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**OVC PARTNERSHIP WITH UNITED STATESATTORNEYS' OFFICES**

The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) administers the Crime Victims Fund and provides training on the rights and needsof our nation's crime victims.  The Crime Victims Fund is derived from fines and special assessments collected from Federalcriminal offenders--not tax dollars.  A large part of this money is collected through the diligent efforts of Assistant U.S.Attorneys (AUSAs) and Financial Litigation Units (FLUs).  Approximately 90 percent of the Fund, which totaled roughly$363 million in 1997, is distributed by formula to States to support victim assistance and compensation programs that provideservices to victims of Federal, State, and Tribal crimes.  OVC implements many programs, develops materials, and providesfunding to enhance U.S. Attorneys' efforts on behalf of crime victims.  Partnership with the U. S. Attorneys' offices and OVCincludes public outreach and recognition as well as OVC funding, programs, and services.

******PUBLIC OUTREACH AND RECOGNITION**

Public outreach keeps U. S. Attorneys' offices updated withOVC information, and recognition gives OVC and the U. S.Attorneys' offices the opportunity to recognize outstandingaccomplishments or ideas that advance crime victims' rights.

******Outreach**

Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) and Native American GrantAwards to the States:  OVC notifies each U.S. Attorney whenthe annual crime victim assistance and compensation grant areawarded to States as well as provides a sample press release. U.S. Attorneys are also notified of awards made in IndianCountry under the Children's Justice Act and the VictimAssistance in Indian Country Grant Program as well as OVC'sdemonstration and national scope training and technicalassistance program.  Many U.S. Attorneys' offices use thisinformation to inform the public of their role in helping tosupport local victim service agencies, to prosecute Federaldefendants, and to collect fines and penalty assessments whichare deposited in the CrimeVictims Fund.  Some U.S. Attorneyshave joined with local crime victim advocates and State VOCAadministrators to participate in press conferences.

**Recognition**

National Crime Victims Rights Week (NCVRW):  NCVRW,which is commemorated annually in April, affords U.S.Attorneys an opportunity to play a key leadership role inpublicizing efforts to advance crime victims' rights.  DuringNCVRW, some U.S. Attorneys' offices organize a major eventin collaboration with local victims' organizations to highlightvictims' concerns and publicize district-specific efforts on theirbehalf.  In addition, districts often nominate a victim advocatefromthat district to receive the highest Federal honor forvictimadvocacy:  The National Crime Victims Service Award.  Eachyear nomination forms are available through OVC.

Crime Victims Fund Award:  U.S. Attorneys can nominateAUSAs and FLU personnel for the annual Crime Victims FundAward.  The Attorney General confers the award at a formalceremony honoring Federal employees of  both the Departmentof Justice and the Administrative Office of the U. S. Courtswhose dedicated and innovative efforts have substantiallyimproved Federal criminal debt collection and increased depositsinto the Crime Victims Fund--a primary financial resource thatmakes victim assistance and compensation programs possible.A letter soliciting nominations is sent to each U. S. Attorneyannually.

**OVC FUNDING, TRAINING, RESOURCES, andPRODUCTS**

**Funding**

Federal Crime Victims Assistance Fund: The OVC sets asidemoney each year to fund direct services requested by U.S.Attorneys' offices for victims of Federal crimes.  The Fund haspaid for transportation costs to court, crisis counseling,emergency shelter, emergency child care, and other essentialdirect services where local services are unavailable.

Funding for Innovative Programs: The OVC providesdiscretionary funding for innovative programs that improveservices for the nation's Federal crime victims and produce"promising practices" and strategies that can be easily replicatedby other U.S. Attorneys' offices.  Concept papers must besubmitted to the Law Enforcement CoordinatingCommittee/Victim-Witness(LECC/VW) Staff to receiveconsideration for funding.  Submissions will be reviewed andprioritized by the LECC/Victim-Witness Subcommittee of the 

Attorney General's Advisory Committee prior to submission toOVC for funding consideration.

Funding for EOUSA Positions: The OVC funds positions forEOUSA to assist the field with training and technical assistancerelated to victims' rights and improving services to victims ofFederal crime. Current positions that are available to provideassistance are as follows:

**Child Interview Specialist,**Kimberly Poyer, LCSW, USAODistrict of Columbia, 202-305-4882.

**Violence Against Women Act Specialist,**MargaretGroban, AUSA, District of Maine, 207-780-3257.

**Victims' Rights Legal Specialist,**vacant, Office of LegalEducation, 202-616-6700.

**Victims' Issues Legal Specialist,**Julie Breslow, Attorney,LECC/Victim Witness Staff, 202-616-6792.

**Training:**

District Specific Training: The OVC sponsors discipline-specific conferences and workshops that are designed bydistricts to meet their unique needs. These conferences assist U.S. Attorneys in their compliance with Federal crime victims'legislation and improve the response of Federal criminal justice,Tribal, military, and other personnel within their districts to theneeds of Federal crime victims. OVC provides the funding forthis training, including scholarships that allow conferenceparticipants from remote areas to attend.

Conferences: The OVC and EOUSA collaborate to provideCoordinators with basic and advance skills training at a varietyof conferences, such as the annual LECC/Victim-WitnessCoordinators National Conference, the Huntsville NationalSymposium on Child Sexual Abuse, and the NationalSymposium  on Victims of Federal Crime. In addition,Coordinators have been offered the opportunity to receivecollege credit for coursework completed during the week longNational Victim Assistance Academy held annually in July atfouruniversity sitesacrossthenation.Theconferencesallowparticipants toshareinformation,identifystrategies forstrengtheningprograms, andimproveskills.

**Resources:**

Trainers Bureau:  The OVC Trainers Bureau provides fortrainers and subject matter experts to travel to districts to offerspecialized training and technical assistance on diversevictim-related topics, including the trauma of victimization,advocacy for victims in the criminal justice system, and the legalrights of victims.

Community Crisis Response: The OVC provides for emergency training and technical assistance to communitiesfollowing large-scale crime victimizations.  Emergency services,often provided by crisis response teams, can be dispatchedwithin 24 to 48 hours of a district's request.

**Products and Publications:**

OVC Training Videos and Materials: The OVC has helpedproduce a number of information resources, includingvideotapes, brochures, and resource packages, including material for children required to testify in Federal or Tribal Court, andmaterial for white collar crime/fraud victims (available early1998).  Videotapes are available from OVC's Resource Center.See a sampling in the following box.

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**For Further Information**:

Laura Federline, Program Specialist

Federal Crime Victims Division

Office for Victims of Crime

U. S. Department of Justice

810 Seventh Street, NW

Washington, DC 20531

202-307-5983; FAX 202-514-6383

Visit OVC's Internet site at

http:// www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/.                   

4/6/98   FS000207

This document was last updated on April 19, 2001