The Office on Violence Against Women was created in 1995 to implement the 1994 Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and to lead the national effort to stop domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The Office on Violence Against Women administers 18 grant programs to help states, tribes, and local communities transform the way in which criminal justice systems respond to violent crimes against women and strengthen services to these victims.
Since its inception, OVW has awarded more than $3.5 billion in grants and cooperative agreements, and has launched a multifaceted approach to implementing VAWA. By forging state, local, and tribal partnerships among police, prosecutors, victim advocates, judges and court personnel, health care providers, faith leaders, and others, OVW grant programs help provide victims with the protection and services they need to pursue safe and healthy lives, while simultaneously enabling communities to hold offenders accountable for their violence.
National Hotlines
If you, or someone you know, are a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or dating violence please know that help is available.
If you, or someone you know, are a victim of domestic violence, please call:
National Domestic Violence Hotline available 24/7:
1-800-799-SAFE (7233) 1-800-787-3224 (TTY)
In addition, please visit our page on Domestic Violence Resources and Publications
If you, or someone you know, are a victim of sexual assault, please call:
Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN) available 24/7 to be transferred to the nearest rape crisis center.
1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
In addition, please visit our page on Sexual Assault Resources and Publications or the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)
If you, or someone you know, are a victim of stalking, please call:
National Center for Victims of Crime, Stalking Resource Center
1-800-FYI-CALL (1-800-394-2255)
1-800-211-7996 (TTY), Monday through Friday 8:30 AM = 8:30 PM EST or email gethelp@ncvc.org.
In addition, please visit our page on Stalking Resources or the National Center for Victims of Crime.
If you, or someone you know, are a victim of dating violence, please call:
National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline available 24/7
1-866-331-9474
1-866-331-8453 TTY
You can also chat live on-line with a trained Peer Advocate from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. (CST) daily.
In addition, please visit our page on Dating Violence or www.loveisrespect.org
The Office for Victims of Crime, part of the Office of Justice Programs, has additional information that can assist the community and individuals:
Help for Victims has information for victims of different kinds of crime, including domestic violence, incest or sexual abuse, child abuse, and stalking.
Domestic and Family Violence Information Resources
Stalking Information Resources
Victim of Sexual Offenders Information Resources
Toll-Free Telephone Numbers
DOJ Research and Statistical Publications
Communities and local law enforcement have formed partnerships to combat domestic violence. Learn about these success stories.
For more information about the Department components that are most
active in this area, consult the Office
on Violence Against Women and Office of Justice Programs web sites. |
