DOJ and OVC Logo

Critical Issue Updates | Newsletters & Fact Sheets
OVC Grant-Related Articles | Other Products/Videos
Speeches & Press Releases | Topical Resources


Welcome to OVC
What's New
Grants and Funding
Help for Victims
Publications
OVC Resource Center
Training and Technical Assistance
Resources for International Victims
Research and Statistics

OVC Directory of Crime Victim Services

Publications

The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) publishes literature on emerging victim issues, promising practices, policy development, and technical assistance and skill-building tools. OVC victim-related resources are sorted by:

To learn more about OVC publications and victim-related resources from other agencies:


OVC Publications Index

OVC publications are designed to educate and assist victim services providers and allied professionals in their efforts to respond to victims of crime. A fee may be charged for the print version of some documents. Click on the shopping cart icon at the top of this page and enter the product's NCJ number for specific information.

e-only icon = Available online only.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M
N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Attorney General Guidelines for Victim and Witness Assistance 2000 (January 2000)
Guidelines for Department of Justice personnel on how to treat crime victims and witnesses based on the federal victims' rights laws and Department policy (NCJ 178249).

Breaking the Cycle of Violence: Recommendations to Improve the Criminal Justice Response to Child Victims and Witnesses (June 1999)
This OVC monograph (NCJ 176983) describes the best practices and programs that focus on the most effective response to child victims and child witnesses by all those who work in our criminal justice system.
ASCII (79 kb) or PDF (1.35 mb)

Bridging the Systems to Empower Victims: Mental Health and Victim Services Training Guide (May 2000 reprint)
This OVC resource manual has two parts. The instructor resource manual (NCJ 179217) for curricula on victim empowerment (with attention to rape victims) contains articles and information written from either a mental health or a victim services perspective. (The document was originally printed in 1996 under the title Victim Empowerment: Bridging the Systems—Mental Health and Victim Service Providers (NCJ 161862). The student resource manual (NCJ 163173) presents workshop materials and training tips for a 2-day training program designed to foster cooperation and collaboration between victim service and mental health providers. e-only icon
Instructor manual: HTML
Student manual: HTML, ASCII (299 kb), or PDF (426 kb)

Child Sexual Exploitation: Improving Investigations and Protecting Victims—A Blueprint for Action (January 1995)
This OVC report (NCJ 153527) provides guidelines for collaboration among federal, state, and local agencies involved in the investigation and prosecution of child pornography and prostitution cases and in the provision of services to young victims of these crimes. Abstract and ordering information or ASCII (114 kb)

Children Exposed to Violence: Criminal Justice Resources (June 1999)
This OVC bulletin (NCJ 176984) is a companion piece to the OVC monograph "Breaking the Cycle of Violence: Recommendations to Improve the Criminal Justice Response to Child Victims and Witnesses" (NCJ 176983). It provides information about the resources, tools, and services available to improve our individual and collective response to children who face crime and violence in their lives.
ASCII (64 kb) or PDF (105 kb)

Children at Clandestine Methamphetamine Labs: Helping Meth's Youngest Victims (June 2003)
This bulletin (NCJ 197590) describes the health and safety risks faced by children who live at or visit clandestine methamphetamine labs. Measures are suggested to respond to children's mental and physical health issues when law enforcement officers seize meth labs. The experiences of several states that use multidisciplinary teams are offered as examples of promising interventions and the importance of collaboration among federal, state, and local agencies to ensure the care and protection of these children is emphasized.

The Community Crisis Response Team Training Manual, Second Edition (May 1998)
This OVC manual (NCJ 173406) is designed to train individuals and communities on crisis response. It presents an overview of crisis, trauma, and crisis response intervention, including scope of catastrophes, factors affecting trauma response, and how crisis intervention services must take these factors into account. Other topics include group crisis intervention techniques, coordinating a crisis response team, managing the media in crisis situations, and stress reactions of caregivers. A 210-item bibliography is also included. e-only icon
HTML, ASCII (52.1 kb split into 26 smaller files), or PDF (2.6 mb split into 26 smaller files)

Community Outreach Through Police in Schools (August 2003)
This OVC bulletin (NCJ 197038) describes a collaborative effort between child development and community policing practitioners to help children cope with the effects of violence. The school-based intervention program combines the experience of police officers and mental health professionals to minimize the emotional and psychological effects of violence on middle school students. e-only icon

Conference Planning Guide (September 1997)
This OVC guide (NCJ 166593) teaches the conference planning skills that result in a successful conference, from selecting a site to negotiating contracts and signing up speakers. The 7-part guide includes training initiatives and technical assistance available from OVC and 11 appendixes of conference planning forms. e-only icon

Crime Victim Compensation Program Directory (2002)
This compensation directory describes crime victim compensation programs by state. Provided by the National Association of Crime Victim Compensation Boards, this off-site directory (housed outside of the OVC Web site) includes details on each state's requirements, benefits, and procedures. e-only icon

Denver Victim Services 2000 Needs Assessment (October 2000)
This OVC bulletin (NCJ 183397) describes the creation of the Denver VS2000 model service network, a 5-year demonstration project to create a comprehensive, coordinated, seamless service delivery system for victims of crime. It summarizes the efforts and results of the three-pronged victims needs assessment conducted by Denver VS2000 in 1997 and 1998, and details the development of an assessment strategy and the creation of measurement tools.

Establishing Victim Services Within a Law Enforcement Agency: The Austin Experience (March 2001)
This bulletin (NCJ 185334) describes the benefits to both victims and law enforcement officials of incorporating victim assistance staff within law enforcement agencies. The document is a case study of the Austin, Texas, Police Department, recounting how the department established and funded its first full-time victim assistance coordinator position and how victim services successfully grew from a one-person operation to a four-unit Victim Services Division. e-only icon

First Response to Victims of Crime (December 2001)
This OVC handbook for law enforcement officers (NCJ 189631) describes how to approach and help different types of crime victims. It is designed as a field guide for personnel who respond first to crime victims and includes contacts for assistance. Also available in other languages. e-only icon

First Response to Victims of Crime Who Have a Disability (October 2002)
This handbook for law enforcement officers (NCJ 195500) describes how to approach and help victims who have Alzheimer’s Disease, mental illness, or mental retardation or who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, or hard of hearing. It is designed as a field guide for personnel who respond first to crime victims and includes contacts for assistance.

From Pain to Power: Crime Victims Take Action (September 1998)
Following an overview of the effects of crime on its victims, this OVC monograph (NCJ 166604) addresses some of the benefits of community involvement for crime victims, including rebuilding self-esteem, reducing isolation, regaining a sense of power, and dealing with fear and anger. The monograph discusses victim assistance, victims' rights advocacy, and violence prevention and presents some caveats regarding victim activism.

Guide for Policymakers (1999) / 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. The Handbook on Justice for Victims is available in electronic format only. A brief Guide for Policymakers (NCJ 179084) has also been developed to highlight programmes and policies that have been put into effect in various jurisdictions.

HIV/AIDS and Victim Services: A Critical Concern for the ‘90s, a Training Manual (1996)
This OVC manual (NCJ 161415) offers an overview of the medical, legal, and counseling issues associated with HIV/AIDS. It describes the impact on victims of crime and on the workplace, and the possible responses of victim assistance professionals. It also includes a trainer's manual. Abstract and ordering information

I'm Going to Federal Court with Mark & Julie (1997)
This OVC activity book (PDF only) includes pages to color, games, puzzles, and information to teach child witnesses about the court experience they will face. The book is a companion piece to the video Inside Federal Court (September 1995; NCJ 157156), which also instructs children and their families about the court process to build confidence and reduce anxiety about testifying. e-only icon
PDF (10.35 mb)

Impact Statements: A Victim's Right To Speak, A Nation's Responsibility To Listen (July 1994)
This OVC report (NCJ 154395) discusses the state of victim rights in the United States and focuses on the right to submit victim impact statements. It examines the effectiveness of victim impact statements, proposes models for implementation of impact statements in states that do not yet provide for them, and discusses various aspects of victimization and social services for victims. e-only icon

Improving the Police Response to Domestic Elder Abuse (September 1993)
Instructor (NCJ 147558) and Participant Training Manual (NCJ 148831)
These OVC training manuals teach the legal mandates related to police officers, the process of aging, and aspects of elder abuse that police may encounter. The Participant's manual also focuses on improving the police response to domestic elder abuse. Both manuals offer practical information that can be applied to police encounters with elder abuse victims, suspects, and witnesses. Also included are training resources, model police response and investigation procedures, and a literature review. Abstract and ordering information

Improving Tribal/Federal Prosecution of Child Sexual Abuse Cases Through Agency Cooperation (September 1999)
This OVC bulletin (NCJ 172877) encourages close cooperation between tribal and federal law enforcement agencies to ensure effective investigation and prosecution of child abuse cases. Employing multiagency protocols and teams, for instance, helps address the jurisdictional overlap and confusion in oversight that often leads to multiple investigations and child interviews, which result in unnecessary victim trauma.
HTML, ASCII (30 kb), or PDF (89 kb)

International Crime Victim Compensation Program Directory (March 1999)
This OVC directory (NCJ 173392) lists contact information for victim compensation programs in 29 countries, including the United States and the District of Columbia. e-only icon
HTML, ASCII (64 kb), or PDF (227 kb)

Internet Crimes Against Children (December 2001)
This document (NCJ 184931) explores the nature of Internet crime and the complex challenges it poses for law enforcement personnel and victim service providers as they work to protect children. The document discusses challenges such as investigating geographically dispersed crimes, gathering evidence, and apprehending offenders while considering how best to respond to children and their families.

Leadership in Victim Services (June 2002)
This NVAA workbook (NCJ 197343) focuses on the differences between management and leadership and explores the principles of leadership and the qualities of exceptional leaders. Also concentrates on ethics, resiliency, ownership, problem solving, team building, and facilitating change. e-only icon
ASCII (341 kb) or PDF (670 kb; also available in 10 smaller PDF files)

Learning About Victims of Crime: A Training Model for Victim Service Providers and Allied Professionals (September 2003)
Fifth in a series documenting the accomplishments of the Victim Services 2000 (VS2000) project, this OVC bulletin (NCJ 199934) summarizes initiatives at the Denver VS2000 site and how participants there approached cross training victim service providers and allied professionals in faith communities, law enforcement settings, and judicial and other legal settings. e-only icon

Learning All About Court With "B.J.": An Activity Book for Children Going to Federal or Tribal Court (September 1997)
This OVC activity book (NCJ 167252) contains games, puzzles, and information designed to instruct children on the jobs performed by tribal and federal court personnel. The activity book uses the same characters as and is designed to accompany the video B.J. Learns About Federal and Tribal Court (NCJ 139730). PDF (12 mb)

Looking Back—Moving Forward: A Guidebook for Communities Responding to Sexual Assault, Workbook To Accompany Guidebook, and Training Guide (1993)
This OVC guide (NCJ 153768) is designed to help communities develop a training program for responding to sexual assault and write a protocol based on community needs and resources. The workbook is designed to complement the materials in the Guidebook and to assist Interagency Councils with organizing and carrying out the steps for developing and implementing multidisciplinary, multiagency, victim-centered protocol. The Training Guide is designed to prepare participants—agency and organizational representatives on the Sexual Assault Interagency Council (SAIC)—to write protocol. e-only icon
Abstract and ordering information: Guidebook, Workbook, Training Guide

Making Collaboration Work: The Experiences of Denver Victim Services 2000 (December 2002)
This bulletin (NCJ 194177) documents the Victim Services 2000 collaborative model in Denver, which allied community and criminal justice-based victim services providers to provide comprehensive services to victims of crime. The bulletin discusses leadership, the use of technology for case management, community advocacy, and lessons learned from this effort. e-only icon

A Manual for Clergy and Congregations, Special Edition for Military Chaplains (1996)
This OVC manual (NCJ 192519) for the clergy is an elementary guide to understanding the issues confronting victims of crime. The manual covers victimization by the following crimes: spousal/partner abuse, rape, elderly abuse, robbery/assault/burglary, and violent death. e-only icon

Meeting the Needs of the Victims of the September 11th Terrorist Attacks: Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2002 Report to Congress (April 2003)
This report (NCJ 200377) summarizes OVC's use of $68.1 million authorized by Congress in the Defense Appropriations Act of 2002 to assist the victims and survivors of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. e-only icon

Minority Community Victim Assistance (1990)
This OVC handbook (NCJ 170148) is designed to give minority community residents a practical approach to assisting crime victims in their communities and neighborhoods; for law enforcement agencies, the handbook describes victim services that are both cost effective and feasible for community-based programs. e-only icon

National Bias Crimes Training for Law Enforcement and Victim Assistance Professionals: A Guide for Training Instructors (1995)
This OVC guide (NCJ 155130) trains instructors in teaching a 2-1/2-day curriculum designed to enhance the services that police and victim-assistance professionals provide to victims of bias crimes.
Abstract and ordering information

National Victim Assistance Academy 2002
This OVC textbook (NCJ 197109) is an overview of the National Victim Assistance Academy, the university-based, foundation-level course in victim assistance and victimology. This rigorous, 45-hour academic curriculum emphasizes foundations in victimology, victims' rights and services, and new developments in the field of victim assistance. e-only icon

National Victim Assistance Academy 2002 Instructor's Manual (June 2002)
This instructor’s manual (NCJ 197298) supports the National Victim Assistance Academy 2002 text. It includes sections outlining the nuts and bolts of NVAA participation and instruction, principles of adult learning, effective presentation techniques, and recommended training outlines for each chapter topic in the NVAA text. e-only icon

New Directions from the Field: Victims' Rights and Services for the 21st Century (1998)
This OVC report (NCJ 170600) is a comprehensive report and set of recommendations on crime victims' rights and services from and concerning virtually every community involved with crime victims across the Nation.
HTML, ASCII (978 kb; also available split into 23 smaller text files), or PDF (1.6 mb; also available split into 23 smaller PDF files)

New Directions from the Field: Victims’ Rights and Services for the 21st Century Bulletins (August 1998)
This set of bulletins is based on recommendations for victim services presented in OVC’s New Directions from the Field: Victims’ Rights and Services for the 21st Century to create a comprehensive response system in every community. Each bulletin is community-specific.

Executive Summary (bulletin #1) (August 1998)
(NCJ 172811)
ASCII (47 kb) or PDF (131 kb)

Victims’ Rights (bulletin #2) (August 1998)
(NCJ 172812)
ASCII (96 kb) or PDF (220 kb)

Law Enforcement (bulletin #3) (August 1998)
(NCJ 172813)
ASCII (66 kb) or PDF (171 kb)

Prosecution (bulletin #4) (August 1998)
(NCJ 172814)
ASCII (59 kb) or PDF (162 kb)

Judiciary (bulletin #5) (August 1998)
(NCJ 172815)
ASCII (58 kb) or PDF (157 kb)

Corrections (bulletin #6) (August 1998)
(NCJ 172816)
ASCII (70 kb) or PDF (172 kb)

Victim Assistance Community (bulletin #7) (August 1998)
(NCJ 172817)
ASCII (119 kb) or PDF (227 kb)

Health Care Community (bulletin #8) (August 1998)
(NCJ 172818)
ASCII (55 kb) or PDF (154 kb)

Mental Health Community (bulletin #9) (August 1998)
(NCJ 172819)
ASCII (79 kb) or PDF (175 kb)

Legal Community (bulletin #10) (August 1998)
(NCJ 172820)
ASCII (36 kb) or PDF (129 kb)

Education Community (bulletin #11) (August 1998)
(NCJ 172821)
ASCII (52 kb) or PDF (152 kb)

Faith Community (bulletin #12) (August 1998)
(NCJ 172822)
ASCII (27 kb) or PDF (123 kb)

Business Community (bulletin #13) (August 1998)
(NCJ 172823)
ASCII (44 kb) or PDF (146 kb)

News Media Community (bulletin #14) (August 1998)
(NCJ 172824)
ASCII (25 kb) or PDF (122 kb)

Crime Victim’s Compensation (bulletin #15) (August 1998)
(NCJ 172829)
ASCII (76 kb) or PDF (171 kb)

Restitution (bulletin #16) (August 1998)
(NCJ 172825)
ASCII (46 kb) or PDF (145 kb)

Civil Remedies (bulletin #17) (August 1998)
(NCJ 172826)
ASCII (22 kb) or PDF (121 kb)

Child Victims (bulletin #18) (August 1998)
(NCJ 172827)
ASCII (76 kb) or PDF (175 kb)

International Perspectives (bulletin #19) (August 1998)
(NCJ 172828)
ASCII (37 kb) or PDF (140 kb)

New Directions from the Field: Victims' Rights and Services for the 21st Century, Strategies for Implementation Tools for Action Guide (February 2000)
This OVC action guide (NCJ 179558) provides valuable resources for implementing the recommendations, ideas, and promising practices contained in New Directions from the Field: Victims' Rights and Services for the 21st Century.
HTML, ASCII (287 kb), or PDF (1.8 mb; also available split into 28 smaller PDF files)

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 these victims understand their reactions to an act of terrorism or mass violence. Also available in other languages.
HTML, ASCII (20 kb), or PDF (165 kb)

OVC Help Series (March 2002)
The OVC Help Series (BC 000669) is a set of 10 brochures that address 8 categories of crime victimization: assault, child abuse, domestic violence, drunk driving, homicide, robbery, sexual assault, and stalking. Each brochure includes an overview of general crime facts, a description of what victims may experience, and suggestions for how to seek help. The brochures are intended to supplement the information victim service providers can offer and to give victims a resource they can easily refer to in a crisis. Also available in other languages.

Assault Victimization (February 2002) e-only icon
ASCII (9 kb) or PDF (70 kb)

Child Abuse Victimization (February 2002) e-only icon
ASCII (9 kb) or PDF (76 kb)

Domestic Violence Victimization (February 2002) e-only icon
ASCII (10 kb) or PDF (73 kb)

Drunk Driving Victimization (February 2002) e-only icon
ASCII (8 kb) or PDF (57 kb)

Homicide Covictimization (February 2002) e-only icon
ASCII (9 kb) or PDF (73 kb)

Robbery Victimization (February 2002) e-only icon
ASCII (8 kb) or PDF (70 kb)

Sexual Assault Victimization (February 2002) e-only icon
ASCII (9 kb) or PDF (71 kb)

Stalking Victimization (February 2002) e-only icon
ASCII (9 kb) or PDF (57 kb)

What You Should Know About Child Abuse (For Children Ages 6–11) (February 2002) e-only icon
ASCII (7 kb) or PDF (76 kb)

What You Should Know About Child Abuse (For Teenagers Ages 12–16) (February 2002) e-only icon
ASCII (9 kb) or PDF (72 kb)

OVC Legal Series Bulletins
OVC Legal Series bulletins are designed to inform victim advocates and other professionals who work with victims of crime about various legal issues relating to crime victims. They highlight existing legislation, important court decisions in cases in which courts have addressed the issues, and current trends or "hot topics" relating to each legal issue.

The Crime Victim's Right To Be Present (January 2002)
This OVC bulletin (NCJ 189187) provides an overview of state laws addressing the rights of victims to attend criminal justice proceedings, particularly trials, and how their presence might affect the rights of defendants.
HTML or PDF (194 kb)

Enforcement of Protective Orders (January 2002)
This OVC bulletin (NCJ 189190) provides an overview of state laws and issues related to the enforcement of protective orders.
HTML or PDF (117 kb)

Ordering Restitution to the Crime Victim (November 2002)
This OVC bulletin (NCJ 189189) provides an overview of state laws addressing the rights of victims to receive court-ordered restitution from offenders in criminal cases.
HTML or PDF (137 kb)

Privacy of Victims’ Counseling Communications (November 2002)
This OVC bulletin (NCJ 192264) provides an overview of state laws and issues related to the privacy of communications between victims and their counselors.
HTML or PDF (137 kb)

Reporting School Violence (January 2002)
This OVC bulletin (NCJ 189191) provides an overview of state laws enacted in recent years to address violence in U.S. schools.
HTML or PDF (192 kb)

Restitution: Making It Work (November 2002)
This OVC bulletin (NCJ 189193) provides an overview of state legislation and issues related to the collection of court-ordered restitution to crime victims.
HTML or PDF (129 kb)

State Legislative Approaches to Funding for Victims’ Services (December 2003)
This OVC bulletin (NCJ 199477) provides an overview of state legislative approaches to raising funds for victim compensation and assistance programs.
HTML or PDF (145 kb)

Strengthening Antistalking Statutes (January 2002)
This OVC bulletin (NCJ 189192) provides an overview of state legislation and issues related to stalking.
HTML or PDF (117 kb)

Victim Input Into Plea Agreements (November 2002)
This OVC bulletin (NCJ 189188) provides an overview of state laws addressing the rights of victims to be involved during plea negotiations in criminal cases.
HTML or PDF (155 kb)

OVC National Directory of Victim Assistance Funding Opportunities 2001 (September 2001)
This OVC resource directory (NCJ 189218) lists by state and territory the contact names and information for federally funded crime victim assistance programs and includes particulars on grant programs that help state and local agencies prepare for and respond to incidents of domestic terrorism and criminal mass casualty.
HTML, ASCII (300 kb), or PDF (969 kb)

National Resource Directory of Victim Assistance Funding Opportunities 2000 (May 2000)
This OVC directory (NCJ 181042) lists the contact names, mailing addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses for the federal grant programs that provide assistance to crime victims. e-only icon
HTML, ASCII (328 kb), or PDF (502 kb)

OVC Products and Services Brochure (Updated August 2004)
This OVC brochure (BC 000703) describes the OVC resources that help you deliver comprehensive, quality services to victims of crime, including the OVC Resource Center, the OVC Training and Technical Assistance Center, and the OVC Web site. Also available in other languages. PDF (431 kb)

OVC Publishing Guidelines for Print and Web Media (August 2004)
This OVC guide (NCJ 205247) describes the criteria grantees must follow when preparing text for publication. A new chapter outlines the specific requirements for writing web-based publications. Other topics include the types of OVC publications, the publication submission process, word processing and formatting guidelines, and legal and policy requirements. The guidelines are designed to help grantees work with OVC to produce a quality product that meets or exceeds professional standards of excellence e-only icon

OVC Report to the Nation 2001 (December 2001)
This OVC report (NCJ 189205) describes OVC's major undertakings—grants, programs, and initiatives funded by moneys deposited in the Crime Victims Fund—during fiscal years 1999 and 2000. This statutorily required document demonstrates how OVC works to improve the criminal justice response to victims, make services and resources more accessible, and expand the range and quality of services for victims nationwide and worldwide.
HTML, ASCII (194 kb), or PDF (936 kb)

Program Standards (1996)
This OVC document outlines common goals and objectives for victim compensation programs. e-only icon
HTML or PDF (95 kb)

Promising Practices and Strategies for Victim Services in Corrections (July 1999)
This report (NCJ 166605) offers an overview of correctional practices and planning strategies for responding to victims of crime. It contains a wealth of ideas to establish and enhance corrections-based victim services, particularly improving treatment of crime victims in the postsentencing phase of their cases. e-only icon
ASCII (148 kb) or PDF (4.1 mb)

Promising Victim-Related Practices and Strategies in Probation and Parole (1999)
This OVC compendium (NCJ 166606) explains ways in which probation and parole can change from being simply offender directed to a balanced approach that addresses the specific needs of all involved, including victims.
HTML, ASCII (451 kb), or PDF (3.70 mb)

Providing Relief to Families After a Mass Fatality: Roles of the Medical Examiner's Office and the Family Assistance Center (November 2002)
This bulletin (NCJ 188912) offers medical examiners, coroners, and victim assistance professionals guidance, resources, and lessons learned about working with victims' families after a mass fatality event. Recommendations are drawn from the disaster response practices used by the National Transportation Safety Board and the experiences of the Oklahoma City Medical Examiner's Office during the aftermath of the 1995 terrorist bombing in that city.

Providing Services to Victims of Fraud: Resources for Victim/Witness Coordinators (July 1998)
This OVC manual (NCJ 170594) presents materials and guidelines to give federal personnel who work with fraud victims the resources they need to develop effective, sensitive, and fraud-specific victim assistance programs and services. It provides effective program service strategies, suggestions to enhance services to fraud victims, and referrals to outside agencies and programs that provide fraud victims with services or information.
HTML or PDF (7 mb)

Responding to Hate Crime: A Multidisciplinary Curriculum (2000)
The six-session training program instructs law enforcement and victim assistance personnel on strategies for identifying bias crimes, responding to victims, and contributing to successful investigations and prosecutions. The interactive style of the OVC curriculum (NCJ 182290) facilitates adult learning and includes case studies, videos, handouts, flip charts, and transparencies. The training package is a revision of the National Bias Crime Training Manual (NCJ 155130 - print only). e-only icon

Responding to Terrorism Victims: Oklahoma City and Beyond (October 2000)
This OVC report (NCJ 183949) identifies special measures needed to protect the rights and meet the needs of victims of large-scale terrorist attacks involving mass casualties based on lessons learned from the Oklahoma City bombing and other mass casualty events.
HTML, ASCII (161 kb), or PDF (1.5 mb)

The Restorative Justice and Mediation Collection: The Collection (April 2000)
This collection of OVC documents describes the field of restorative justice and discusses the practice of victim-offender mediation as a restorative programmatic approach for crime victims. e-only icon

Directory of Victim-Offender Mediation Programs in the United States (April 2000)
This OVC directory (NCJ 176349) provides addresses, telephone numbers, and contact and other basic information about domestic victim-offender mediation programs. e-only icon
HTML, ASCII (143 kb), or PDF (570 kb)

Family Group Conferencing: Implications for Crime Victims (April 2000)
This OVC report (NCJ 176347) discusses the implications of family group conferencing for crime victims based on its use in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and the United States. e-only icon
HTML, ASCII (34 kb), or PDF (469 kb)

Guidelines for Victim-Sensitive Victim-Offender Mediation: Restorative Justice Through Dialogue (April 2000)
This OVC report (NCJ 176346) examines victim-offender mediation, a major program intervention that fully embraces the concepts of restorative justice. e-only icon
HTML, ASCII (86 kb), or PDF (578 kb)

Multicultural Implications of Restorative Justice: Potential Pitfalls and Dangers (April 2000)
This OVC report (NCJ 176348) aims to inform practitioners about multicultural concerns associated with the implementation of restorative justice approaches. e-only icon
HTML, ASCII (58 kb), or PDF (507 kb)

National Survey of Victim-Offender Mediation Programs in the United States (April 2000)
This OVC survey report (NCJ 176350) contains information on the characteristics of various victim-offender mediation programs operating throughout the United States and major issues they face in the course of their daily operations. e-only icon
HTML, ASCII (53 kb), or PDF (508 kb)

The Restorative Justice and Mediation Collection: Executive Summary (July 2000)
This OVC bulletin (NCJ 180301) summarizes the five documents in the Restorative Justice and Mediation Collection, which provides guidance on establishing victim-sensitive restorative justice programs and is a valuable resource for probation and parole agencies, judicial agencies, religious groups, victim service organizations, community-based organizations, and those interested in a restorative conflict resolution process.
HTML, ASCII (53 kb), or PDF (950 kb)

Roles, Rights, and Responsibilities: A Handbook for Fraud Victims Participating in the Federal Criminal Justice System (1998)
This OVC handbook (NCJ 172830) provides guidance to victims of fraud whose cases are processed in the federal criminal justice system to help them cope with the effects of their victimization, understand their options for participation in case processing, avail themselves of victim services, and protect themselves from fraud in the future.
HTML, ASCII (60 kb), or PDF (115 kb)

Safe Harbor: A School-Based Victim Assistance/Violence Prevention Program (January 2003)
This OVC bulletin (NCJ 193464) describes Safe Harbor, a promising practice for addressing violence prevention and victim assistance issues in schools. It summarizes implementation issues and program evaluation results at 10 replication sites around the United States. Useful for teachers, administrators, and victim assistance professionals. e-only icon

School Crisis Response Initiative (September 2003)
This OVC bulletin (NCJ 197832) describes an innovative model for preparing for fast and effective responses to the needs of students after violent or traumatic crises. Crisis response teams made up of trained school personnel and community members provide student support and assistance, including triage, counseling, and referral to community services.

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Development & Operation Guide (August 1999)
This OVC document (NCJ 170609) provides an effective model for sexual assault medical evidentiary exams and offers a multidisciplinary, victim-centered way of responding to sexual assault victims by outlining specific steps to replicate "best practices" for improving the response to victims.
ASCII (214 kb) or PDF (7 mb)

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Programs: Improving the Community Response to Sexual Assault Victims (April 2001)
This OVC bulletin (NCJ 186366) provides an overview of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) programs and their contributions to improving community response to sexual assault victims, identifies promising practices in such programs, and provides practical guidelines for establishing a SANE program. e-only icon
HTML, ASCII (86 kb), or PDF (2 mb)

State Legislators' Handbook for Statutory Rape Issues (February 2000)
This OVC handbook (NCJ 178238) discusses state legislative actions to address the issues of statutory rape and provides a framework for developing and analyzing legislation that would criminalize sexual intercourse with a minor based on the minor's age. It includes questions for each issue that legislators and policymakers should consider before drafting new legislation or amending existing laws.
HTML, ASCII (34 kb), or PDF (305 kb)

Subgrantees' Training Guide: Victims of Crime Act, Victim Assistance Grant Program (September 1999)
This OVC training guide (NCJ 175717) provides technical assistance to victim service organizations funded by the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) in three areas: developing human resources, managing money and fundraising, and adhering to VOCA victim assistance grant guidelines.
ASCII (93 kb) or PDF (309 kb)

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 (2.40 mb)

Trauma, Death, and Death Notification: A Seminar for Professional Counselors and Victim Advocates (1996)
This OVC document (NCJ 162360) contains guidelines on trauma and death notification developed by Mothers Against Drunk Driving as part of a seminar for professional counselors and victim advocates. It includes guidance on planning a trauma, death, and death notification seminar for professional counselors and victim advocates and addresses crisis responder stress, post-traumatic stress disorder, and secondary traumatization. The curriculum may be particularly useful for mental health counselors and victim advocates.

The Ultimate Educator: Achieving Maximum Adult Learning Through Training and Instruction (June 2002)
This NVAA workbook (NCJ 197261) reviews the basics of training design, the differences between adult and child learners, and ideas for making presentations memorable. Topics included coordination, learning styles, presentation techniques, facilitation skills, lesson development, and session evaluation. Includes sample forms and worksheets. e-only icon

Understanding DNA Evidence: A Guide for Victim Service Providers
This OVC bulletin (NCJ 185690) and brochure (BC 000657) offer victim service providers an understanding of how DNA testing may be used in victims' cases, the process and procedures used, and the potential outcomes from the test.
Bulletin (April 2001): HTML, ASCII (14 kb), or PDF (573 kb)
Brochure (May 2001): HTML, ASCII (14 kb), or PDF (360 kb)

USA Bulletin: Victims’ Rights (January 1999, vol. 47, no. 1)
This United States Attorneys’ bulletin (NCJ 175038) is dedicated solely to victim-witness matters, with emphasis on the role of prosecutors. This special 96-page issue also chronicles legislation from the past two decades that provides procedural and remedial rights to victims, such as the Mandatory Victims Restitution Act of 1996, the Emergency Witness Assistance Program, the Crime Victims Fund, and the Drug Victim Initiative. e-only icon
PDF (370 kb)

Using Geographic Information Systems To Map Crime Victim Services: A Guide for State Victims of Crime Act Administrators and Victim Service Providers (February 2003)
This monograph (NCJ 191877), jointly developed by OVC and NIJ, examines how crime mapping technologies can be used to develop strategic program and financial plans for supporting victim services. Geographic Information System (GIS) technology can analyze the types of crime by location, victim population groups, and the service areas of victim service organizations. e-only icon

Using Technology To Enable Collaboration (August 2001)
Following the OVC bulletin Denver Victim Services 2000 Needs Assessment, this bulletin (NCJ 187528) continues to document VS2000 initiatives by describing the VS2000 automated information system, its implementation, and suggestions for developing and maintaining technology-based solutions to serve crime victims. It discusses the technology initiative that needs assessments revealed as critical for achieving the goals of establishing a seamless, accessible system of services. This information will help victim service providers and agencies determine the best technology for enhancing interagency collaboration to support victims in the community.
HTML, ASCII (79 kb), or PDF (715 kb)

Victim-Oriented Multidisciplinary Responses to Statutory Rape Training Guide (February 2000)
This OVC guidebook (NCJ 178237) raises the various problems law enforcement, prosecutors, and victim service providers encounter in statutory rape cases and identifies promising practices for dealing with them.
HTML, ASCII (109 kb), or PDF (589 kb)

Victims, Judges, and Juvenile Court Reform Through Restorative Justice (October 2000)
This OVC bulletin (NCJ 179383) documents the views expressed by victims of juvenile offenders and juvenile court judges who were engaged in a structured dialogue about the problems in juvenile court and their potential solutions.
HTML, ASCII (61 kb), or PDF (1.11 mb) e-only icon

Victims of Fraud and Economic Crime (May 2000)
This OVC bulletin (NCJ 176357) documents the ideas generated by participants of the Fraud Victimization Focus Group convened by OVC in April 1998.
HTML, ASCII (21 kb), or PDF (239 kb)

Victims' Rights Compliance Efforts: Experiences in Three States (1998)
This OVC report (NCJ 168099) analyzes the elements of the victims' rights compliance enforcement programs in Colorado, Minnesota, and Wisconsin based on a variety of data collection techniques, including an analysis of relevant victims' rights laws and constitutional provisions and interviews with involved officials. e-only icon

Victims' Rights Compliance Efforts: Experiences in Three States
This OVC bulletin (NCJ 167241) describes the elements of a victims' rights compliance office and the experiences of victims' rights compliance efforts in Colorado, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.

When Will They Ever Learn? Educating to End Domestic Violence—A Law School Report (December 1997)
By integrating domestic violence issues into their curricula, law schools can give lawyers tools to assist victims effectively and improve the legal system's response to family violence. This and other recommendations stem from a 2-day meeting of experts convened in 1996 by the American Bar Association (ABA). This OVC-ABA report (NCJ 168098) also includes supplemental information on domestic violence-focused law school programs and organizations. e-only icon
HTML, ASCII (158 kb), or PDF (479 kb)

Working with Grieving Children After Violent Death: A Guidebook for Crime Victim Assistance Professionals (August 1996)
This OVC guidebook (NCJ 165814) is intended as a "quick reference" for victim assistance professionals in their work with children, parents, teachers, and school counselors, clergy members, and others as they address the needs of grieving children who have been touched by the death of a family member or close friend. An Instructor's Guide (NCJ 178939) is also available. e-only icon

Working with Victims of Crime with Disabilities (September 1998)
This bulletin (NCJ 172838) presents recommendations on improving services to crime victims with disabilities, based on discussion at an OVC-funded 2-day symposium of victim assistance providers and related professionals. The bulletin identifies issues, service gaps, and barriers to access; recommends needed changes; and spotlights successful programs and promising practices that reach and serve crime victims with disabling conditions.
HTML, ASCII (90 kb), or PDF (163 kb)

Working With Victims of Gun Violence (July 2001)
This OVC bulletin (NCJ 186155) describes the impact of gun violence on victims, covictims, and their communities. It identifies key victim issues and needs, develops recommendations for how federal and state crime funds could be used to address the unmet needs of gun violence victims, and identifies promising practices to serve victims of gun violence.
HTML, ASCII (72 kb), or PDF (366 kb)

Other Victim-Related OJP Publications


 

This document was last updated on October 27, 2004