FAQs

• What is a Web forum?
• What is a Guest Host session?
• What time are the Guest Host sessions?
• Do I have to register to use the OVC Web Forum?
• Do I have to register to participate in Guest Host sessions?
• Can I post anonymously?
• Are there any rules for posting comments?
• Do I have to supply my e-mail address to post?
• Why was my post rejected?
• How can I report an inappropriate post?
• Can I access discussions at any time?
• Where can I find past Guest Host sessions?
• How do I use the search box?
• How do I print a discussion?
• Is audio available for discussions and Guest Host sessions?
• What if I am a victim of crime who needs assistance?

What is a Web forum?
A Web forum is an online discussion among parties interested in a specific topic. For further explanation, please see the What Is a Web Forum? section of the OVC forum site.

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What is a Guest Host session?
OVC introduced the Guest Host Series in October 2004 to provide victim service providers and allied professionals with access to national experts on topics of interest to the victim services community. You can submit questions prior to a session and return during the scheduled Guest Host session for the answers and to participate in the discussion. View the How To Participate section to learn more about taking part in a Guest Host session.

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What time are the Guest Host sessions?
Guest Host sessions are usually from 2 to 3 p.m. (eastern time).

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Do I have to register to use the OVC Web Forum?
No. Topics on this forum are open to comment by anyone at any time. Registration is not required.

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Do I have to register to participate in Guest Host sessions?
No. Guest Host sessions are conducted in the same fashion as any other discussion. Registration is not required.

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Can I post anonymously?
Yes. The goal of this Web forum is to provide an online community in which victim service providers can openly share with each other "what works" in the field. However, OVC respects the desire of some forum participants to remain anonymous.

If you want to remain anonymous, you may take one or more of the following steps:

• Adopt a screen name. Instead of using your real name when you post, adopt a pseudonym like "Help4U" or "Web Assistant." You are not required to use the same screen name for each post, but doing so will help you build online relationships with other participants.
• Do not include your e-mail address, street address, phone number, or URL in posts. Remember that if these items are part of your message, the information is available to all forum participants.
• Exercise discretion when giving case-related examples. When describing your successes, be careful to protect the privacy of the individuals involved. A specific case—and therefore your agency—may become identifiable depending on the details you provide.

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Are there any rules for posting comments?
Yes. Please read about the forum’s guiding principles and its rules for posting comments.

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Do I have to supply my e-mail address to post?
No. You do not have to fill in the "E-mail" field on the Start a New Discussion or Reply to a Discussion form to participate. If you do provide your e-mail address here, it will not appear onscreen. Only the Web Forum moderator will have access to it and will use it to notify you when your post is accepted or rejected and to let you know when someone responds to your post. Do not post your e-mail address in the "Message" field unless you want to receive private messages from other Web Forum users.

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Why was my post rejected?
If you supplied your e-mail address in the "E-mail" field, you will receive a notice when your post is accepted or rejected. A moderator screens all messages before they are uploaded, and OVC reserves the right to reject any message or part of a message that it deems inappropriate for the forum’s goals. This message board is a tool for constructive discussion on victim issues, promising practices, and best practices. See the rules for specific screening criteria.

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How can I report an inappropriate post?
If you find a post objectionable or have a problem using the forum, contact the forum moderator.

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Can I access discussions at any time?
Yes. All previous discussions are available online, 24 hours a day.

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Where can I find past Guest Host sessions?
To retrieve a Guest Host session on a given topic, visit the calendar or Guest Host biographies page. Browse through the list of sessions and click the topic link to view discussions. To retrieve past sessions not featured in the current topic list, use the keyword field of the search box.

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How do I use the search box?
To find a discussion by topic, select the subject from the "Topics" menu of the search box. You may also search by keyword or phrase using the "Keyword" field. To narrow your search, place dates in the "Date Posted" fields. After entering your criteria, click on the "Search" button. All relevant discussions will appear on the results page.

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How do I print a discussion?
To print a discussion you are viewing, click on your browser’s print button or choose "File > Print" from your browser’s toolbar.

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Is audio available for discussions and Guest Host sessions?
No, audio is not available. All discussions occur in onscreen print only.

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What if I am a victim of crime who needs assistance?
Please contact AskOVC at http://ovc.ncjrs.gov/askovc.

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