News & Features
OVC News & Program Updates
First released in April 2011, OVC News & Program Updates is a valuable tool for sharing information about OVC initiatives, events, and other items of special interest. It incorporates articles and information from grantees, service professionals, and others who share the mission of promoting justice and healing for victims. Share the newsletter with your colleagues and join OVC in an ongoing, lively, informative discussion about victim services. Send suggestions for future issues to OVC Fellow Keely McCarthy.
To receive OVC News & Program Updates, register with NCJRS ( the National Criminal Justice Reference Service) and select "Victims" as a topic of interest. Once you have registered with NCJRS, you will also receive important information from OVC and other OJP agencies related to—
- new funding opportunities,
- recently released publications,
- upcoming trainings and conferences,
- program initiatives,
- and much more!
Visit the NCJRS Web site for more information about available resources and services.
Current Issue
OVC News & Program Updates (November 2012) (PDF 525 kb)
This issue focuses on closing gaps in victim services and includes profiles that underscore how a victim’s steps toward recovery may take unexpected turns, with inspiring results. Articles in this edition highlight—
- Healing Through Art workshops for individuals and families recovering from the traumatic physical, financial, emotional, and spiritual effects of crime.
- The final rule to prevent, detect, and respond to sexual abuse in confinement facilities in accordance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003.
- An empowering interview with Julia Dunkins who, after suffering the loss of both her husband and son to homicide, became a committed activist and advocate for other survivors.
- Help for young victims healing from trauma and violence.
- Advances made in the victims field through statistics, research, and evaluation.
- Resources available for family members of homicide victims.
- OVC’s tribute to the legacy of Irina Romashkan.
Past Issues
OVC News & Program Updates (June 2012) (PDF 627 kb)
This edition details responses to underserved victims of crime. Articles in this issue highlight—
- Improved responses for male crime victims.
- Getting to know Mary Lou Leary, Acting Assistant Attorney General.
- An empowering account of a hate crime from an advocate for the Native LGBT/Two-Spirit community.
- Training available for building military-civilian community partnerships to better serve military sexual assault victims.
- Americans living overseas who experience domestic violence.
- Facts about sexual assault in the military and efforts to combat it.
OVC News & Program Updates (February 2012) (PDF 813 kb)
This edition offers a wealth of information about elder abuse and exploitation, complex crimes that can be extremely difficult to recognize and resolve. Articles in this issue highlight—
- Elder financial exploitation and identity theft, with a personal account from entertainer Mickey Rooney;
- Resources addressing victims of late-life domestic violence and elder abuse;
- The National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life;
- Practical uses of research for working with older victims;
- Crimesolutions.gov, a credible resource for informing practitioners and policymakers about what works in justice-related programs and practices, including crime victim services;
- Elder victimization facts available from the recently released 2012 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Resource Guide.
OVC News & Program Updates (November 2011) (PDF 687 kb)
This edition offers information about one of our most vulnerable victim populations: America’s children. Articles in this issue highlight—
- The impact of child identity theft.
- OVC’s partnership with a school in Indian Country to address victimization among students.
- A community-based approach to providing services to drug endangered children.
- Research conducted on children’s exposure to violence.
- The goals of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Defending Childhood initiative.
- Human trafficking and the commercial sexual exploitation of children.
OVC News & Program Updates (September 2011) (PDF 513 kb)
This issue addresses responding to victims of sexual violence and highlights—
- The Sixth National Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) Training Conference.
- The Angel Band Project, a band formed to promote hope and healing through music for those affected by sexual violence.
- Visiting fellows supporting OVC in its mission.
- The presentation of the Menominee Tribal Seal to OVC Acting Director Joye Frost.
- New Americans with Disabilities Act rules in effect.
OVC News & Program Updates (July 2011) (PDF 840 kb)
This issue highlights—
- Assistance provided by OVC to the community of Binghamton, New York.
- A grant awarded to Pima County, Arizona, to help victims of a mass shooting in 2011.
- FBI Victim Specialists’ response to mass casualties.
- International terrorism and financial resources available for victims.
- The 2011 National Crime Victims’ Service Award recipients.
- Funding awarded to remember 9/11 survivors and the families of victims.
OVC News & Program Updates (April 2011) (PDF 1.9 mb)
This issue highlights—
- Victims’ voices.
- Outreach to underserved victims.
- National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
- The Vision 21: Transforming Victim Services Initiative.
- The Tribal Victim Assistance in Alaska Fellowship.
- The 12th National Indian Nations Conference.
