responding to this new area of victimization, the Congress authorized and the Office of Justice Programs established, through the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), the International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program (ITVERP). ITVERP reimburses victims of acts of international terrorism outside of the United States for out-of-pocket expenses directly related to the event. ITVERP is authorized to reimburse eligible victims, 1 including U.S. nationals and United States Government officers and employees."
United States. Office of Justice Programs. Office for Victims of Crime
2008-04
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What You Can Do If You Are a Victim of Crime
Crime victimization is a frightening and unsettling experience for the millions of Americans whose lives it touches each year. As recently as 1972, almost no services were available to help crime victims or their survivors repair the damage to their lives and property or contend with the traumatic and frustrating ordeal of prosecuting the offender. Today, however, due largely to the dedicated efforts of advocates, lawmakers, and crime victims, a tremendous range of services and resources is available to help victims obtain
justice and heal. The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), the U.S. Department
of Justice agency that advocates for the fair treatment of crime victims, wants
you to know that if you or someone you love is a victim of crime--you have
rights, you can get help, and you can work for positive change.
United States. Office of Justice Programs. Office for Victims of Crime
2002-04
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Responding to Hate Crime: A Multidisciplinary Curriculum for Law Enforcement and Victim Assistance Professionals
"Bias crimes seriously threaten our democratic society, which is built on the strength of its diversity. These crimes represent a particularly heinous form of violence, in which thousands of Americans are victimized each year because of their skin color, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. Growing concern exists around the country, in communities large and small, urban, suburban, and rural, about the prevalence of bias crime. Swift and effective investigation, prosecution, and response to these crimes is critical for developing and maintaining both respect for and appreciation of the growing diversity of our country's citizens. This training package builds on the best efforts and practices to date, identified by national experts in law enforcement, victim assistance, and hate crime prevention and response. This curriculum differs from others in that it is intended for a multidisciplinary training audience, including law enforcement officers, victim advocates, and community-based organizations. It was field-tested to ensure its relevance to both victim assistance and law enforcement professionals and its user-friendliness. The results are reflected in the approach and materials presented here in this curriculum. "
United States. Office of Justice Programs. Office for Victims of Crime
2000-02
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Terrorism and International Victims Unit
With use of the Internet, increased international tourism, and overseas job opportunities, issues of violent crime and mass victimization have become a major concern for agencies serving victims in the United States and abroad. In response to these emerging issues, the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) created the Terrorism and International Victims Unit (TIVU). TIVU is responsible for developing programs and initiatives to help victims of terrorism, mass violence, and crimes that have transnational dimensions, such as trafficking of women and children and international child abduction. TIVU coordinates OVC resources and funding for victims of terrorism and transnational crimes and administers a new compensation program for victims of international terrorism. TIVU provides the following services to victims of crime: information and benefits to U.S. nationals and Federal Government employees who are victims of terrorism abroad. Victims are given assistance in accessing services, which may include traveling to trials and briefings, and obtaining information on the criminal justice process. Programs and Initiatives TIVU is involved in a number of programs and initiatives with other federal agencies and nonprofit organizations to enhance the assistance provided to victims of terrorism, mass violence, and international crimes.
United States. Office of Justice Programs. Office for Victims of Crime
2002-01
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Providing Relief to Families after a Mass Fatality: Roles of the Medical Examiner's Office and the Family Assistance Center
This special report considers the response of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of the State of Oklahoma following the domestic terrorist bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on April 19, 1995. It provides answers to the following questions: how will families be notified if their loved ones are recovered and identified? What method is used to identify the families' loved ones? May the families go to the disaster site? "OVC wants to ensure that all those who work with mass-fatlity victims and families effectively, compassionately, and sensitively--This OVC bulletin hopes to help achieve this by reporting the lessons learned in Oklahoma City while helping victims' families during the long, difficult recovery process [quote by John W. Gillis, Director]."
United States. Office of Justice Programs. Office for Victims of Crime
Blakeney, Ray L.
2002-11
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Losing a Loved One to Homicide: What We Know About Homicide Co-Victims Bibliography of Research and Practice Evidence, Bibliography
From the National Criminal Justice Reference Service Website: "Approximately 262 listings pertain to research evidence on homicide co-victimization. Some of the topics addressed in this section of the bibliography are ethnocultural aspects of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among African-Americans, the impact on homicide co-victims of interacting with the criminal justice system, homicide co-victims search for meaning in their victimization, the impact on co-victims of the death penalty for the offender, bereavement in the family of a homicide victim, and death thoughts and images in co-victims seeking treatment after a homicide. Approximately 262 of the bibliographic listings address the nature and effectiveness of various practices in addressing the needs of homicide co-victims. Some topics addressed in these listings are funeral planning that addresses co-victim needs, coping with stigmatized loss, the experience of homicide co-victims who oppose the death penalty, self-care while in grief, handling anger in the midst of grief, addressing myths about grief, and listening skills when working with homicide co-victims."
United States. Office of Justice Programs. Office for Victims of Crime
2019-07
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Establishing Victim Services within a Law Enforcement Agency: The Austin Experience
"The Austin Police Department's Victim Services Division is among a relatively small number of victim assistance divisions that work within law enforcement agencies. Being part of a law enforcement agency allows Division counselors to quickly respond to victims' needs, meet officers at a crime scene, and provide victims with a mix of immediate crisis counseling and practical advice. Until recently, victim services divisions within law enforcement agencies were relatively rare. Most victim services programs were located at nonprofit agencies or within prosecutors' offices, although only 21 percent of major crimes get to the prosecutor's office. This means that about 80 percent of crime victims may not have victim assistance available to them unless a unit exists within a police department, according to Chief Stan Knee of the Austin Police Department. 'Our Victim Services people arrive minutes after the officer gets there, as the paramedic is wiping the blood off the forehead of a badly battered spouse,' Chief Knee said. 'They get a better perspective of the victim than from just reading a police report.' The program initiates crisis counseling during or shortly after a crime has occurred, rather than weeks or months later. The Victim Services Division provides crisis and trauma counseling to victims, families, witnesses, and others, and assistance to patrol officers and investigators on cases."
United States. Office of Justice Programs. Office for Victims of Crime
Parker, Susan G.
2001-03
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Denver Victim Services 2000 Needs Assessment
"Denver Victim Services 2000 (VS2000), funded by a discretionary grant from the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), is a 5-year demonstration project to create a comprehensive, coordinated, seamless service delivery system for victims of crime. In 1997, OVC selected Denver, Colorado, as the urban site for the development and implementation of the VS2000 model. Today, representatives from more than 50 Denver-area victim service agencies and programs are participating in the Denver VS2000 project. Participants include community and criminal justice-based victim service programs and allied professionals. The State of Vermont has also been selected as a VS2000 site. Each site is developing a unique victim services model tailored to its community. This Bulletin, the first in a series, describes the creation of the Denver VS2000 model service network. It summarizes the efforts and highlights the results of the three-pronged victim services needs assessment conducted by Denver VS2000 in 1997 and 1998. The Bulletin describes the development of an assessment strategy and the creation of measurement tools. Subsequent Bulletins will address other aspects of the model, including collaboration and planning, technology, training and education, and community advocates."
United States. Office of Justice Programs. Office for Victims of Crime
2000-10
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New Directions from the Field: Victims' Rights and Services for the 21st Century
"'New Directions from the Field: Victims' Rights and Services for the 21st Century' challenges the nation to renew and refocus its efforts to improve the treatment of victims of crime. It is the first comprehensive plan regarding how the nation should respond to crime victims since the 1982 President's Task Force on Victims of Crime identified the American justice system as 'appallingly out of balance,' and made 68 recommendations for how rights and services for crime victims in this nation could be substantially improved. New Directions highlights the progress and the momentous changes that have taken place across our nation's justice systems and in the private sector since the release of the 1982 report. It identifies hundreds of innovative public policy initiatives and community partnerships that are revolutionizing the treatment of crime victims in America today, and it recommends improvements that still need to be implemented on behalf of crime victims. Today only a fraction of the nation's estimated 38 million crime victims receive much-needed services such as emergency financial assistance, crisis and mental health counseling, shelter, and information and advocacy within the criminal and juvenile justice systems.This report presents more than 250 recommendations targeted to nearly every profession that comes in contact with crime victims- from justice practitioners, to victim service, health care, mental health, legal, educational, faith, news media, and business communities- and encourages them to redouble their efforts to enhance victims' rights and services. 'New Directions' was developed by the field, and its recommendations do not necessarily reflect the views of the Justice Department or the Office for Victims of Crime. In addition, all of the recommendations may not represent the views of every contributor, as over 1,000 individuals provided input into this document."
United States. Office of Justice Programs. Office for Victims of Crime
1997
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First Response to Victims of Crime Who Have a Disability
"With this new handbook, 'First Response to Victims of Crime Who Have a Disability', OVC seeks to increase the capacity of law enforcement to respond to particular populations of crime victims in a sensitive and effective manner, recognizing the special needs of certain individuals. The handbook offers guidance and tips on approaching and interacting with victims who have Alzheimer's disease, mental illness, or mental retardation, or who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, or hard of hearing. It is estimated that 17 percent of the U.S. population has one of these disabilities. Therefore, it is likely that law enforcement officers will encounter a victim with a disability. Because officers and dispatchers often are the first to respond to crime victims, it is critical that they understand how to approach them. There are few resources for law enforcement professionals in this area, and what is available is typically offender rather than victim focused and found in training curricula. This handbook is not intended to be a training manual and does not offer a response to every situation, but it does highlight salient issues for victims with disabilities. The handbook provides an introductory section with general tips on responding to victims with a disability and a section for each disability that offers professionals guidance on how to respond to victims with that particular disability. Also included is a section on the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, two federal laws that prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities. Finally, the handbook highlights service providers representing the interests of individuals with the various disabilities covered and lists other national victim resources. These resources are intended to help law enforcement locate the services victims need. Like 'First Response to Victims of Crime,' this handbook may be useful in retraining officers in the in-service setting, at roll calls, and in recertification programs."
United States. Office of Justice Programs. Office for Victims of Crime
2002-10
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Community Outreach through Police in Schools
"The Community Outreach through Police in Schools Program is a short-term, prevention-oriented, school-based group intervention that brings together community police officers and child clinicians as group co-leaders to provide weekly sessions for middle school students who are at risk of being exposed to violence in the community. The Community Outreach through Police in Schools Program comprises eight 50- minute weekly sessions as well as pretest and post-test survey sessions. The total length of the intervention is 10 weeks. Most experts agree that any successful violence intervention program must be collaborative. Such programs should also target youth early, before frequent exposure to violence leads them to adopt negative and dysfunctional patterns of behavior. The Community Outreach through Police in Schools Program is a collaborative intervention that targets youth before exposure to violence in their community seriously impacts their functioning."
United States. Office of Justice Programs. Office for Victims of Crime
2003-08
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From Pain to Power: Crime Victims Take Action
"Across America, victims of crime have turned their agony into activism. Many have found that participating in community service- helping other victims and initiating crime prevention and awareness programs- contributes significantly to their own healing. These victims include extraordinary people such as Marilyn Smith, who founded a comprehensive victim service program in Seattle for deaf and deaf-blind victims of sexual assault after trying unsuccessfully to find services herself as a deaf sexual assault victim; Azim Khamisa, who joined with the grandfather of the 14 year-old gang member who murdered his son to provide gang prevention programs in San Diego schools; and the many parents who came together after their children were killed by drunk drivers to support Mothers Against Drunk Driving in its successful efforts to strengthen laws, provide victim impact classes, and educate the public about the devastating impact of this crime. This monograph chronicles ways in which many crime victims are channeling their pain into helping others, improving their communities, and healing themselves at the same time. It describes opportunities for victims who want to become active and makes important recommendations for victim service programs regarding ways to involve victims in community service. The monograph was written by Victim Services, a New York City-based program which is the largest victim assistance provider in the nation. The monograph is part of a larger document entitled 'New Directions From the Field: Victims' Rights and Services for the 21st Century,' a comprehensive report and set of recommendations on victims' rights and services from and concerning virtually every community involved with crime victims across the nation."
United States. Office of Justice Programs. Office for Victims of Crime
1998-09
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Resource Guide for Serving U.S. Citizens Victimized Abroad
"Advancing technology, widespread use of the Internet, increased international tourism, overseas job opportunities, and a stronger threat of terrorist acts against U.S. citizens have prompted growing concern about crime abroad and its impact on victims. As greater numbers of U.S. citizens live or travel overseas for business, study, or vacation they may be more vulnerable to crime than local citizens because they are more likely to lack the language skills, geographic bearings, or 'street smarts' that apply in a particular country. Yet many U.S. citizens victimized abroad receive only a patchwork of assistance, or sometimes none at all. Many cultures do not acknowledge the impact of victimization or recognize victim assistance as a responsibility of the society as a whole or of segments such as law enforcement. Even if victims receive some emergency assistance overseas, they often find themselves starting over when it comes to seeking assistance upon their return to the United States. With information and support from the Office for Victims of Crime, a component of the Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, and other federal agencies, U.S.-based victim service providers can prepare to deliver comprehensive and effective services to victims of overseas crimes by facilitating access to resources both abroad and in the United States."
United States. Office of Justice Programs. Office for Victims of Crime
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Directory of Crime Victim Services
The Directory of Crime Victim Services is an Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) resource designed to help service providers and individuals locate nonemergency crime victim services in the United States and abroad.
United States. Office of Justice Programs. Office for Victims of Crime
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First Response to Victims of Crime: A Guidebook for Law Enforcement Officers
"Over the past few years, new issues have emerged with the changing demographics in the United States, the occurrence of a number of high-profile mass casualty crimes, and a growing awareness of the prevalence of the crime of human trafficking. It became clear that a new, updated, expanded guidebook for law enforcement was needed. This new guidebook consolidates and updates the information in the earlier handbooks and expands the information with additional sections on responding to immigrant victims, victims with a disability affecting physical mobility, victims of human trafficking, and victims of mass casualty crimes. In one resource, this guidebook offers valuable, user-friendly information for law enforcement on how to respond to a wide range of victims. The guidebook is not intended to be a training manual and does not claim to offer guidance on responding in every possible situation. It attempts, however, to highlight the most salient issues involved for victims of certain crimes and for certain populations of victims. An introductory section contains general guidelines and tips, and individual sections include information on responding to victims of particular crimes and to specific populations of victims. Additionally, the guidebook includes a section on federal laws that prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities and a directory of resources, including organizations representing the interests of the victim populations addressed in the guidebook."
United States. Office of Justice Programs. Office for Victims of Crime
2008-04
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Using Federal Law to Prosecute Domestic Violence Crimes in Indian Country
"'Using Federal Law To Prosecute Domestic Violence Crimes in Indian Country' consists of a DVD and facilitator's guide intended to increase the knowledge of all federal, state, local, and tribal criminal justice and social service professionals working on domestic violence cases in Indian Country. The DVD is structured to allow users to view the production in full or by section. While the DVD itself conveys a tremendous amount of information, a discussion led by a facilitator with knowledge of and experience in domestic violence cases in Indian Country may be helpful, particularly if the training audience is new to the subject matter. This guide is intended to assist a facilitator with leading a discussion that will encourage the audience to consider the policies and practices within their own agencies and how the case scenarios would play out if investigated and prosecuted in their own jurisdiction. It will be up to the facilitator to inform a student if his or her response to a similar case scenario is feasible and practical, or if, in fact, it could jeopardize victim safety. Therefore, it is critical that anyone using this guide and/or the DVD have sufficient knowledge and experience with the subject matter."
United States. Office of Justice Programs. Office for Victims of Crime
2012-10?
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Vision 21: Transforming Victim Services Framework
"The goal for Vision 21: Transforming Victim Services (Vision 21) is simple yet profound: to permanently alter the way we treat victims of crime in America. The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) at the Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, and many others who work in the crime victims field recognize the need for a better way to respond to crime victims. We seek a comprehensive and systemic approach, drawing from a wide range of tangible yet difficult to access resources, including legislation, funding, research, and practice, to change how we meet victims' needs and how we address those who perpetrate crime. We have heard the call for a better way and it is our fervent hope that Vision 21 creates that path. Vision 21 grew from a series of meetings sponsored by OVC across the country, to facilitate conversations about the crime victims field. These meetings brought together crime victim advocates and allied professionals to exchange information and ideas about enduring and emerging issues and how we treat victims of crime. What emerged from those intense and fruitful discussions was a common understanding about current challenges in the victims field and, most importantly, a shared expression of the urgent need for change. Vision 21 is the result of those conversations. We believe it can be our call to action--the motivation to address the needs of crime victims in a radically different way. Our discussions and research centered on four topics: (1) defining the role of the crime victims field in the overall response to crime and delinquency in the United States; (2) building the field's capacity to better serve victims; (3) addressing enduring issues in the field; and (4) identifying emerging issues in the field. It was an ambitious agenda for a relatively brief timeframe, but one that was long overdue."
United States. Office of Justice Programs. Office for Victims of Crime
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Vision 21: Transforming Victim Services Framework [website]
"The Vision 21 initiative is the first comprehensive assessment of the victim assistance field in nearly 15 years. In response to the Vision 21: Transforming Victim Services Final Report (The Report), $12.5 million has been allocated in the congressional Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014, to address the recommendations in The Report. Opportunity for Real Change in Victim Services: For the first time, OVC [Office for Victims of Crime] will be able to provide operational funding to organizations that serve victims of crime at the national level, as well as American victims of domestic violence and sexual assault who are victimized abroad and on cruise ships. A portion of OVC's Vision 21 funding will support services and infrastructure to ensure victim assistance is provided to American Indian and Alaska Native crime victims. OVC will also offer state VOCA [Victims of Crime Act] administering agencies two competitive funding opportunities to support: Technology that can upgrade data reporting systems, make services to victims more accessible, support electronic case management, streamline the administrative burden on service providers, and increase their access to online evidence-based training; and Holistic legal assistance for all crime victims through the wraparound network model pioneered by OVC in Fiscal Year 2012, as well as a separate solicitation for a legal assistance technical assistance provider."
United States. Office of Justice Programs. Office for Victims of Crime
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2015 OVC Report to the Nation, Fiscal Years 2013-2014: Building Capacity Through Research, Innovation, Technology, and Training
From the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) website, "'OVC's Report to the Nation summarizes the progress made in upholding crime victims' rights and providing high-quality services to victims, survivors, and communities during fiscal years 2013-2014. The report highlights innovative programs and victim-centered initiatives, summarizes financial support to states and U.S. territories, and provides insight into OVC's strategic efforts to address both emerging and enduring challenges in order to expand and enhance victim assistance throughout the Nation.' Sections comprising this report include: introduction; message from the OVC Director; the Crime Victims Fund; Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) compensation and assistance statistics; VOCA compensation highlights; VOCA assistance highlights; data and research; innovative practices; direct services; capacity building; reaching all victims; and public awareness."
United States. Office of Justice Programs. Office for Victims of Crime
2015
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Victims with Disabilities: Collaborative, Multidisciplinary First Response, Techniques for First Responders Called to Help Crime vi ctims Who Have Disabilities
"This training DVD provides a specific set of guidelines for first responders (e.g., law enforcement officers, paramedics, victim advocates, forensic interviewers) who have been called to the scene of a crime in which the victim has a disability. It is designed to help these professionals hone their ability to work with individuals who present specific challenges to a successful first response. Developed under the guidance of a national advisory board, this DVD provides guidelines for interacting with both adults and children, and places special emphasis on crime victims who have communication and/or intellectual disabilities. Intellectual disabilities, which involve the mental process of knowing, include disabilities such as mental retardation and autism. [Note: Despite the fact that the term retardation is considered pejorative by many in the disability community, this term remains current in diagnostic nomenclature and is therefore used in this guide.] Communication disabilities, which have to do with physical involvements that interfere with a person's ability to convey information and ideas, include disabilities associated with speech production (e.g., cerebral palsy, stroke)."
United States. Office of Justice Programs. Office for Victims of Crime
2009
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School Crisis Response Initiative
Schools are well suited to provide support and assistance to children in the aftermath of a crisis, including triage, short-term counseling, and referral to community services. We must develop the necessary infrastructure and train crisis response personnel to protect our youth in the next crisis. This bulletin describes an organizational model for school preparedness and effective responses to crises. Developed by the National Center for Children Exposed to Violence at the Yale Child Study Center, the School Crisis Response Initiative promotes specific training for school personnel as well as interested community members so they may respond more effectively to the needs of our children in the aftermath of a crisis.
United States. Office of Justice Programs. Office for Victims of Crime
2003-09
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International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program: Report to Congress, 2009
"In the aftermath of an international terrorism incident, victims and their families must address multiple immediate needs--including medical and mental health care, housing, and emergency travel--often while thousands of miles away from home or far from a stable support system, and often in the midst of physical and emotional trauma. In 2000, the United States Congress recognized the importance of providing support and assistance to victims and their families during such a difficult and challenging time by passing an amendment to the Victims of Crime Act of 1984, which established the International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program (ITVERP). ITVERP is administered by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), and provides centralized financial assistance to victims of international terrorism and their families. ITVERP is funded through the Antiterrorism Emergency Reserve (the Emergency Reserve), a component of the Crime Victims Fund (the Fund). The Fund is financed by fines and penalties paid by convicted federal criminal offenders, as well as gifts, donations, and bequests from private individuals; it does not receive tax dollars.[…] This Report to Congress highlights OVC's accomplishments in its management and International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program administration of ITVERP from June 2007 through August 2008. It also identifies how OVC, through ITVERP, can continue to ensure that all eligible victims--and their family members--who have been affected by acts of international terrorism overseas are reimbursed for the expenses they incur as a result of the terrorism act."
United States. Office of Justice Programs. Office for Victims of Crime
2009
