The Office of Justice for Victims of Overseas Terrorism (OVT) was established by the Attorney General on May 6, 2005. Congress directed the establishment of the OVT in the Department of Justice Appropriations Act in December, 2004. The purpose of the OVT is to ensure that the investigation and prosecution of terrorist attacks against American citizens overseas remain a high priority within the Department of Justice. The OVT is responsible for monitoring the investigation and prosecution of terrorist attacks against Americans abroad; working with other pertinent Justice Department components to ensure that the rights of victims of such attacks are honored and respected; establishing a Joint Task Force with the Department of State, to be activated in the event of a terrorist incident against American citizens overseas; responding to Congressional and citizen inquires on the Department’s response to such attacks; compiling pertinent data and statistics; and filing any necessary reports with Congress.
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