Help Out: For crime victims, getting the help they need often requires them to live through their nightmare again and again. But with caring volunteers, they don't have to go it alone. From escorting victims to criminal justice proceedings to helping victims find appropriate counseling, volunteers are there to help. The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) does not directly offer volunteer opportunities, but find out how you can help crime victims by clicking on one of the links below.

General Volunteer Services—Search the following general volunteerism Web sites by location, skill, interest, keyword, and so forth for opportunities to help crime victims:

• Network for Good
• ServeNet
• Volunteer Match

You may also find ways to help out crime victims by looking for opportunities within victim serving organizations, many of which are listed in the Online Directory of Crime Victim Services. The Directory allows you to search for local crime victim assistance agencies in your area that may offer volunteer opportunities. Contact the local programs to see if you can help.

Serve.gov—An online resource that allows you to search for volunteer opportunities, by keyword.

September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance—A nationwide, congressionally endorsed effort to establish a long-term, meaningful, and positive way to observe 9/11 each year. Visit the Web site to pledge your time to serve crime victims.

Help for Crime Victims—Links to resources, organizations, and publications.

Toll-Free Telephone Numbers—Hotlines and 1-800 numbers for national victim serving organizations, clearinghouses, and referral organizations.

What Is the Office for Victims of Crime? (HTML)