HumanTrafficking.org | United States of America Government Agency: Department of Justice Office of Victims of Crime (OVC)

A web resource for combating human trafficking

United States of America

Department of Justice Office of Victims of Crime (OVC)

Address

Office for Victims of Crime Resource Center
National Criminal Justice Reference Service
P.O. Box 6000
Rockville, MD 20849-6000
U.S.A.

Contact Information

Tel: 1-800-851-3420; (TTY 1-877-712-9279)

Website

http://www.ovc.gov/help/tip.htm

Email

askovc@ncjrs.org

Activities

In 2000, Congress enacted the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), which authorized the provision of a number of benefits and services available to victims of trafficking. Under this legislation, Department of Justice, Office of Victims of Crime (OVC) received government funds to support the development or enhancement of victim service programs for alien victims trafficked into or within the United States who require emergency services.

OVC services are intended to assist victims between the period of time they are encountered by law enforcement, and when they are "certified" to receive benefits through the Department of Health and Human Services. This period of time is referred to as "pre-certification." Funding is awarded by OVC to organizations which can provide services in this “pre-certification” stage. These services include shelter, medical care, crisis counseling, legal assistance, and advocacy.