GLOBAL CHALLENGE V: To ensure that the voices of crime victims play a central role in the Nation’s response to violence.

NEW PROGRAMS

Project Name: OVC Oral History Project

Name of Grantee/Recipient: Justice Solutions, Inc.

Problem Statement: Most Americans, unless their lives have been impacted by crime, are unaware of the history and evolution of the victims’ rights field. 2002 marks the 20th anniversary of the President’s Task Force on Victims of Crime and the 30th anniversary of the emergence of the first victim assistance programs. These landmark anniversaries offer an ideal opportunity to educate public policymakers, historians, academicians, and the general public about the history and vision of the early pioneers in the victims’ field.

Funding:
FY 2002: $125,000
FY 2003: TBD

Objective: To document the progress of the victims’ rights field and emerging needs of crime victims and to develop a video archive of interviews with the pioneers and leaders in the field.

Victim Focus: All crime victims

Practitioner Focus: All

Project Description: This project will document the progress made in the victims’ rights field since the founding of the first three victim assistance programs 30 years ago and will assess the anticipated and actual impact of the President’s Task Force on Victims of Crime: Final Report, published 20 years ago. Project staff will develop two special reports to commemorate the anniversaries. In the second phase of the project, a video, supported by separate funding from OVC, will be developed to memorialize the achievements of the victim assistance field and to identify some of its pioneers. Project funds will support interviews of staff of the three maiden assistance programs, members of the Presidential task force, and other recognized victim advocates. They will also support the research for and writing of the two reports and the design of the accompanying video. The products will serve as original source documentation of the founding of the victim assistance movement and will be used as education and outreach tools.

Outcome/Deliverable(s): Two OVC bulletins and video archives

Performance Measure(s): Number of bulletins and videos requested.

Evaluation: Not applicable.

Project Name: National Public Awareness and Education Campaign

Name of Grantee/Recipient: Competitive

Problem Statement: Although OVC conducts a very successful National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) ceremony every year, its reach has not typically extended beyond the criminal justice and victim assistance fields. Most Americans, unless their lives have been impacted by crime, do not know about the Crime Victims Fund and how it supports services and financial compensation for crime victims, are largely unaware of OVC, and do not fully understand the devastating affect of crime on victims and their loved ones. Public policy is shaped by public opinion, and to fulfill its leadership and advocacy role, OVC must work with victims to make their voices resonate throughout the Nation.

Funding:
FY 2002: $500,000
FY 2003: TBD
FY 2004: TBD

Objective: To increase the public awareness of victims’ issues and to honor those who serve victims.

Victim Focus: All crime victims

Practitioner Focus: General public

Project Description: Funding will support the development and implementation of a strategy to heighten public awareness of victims’ issues and the role of OVC and the Crime Victims Fund in serving crime victims throughout the Nation. At a minimum, the project will accomplish the following: (1) continue OVC’s annual tradition of supporting the development of a kit of adaptable resource materials for the victims’ field, such as posters, model speeches, press releases, camera-ready artwork, and plans for commemorative activities for use during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week 2003; (2) the development of awareness activities and supporting resources throughout calendar year 2003; and (3) the publication of an article about OVC, the Crime Victims Fund, and victims’ issues in at least one major national publication during the project period. The grantee will work closely with OVC to use innovative approaches, such as enlisting the volunteer efforts of celebrities whose lives have been affected by crime in Public Service Announcements, profiling some of the extraordinary survivors who have used their pain and grief to fuel their efforts to help other victims, and educating the public about the Crime Victims Fund—the Federal Government’s “best kept secret”—because it makes offenders, not taxpayers, pay for services to crime victims. Grantee will do pre- and post-statistical sampling in four sites across the country to test whether or not awareness has increased.

Outcome/Deliverable(s): NCVRW Resource Kit, marketing campaign, article in national magazine

Performance Measure(s): Increase in public recognition of victims’ issues, OVC, and the Crime Victims Fund.

Evaluation: Internal, by grantee.

Project Name: Victims’ Roundtable Discussions

Name of Grantee/Recipient: OVC TTAC

Problem Statement: In order for OVC to be the Nation’s advocate for crime victims, OVC must know the needs of the field. To learn what the grassroots organizations, faith-based organizations, and others in the field need from OVC to more effectively serve crime victims, OVC plans to go to the field and listen to these needs and concerns.

Funding:
FY 2002: $280,000
FY 2003: TBD
FY 2004: TBD
FY 2005: TBD

Objective: To gather information from the field regarding the unmet needs of crime victims.

Victim Focus: All crime victims

Practitioner Focus: Allied practitioners and volunteers in community-based crime victim assistance agencies and organizations, line-duty law enforcement officers, state VOCA administrators, and OVC staff

Project Description: OVC will select up to six sites throughout the United States and invite victims who have started their own nonprofit, grassroots organization to attend a “Victims’ Roundtable Discussion.” Each Roundtable will be videotaped and a series of videotapes will be developed depicting OVC’s Victims’ Roundtable Discussions. Meeting notes and follow-up comments will be provided to participants as necessary. Once completed, OVC plans to establish a victim working group so that OVC can stay in contact on a first-hand basis with the needs of the field. The videos will be used to train persons serving crime victims.

Outcome/Deliverable(s): At least six Victims’ Roundtable Discussions throughout the United States and a series of videos that capture the main issues and concerns raised. DVDs and other cutting-edge technology will be used where possible.

Performance Measure(s): Number of persons attending roundtables, number of training videos produced, number of requests for training videos, and number of recommendations to OVC.

Evaluation: Not applicable.