This file is provided for reference purposes only. It was current when produced, but is no longer maintained and may now be outdated. Please select www.ovc.gov to access current information.

Appendix A

1995 Mission Statement & OVC Goals

THE MISSION OF THE OFFICE FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME IS TO ENHANCE THE NATION'S CAPACITY TO ASSIST CRIME VICTIMS AND PROVIDE LEADERSHIP IN CHANGING ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES TO PROMOTE JUSTICE AND HEALING FOR ALL VICTIMS OF CRIME.

GOAL 1. Develop a National Crime Victims Agenda -- an action plan for the future -- working with constituency groups

GOAL 2. Develop and disseminate promising practices for everyone who provides services for crime victims

GOAL 3. Expand the National Victim Assistance Academy and other training efforts to help professionalize the field and improve the quality of services

GOAL 4. Provide training for and collaborate with Indian nations and federal agencies, including the FBI, the Department of Defense, U.S. Attorneys' offices, and Victim-Witness Coordinators to enhance services for crime victims

GOAL 5. Advocate for increased rights for victims, including within juvenile justice systems

GOAL 6. Provide direct services, including referrals and information, to crime victims to respond to their needs

GOAL 7. Enhance services to tribal and local communities by providing crisis response teams, expert trainers, and mentoring programs

GOAL 8. Secure a stable funding base and expand collaboration with other agencies and the private sector

GOAL 9. Improve the grant process, ensure constituency input, and increase training opportunities for VOCA state administrators and local programs

GOAL 10. Provide OVC staff with opportunities for job enrichment and development

• Improve direct services to federal crime victims

• Develop demonstration sites that increase and enhance services for crime victims
• Sponsor the First National Symposium for all federal Victim-Witness Coordinators



• Assist EOUSA to develop a federal disaster response protocol for assisting crime victims



• Publish Federal Emergency Assistance Fund Guidelines



• Establish training programs for all FBI Victim-Witness Coordinators





• Improve federal compliance with mandated victim and witness rights and services

• Convert the Attorney General Guidelines for Victim and Witness Assistance into a working document



• Revise the Best Efforts Report questionnaire



• Promote automation to track services to crime victims in U.S. Attorneys offices



• Encourage on-site monitoring of federal programs





• Improve response to crime in Indian Country



• Promote systemic change in handling child sexual and physical abuse cases



• Sponsor the Indian Nations Conference



• Provide training for tribal judges



• Coordinate with other DOJ components and constituents



• Sponsor cross-cultural skills training



• Provide training to help replicate promising practices



• Provide training regarding assistance for white collar crime and bank robbery victims



• Promote the use of technology to improve training and services

• Award annual VOCA victim compensation and assistance grants during the first quarter of the fiscal year



• Develop a comprehensive national directory that profiles victim rights and services in each state



• Support amendments to strengthen VOCA, including increasing the grant obligation period



• Increase training opportunities for state VOCA administrators by supporting mentoring programs, regional trainings, and national conferences



• Sponsor working groups and other opportunities for VOCA administrators and local victim service representatives to provide input on policy development



• Expand the capacity of states and communities to collect data, identify emerging trends, and assess victim needs



• Encourage increased dialogue and coordination between VOCA state administrators, U.S. Attorneys Victim-Witness Coordinators, victims organizations, law enforcement personnel, and other service providers



• Support training and technical assistance opportunities for local victim service agencies

• Promote partnerships at all levels of government by supporting the provision of comprehensive services in one location and a multidisciplinary approach as demonstrated by Children's Advocacy Centers, Victim Services Centers, and TRIAD programs



• Improve professional education in colleges and universities, as well as in religious training programs, by developing curricula on crime victims issues for allied professionals



• Identify emerging issues, support dialogue among practitioners and policy makers, and convene symposia on topics such as the use of technology to benefit victims, restorative justice, and workplace violence



• Network with national and international criminal justice and victim assistance organizations, as well as others, to promote institutional changes on behalf of crime victims, such as greater sensitivity within the media and adoption of model victim-related legislation



• Develop training, technical assistance, and demonstration projects for allied professionals, including a Trainers Bureau that provides expert trainers and consultants on request; training of trainers seminars; and mentoring programs that promote interagency cooperation



• Promote public awareness and disseminate information to assist victims of crime and those who serve them, including videos on victims issues; materials regarding cultural diversity and special needs of physically and/or mentally challenged victims; and products about victim healing through community service



• Coordinate national events, including the annual Presidential award ceremony for National Crime Victims Rights Week

The information on this page is archived and provided for reference purposes only.