Headlines

On November 5, 2008, at 2 p.m. ET, OVC is sponsoring a Web Forum Guest Host Session on empowering victims to triumph over tragedy. Join Dan Levey, President of the National Organization of Parents of Murdered Children, Inc., and Debra Puglisi Sharp, member of the Board of Directors of the National Coalition of Victims in Action, for the session.

OVC announces the release of its 2007 report to Congress, Rebuilding Lives, Restoring Hope, which outlines the achievements of the Office for Victims of Crime during Fiscal Years 2005 and 2006. Specific grantee initiatives are profiled in the companion Focus On series.

OVC announces the release of the International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program 2007 Report to Congress (PDF 669 kb), which outlines the program’s activities and accomplishments during Fiscal Years 2006 and 2007, and discusses future needs and goals.

New Features! The Online Directory of Crime Victim Services now features enhanced search capabilities. Visit now and add your organization to the directory or sign up to receive alerts when new programs are added.

Sign up to receive NVAA updates and application information for the March 1–6, 2009, NVAA Academy to be held in the Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas, area. The National Victim Assistance Academy (NVAA) offers 3-track training in victims' rights and services to satisfy the entry-level, specialized, and leadership training needs of victim serving professionals.

Program funding from OVC continues with funding support for HOPE for victim service expansion efforts and ITVERP, the International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program.

End Domestic and Teen Dating Violence (October 2008)

During National Domestic Violence Awareness Month this October, teen dating violence will be highlighted. 

The Office for Victims of Crime offers links to useful resources to help victims of domestic and dating violence and also offers Web Forum discussions on teen dating violence and domestic violence (including older victims). In addition, the Family Violence Prevention Fund Web site maintains a list of national awareness activities occurring throughout the month and provides resources on teen dating violence.

Remind those who need help that they can call 800-799-7233 (TTY 800-787-3224) or visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

Improving the Response to Crime Victims With Disabilities (October 2008)

The Promising Practices for Serving Crime Victims With Disabilities bulletin and its companion toolkit can serve organizations seeking to improve their skills and response to crime victims with disabilities.

The promising practices and lessons resulted from an OVC-funded demonstration project undertaken by SafePlace to improve the local response of criminal justice personnel and victim service providers to people with disabilities.