The following information resources may offer victim assistance information, research findings, educational materials, or strategies for program and policy development specific to this topic. A general listing of all OVC publications is also available.

International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program Report to Congress (February 2006)
This OVC Report to Congress (NCJ 210645) outlines the challenges and obstacles faced in developing the congressionally authorized International Terrorism Victims Expense Reimbursement Program, details the groundwork laid thus far, and discusses the emergency assistance provided to victims in the interim while program regulations are being finalized.

Directory of International Crime Victim Compensation Programs: 2004–2005 (October 2005)
This OVC directory (NCJ 206874) provides Americans who are working, traveling, and studying in other countries the eligibility criteria and contact information for 35 countries and territories (and Taiwan) that have crime victim compensation programs. Most offer financial assistance to Americans and other foreigners victimized by crime within their borders.

Guide for Policymakers/Handbook on Justice for Victims (1999)
In May 1996, the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, at its fifth session, adopted a resolution to develop a manual or manuals on the use and application of the Declaration. The Handbook on Justice for Victims (NCJ 179083) was developed in response to that resolution and outlines the basic steps in developing comprehensive assistance services for victims of crime. This Handbook on Justice for Victims is available in electronic format only. A brief Guide for Policymakers (NCJ 179084) has also been developed to highlight programs and policies that have been put into effect in various jurisdictions.

Guidelines on Justice for Child Victims and Witnesses of Crime (January 2003)
This document provides guidelines for victim service professionals, government and public agencies, international organizations, and nongovernmental organizations to ensure the rights of child victims and witnesses of crime are respected throughout the justice process and that children are not further victimized during this process. Produced by the International Bureau of Children's Rights (IBCR), this thematic report is available online in English, French, and Spanish. Multilingual PDF (169 kb)

Information for Victims of Trafficking in Persons and Forced Labor (2002)
This brochure (BC 00673) from the U.S. Department of Justice provides basic information about the rights of victims of trafficking in the United States and describes assistance and protections that may be available. Also available in other languages.
HTML or PDF (450 kb)

International Activities
HTML, ASCII (18 kb) or PDF (68 kb)

International Issues in Victim Assistance, National Victim Assistance Academy Text (2002)
The NVAA text emphasizes foundations in victimology and victims’ rights and services, as well as new developments in the field of victim assistance. Within Special Topics (chapter 22), a chapter and supplement address international issues that have become increasingly important as our societies have become more global and mobile.

International Perspectives, New Directions from the Field: Victims' Rights and Services for the 21st Century (August 1998)
This OVC bulletin (NCJ 172828) is a reprint of chapter 18 from New Directions and deals specifically with promising practices and recommendations related to International Perspectives. An executive summary and 17 other Bulletins complete the set.

OVC Handbook for Coping After Terrorism: A Guide to Healing and Recovery (September 2001)
This OVC handbook (NCJ 190249) provides victims of terrorism with information based on the expertise of mental health, crisis counseling, and victim assistance professionals. The handbook is intended to help such victims understand their reactions to an act of terrorism or mass violence. Also available in other languages.

Providing Services to Victims Viewing a Trial at Multiple Locations (September 2006)
To help victims and survivors of mass violence and terrorism, some courts have ordered the closed-circuit transmission of trial proceedings to multiple locations so that victims may more easily participate in the trial process. This e-pub (NCJ 212293) presents a protocol for providing standardized quality services in a safe haven environment to victims during the trial, sentencing, and other court proceedings of those involved in crimes of mass violence and terrorism.

Survivors of Politically Motivated Torture: A Large, Growing, and Invisible Population of Crime Victims (January 2000)
This OVC document (NCJ 178911) provides a definition of politically motivated torture, discusses the extent and intent of torture around the world, and explains the after-effects of torture on survivors and their families. It also details how treatment centers intervene to help torture victims and how these centers can collaborate with and provide training to victim assistance programs and allied professionals.
HTML, ASCII (31 kb) or PDF (2.35 mb)

Terrorism and International Victim Assistance Services Fact Sheet (March 2008)
This updated TIVAS fact sheet (FS000312) incorporates all of OVC's victim assistance programs for victims of terrorism in the United States and abroad. It includes such useful information as allowable expenditures, examples of assistance rendered, and conditions that must be met for requests to be approved.

Trafficking in Persons: A Guide for Non-governmental Organizations (2002)
This brochure (BC 000674) from the U.S. Department of Justice is intended for nongovernmental organizations, such as service providers and other community-based organizations, to use as a reference guide to help trafficking victims.
HTML or PDF (1.3 mb)