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Victim Notification

  • Publications (15)
  • Resources (4)
  • Forum Discussions (3)
  • FAQs (6)
  • Funding (0)
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Victim notification is a victim's right in most states and at the federal level. State laws vary, but most states give victims or their families the right to be notified of important, scheduled criminal proceedings and the outcomes of those proceedings. These commonly include the arrest, arraignment, sentencing, release, parole, or escape of a defendant; hearing dates and times; plea negotiations; and the dismissal of charges. The right to notification is supported in most states by Victim Information and Notification Everyday.

 

In federal cases, notification of case events begins during the investigative stage and continues throughout the prosecution and corrections stages of a case. The right to notification for federal crime victims is supported through the Victim Notification System, a shared Web-based application involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the United States Postal Inspection Service; United States Attorneys’ Offices; the Department of Justice, Criminal Division; and the Federal Bureau of Prisons.  

 

The following resources provide information on victim notification.

OVC and OVC-Sponsored Publications

Partners in Justice - Bureau of Indian Affairs Victim Specialists (December 2016) OVC, OVC Videos, 2 pages, NCJ 250461.
This video presents an overview of the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Victim Specialist Program. The video, prepared by OVC and BIA, identifies some of the program’s successes and challenges providing services to victims of crime in Indian Country.
Abstract | HTML
Part Of the OVC Videos Series
 
Notifying Sexual Assault Victims After Testing Evidence (January 2016) OVC, Summary, 20 pages, NCJ 249153.
Using a victim-centered approach for notifying victims about the status of their sexual assault cases may help minimize the trauma a victim experiences when receiving this type of information, especially in older cases. This brochure explores the victim-centered approach that teams in Houston and Detroit used to develop victim notification protocols about the results of sexual assault kit (SAK) testing.
Abstract
 
Helping Victims of Mass Violence and Terrorism: Planning, Response, Recovery, and Resources (August 2015) OVC, NCJ 248647.
This toolkit is designed to help communities prepare for and respond to victims of mass violence and terrorism in the most timely, effective, and compassionate manner possible. OVC created this product in coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Office for Victim Assistance and DOJ's Office of Justice for Victims of Overseas Terrorism.
Abstract | HTML
 
The Beat: Wrongful Convictions (September 2014) OVC-Sponsored, 2 pages, NCJ 248555.
In this podcast, Jennifer Thompson, the crime victim from the Ronald Cotton case in North Carolina, who misidentified the perpetrator of her rape; and Meg Morrow, former OVC attorney advisor, discuss the impacts of wrongful convictions on survivors, victims of crime, and law enforcement.
Abstract | TEXT (Transcript) | Audio (mp3)
 
Vision 21: Transforming Victim Services Final Report (May 2013) OVC, Report, 60 pages, NCJ 239957.
The Vision 21: Transforming Victim Services initiative was launched by OVC in fall 2010 to expand the vision and impact of the crime victim assistance field. This Final Report provides a set of findings and broad recommendations, informed by stakeholder forums and literature reviews, that form a framework for strategic, transformative change. The Final Report outlines ways the field can overcome the obstacles it faces and change how it meets victims' needs and addresses those who perpetrate crime.
Abstract | PDF (Full Report) | PDF (Summary & Recommendations) | PDF (At a Glance Fact Sheet)
 

OJP Publications

Notifying Sexual Assault Victims After Testing Evidence (January 2016) NIJ, Summary, 20 pages, NCJ 249153.
Using a victim-centered approach for notifying victims about the status of their sexual assault cases may help minimize the trauma a victim experiences when receiving this type of information, especially in older cases. This brochure explores the victim-centered approach that teams in Houston and Detroit used to develop victim notification protocols about the results of sexual assault kit (SAK) testing.
Abstract
 
Detroit Sexual Assault Kit (SAK) Action Research Project (ARP), Final Report (February 2015) NIJ-Sponsored, Grant, 551 pages, NCJ 248680.
This report documents the Detroit Sexual Assault Action-Research Project, in which a multidisciplinary team looked at the issue of a large number of sexual assault kits (SAKs) that had not been sent to a crime lab for DNA-testing. The team identified the underlying factors that contributed to the issue; developed and evaluated a plan for testing the SAKs; and created and evaluated protocols for notifying victims of the results of the testing. The report also offers practitioner-friendly resources, including how to create victim-notification protocols.
Abstract | PDF
 
Untested Evidence in Sexual Assault Cases (February 2013) NIJ-Sponsored, Report, 6 pages, NCJ 241356.
In this article from the Sexual Assault Report™, NIJ staff member Nancy Ritter explores: whether every sexual assault kit (SAK) should be tested every kit - even ones that are 25 years old; should priority be given to certain kits, and if so, how do we decide; and how to handle cases in which the alleged perpetrator is already known. The article also explains where the weak spots are in collecting, storing, and testing kits; why the police might not send sexual assault kits to be tested; and what early evidence is showing about complex issues such as victim notification.
Abstract | PDF
 

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Victim notification is a victim's right in most states and at the federal level. State laws vary, but most states give victims or their families the right to be notified of important, scheduled criminal proceedings and the outcomes of those proceedings. These commonly include the arrest, arraignment, sentencing, release, parole, or escape of a defendant; hearing dates and times; plea negotiations; and the dismissal of charges. The right to notification is supported in most states by Victim Information and Notification Everyday.

 

In federal cases, notification of case events begins during the investigative stage and continues throughout the prosecution and corrections stages of a case. The right to notification for federal crime victims is supported through the Victim Notification System, a shared Web-based application involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the United States Postal Inspection Service; United States Attorneys’ Offices; the Department of Justice, Criminal Division; and the Federal Bureau of Prisons.  

 

The following resources provide information on victim notification.


Victim notification is a victim's right in most states and at the federal level. State laws vary, but most states give victims or their families the right to be notified of important, scheduled criminal proceedings and the outcomes of those proceedings. These commonly include the arrest, arraignment, sentencing, release, parole, or escape of a defendant; hearing dates and times; plea negotiations; and the dismissal of charges. The right to notification is supported in most states by Victim Information and Notification Everyday.

 

In federal cases, notification of case events begins during the investigative stage and continues throughout the prosecution and corrections stages of a case. The right to notification for federal crime victims is supported through the Victim Notification System, a shared Web-based application involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the United States Postal Inspection Service; United States Attorneys’ Offices; the Department of Justice, Criminal Division; and the Federal Bureau of Prisons.  

 

The following resources provide information on victim notification.


Each month the Nation's experts answer your questions about best practices in victim services. Below are upcoming and most recent session discussions in this topic:

On Mar 25 2015 at 2:00PM, Katie Monroe, Senior Advocate for National Partnerships at the Innocence Project, and Karin Ho, brings over 30 years combined experience as a victim advocate in the sexual assault, domestic violence and postconviction corrections field, hosted a discussion on Postconviction Exonerations and Victim Assistance

On Sep 10 2014 at 2:00PM, Ilse Knecht, Deputy Director of Public Policy for NCVC and Project Manager for NCVC’s multiyear DNA education initiative, and Michele Mallin, rape survivor and public speaker, hosted a discussion on Working With Victims in Cold Hit DNA Cases

On Jan 26 2011 at 2:00PM, Travis Fritsch, Program Manager for the Mary Byron Project, and Trudy Gregorie, Senior Director of Justice Solutions, and Karin Ho, Administrator of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction's Office of Victim Services, hosted a discussion on Assisting Stalking Victims Using Victim Notification

Victim notification is a victim's right in most states and at the federal level. State laws vary, but most states give victims or their families the right to be notified of important, scheduled criminal proceedings and the outcomes of those proceedings. These commonly include the arrest, arraignment, sentencing, release, parole, or escape of a defendant; hearing dates and times; plea negotiations; and the dismissal of charges. The right to notification is supported in most states by Victim Information and Notification Everyday.

 

In federal cases, notification of case events begins during the investigative stage and continues throughout the prosecution and corrections stages of a case. The right to notification for federal crime victims is supported through the Victim Notification System, a shared Web-based application involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the United States Postal Inspection Service; United States Attorneys’ Offices; the Department of Justice, Criminal Division; and the Federal Bureau of Prisons.  

 

The following resources provide information on victim notification.


How do I obtain my Victim Identification Number (VIN) and a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to access the Department of Justice's Victim Notification System (VNS)?
If you have not received your Victim Identification Number (VIN) and/or Personal Identification Numb... Read More

What is the Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE) system?
The Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE) system allows crime victims across the count... Read More

Where can I find information on the Federal victim notification system?
Federal victim notification information is available on the Department of Justice's Victim Notificat... Read More

How can I order OVC publications and products?
Many OVC publications and products are available in hardcopy and can be ordered from the National Cr... Read More

Whom do I contact if I am experiencing problems with a State Victim Notification Everyday (VINE) system?
If you are experiencing problems with a State Victim Notification Everyday (VINE) system, please con... Read More

More FAQs

Victim notification is a victim's right in most states and at the federal level. State laws vary, but most states give victims or their families the right to be notified of important, scheduled criminal proceedings and the outcomes of those proceedings. These commonly include the arrest, arraignment, sentencing, release, parole, or escape of a defendant; hearing dates and times; plea negotiations; and the dismissal of charges. The right to notification is supported in most states by Victim Information and Notification Everyday.

 

In federal cases, notification of case events begins during the investigative stage and continues throughout the prosecution and corrections stages of a case. The right to notification for federal crime victims is supported through the Victim Notification System, a shared Web-based application involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the United States Postal Inspection Service; United States Attorneys’ Offices; the Department of Justice, Criminal Division; and the Federal Bureau of Prisons.  

 

The following resources provide information on victim notification.
No funding records found relevant to this topic.

More Funding Opportunities

Victim notification is a victim's right in most states and at the federal level. State laws vary, but most states give victims or their families the right to be notified of important, scheduled criminal proceedings and the outcomes of those proceedings. These commonly include the arrest, arraignment, sentencing, release, parole, or escape of a defendant; hearing dates and times; plea negotiations; and the dismissal of charges. The right to notification is supported in most states by Victim Information and Notification Everyday.

 

In federal cases, notification of case events begins during the investigative stage and continues throughout the prosecution and corrections stages of a case. The right to notification for federal crime victims is supported through the Victim Notification System, a shared Web-based application involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the United States Postal Inspection Service; United States Attorneys’ Offices; the Department of Justice, Criminal Division; and the Federal Bureau of Prisons.  

 

The following resources provide information on victim notification.


Publications

OVC and OVC-Sponsored Publications

Partners in Justice - Bureau of Indian Affairs Victim Specialists (December 2016) OVC, OVC Videos, 2 pages, NCJ 250461. This video presents an overview of the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Victim Specialist Program. The video, prepared by OVC and BIA, identifies some of the program’s successes and challenges providing services to victims of crime in Indian Country.
Abstract | HTML
Part Of the OVC Videos Series
 
Notifying Sexual Assault Victims After Testing Evidence (January 2016) OVC, Summary, 20 pages, NCJ 249153. Using a victim-centered approach for notifying victims about the status of their sexual assault cases may help minimize the trauma a victim experiences when receiving this type of information, especially in older cases. This brochure explores the victim-centered approach that teams in Houston and Detroit used to develop victim notification protocols about the results of sexual assault kit (SAK) testing.
Abstract
 
Helping Victims of Mass Violence and Terrorism: Planning, Response, Recovery, and Resources (August 2015) OVC, NCJ 248647. This toolkit is designed to help communities prepare for and respond to victims of mass violence and terrorism in the most timely, effective, and compassionate manner possible. OVC created this product in coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Office for Victim Assistance and DOJ's Office of Justice for Victims of Overseas Terrorism.
Abstract | HTML
 
The Beat: Wrongful Convictions (September 2014) OVC-Sponsored, 2 pages, NCJ 248555. In this podcast, Jennifer Thompson, the crime victim from the Ronald Cotton case in North Carolina, who misidentified the perpetrator of her rape; and Meg Morrow, former OVC attorney advisor, discuss the impacts of wrongful convictions on survivors, victims of crime, and law enforcement.
Abstract | TEXT (Transcript) | Audio (mp3)
 
Vision 21: Transforming Victim Services Final Report (May 2013) OVC, Report, 60 pages, NCJ 239957. The Vision 21: Transforming Victim Services initiative was launched by OVC in fall 2010 to expand the vision and impact of the crime victim assistance field. This Final Report provides a set of findings and broad recommendations, informed by stakeholder forums and literature reviews, that form a framework for strategic, transformative change. The Final Report outlines ways the field can overcome the obstacles it faces and change how it meets victims' needs and addresses those who perpetrate crime.
Abstract | PDF (Full Report) | PDF (Summary & Recommendations) | PDF (At a Glance Fact Sheet)
 

OJP Publications

Notifying Sexual Assault Victims After Testing Evidence (January 2016) NIJ, Summary, 20 pages, NCJ 249153. Using a victim-centered approach for notifying victims about the status of their sexual assault cases may help minimize the trauma a victim experiences when receiving this type of information, especially in older cases. This brochure explores the victim-centered approach that teams in Houston and Detroit used to develop victim notification protocols about the results of sexual assault kit (SAK) testing.
Abstract
 
Detroit Sexual Assault Kit (SAK) Action Research Project (ARP), Final Report (February 2015) NIJ-Sponsored, Grant, 551 pages, NCJ 248680. This report documents the Detroit Sexual Assault Action-Research Project, in which a multidisciplinary team looked at the issue of a large number of sexual assault kits (SAKs) that had not been sent to a crime lab for DNA-testing. The team identified the underlying factors that contributed to the issue; developed and evaluated a plan for testing the SAKs; and created and evaluated protocols for notifying victims of the results of the testing. The report also offers practitioner-friendly resources, including how to create victim-notification protocols.
Abstract | PDF
 
Untested Evidence in Sexual Assault Cases (February 2013) NIJ-Sponsored, Report, 6 pages, NCJ 241356. In this article from the Sexual Assault Report™, NIJ staff member Nancy Ritter explores: whether every sexual assault kit (SAK) should be tested every kit - even ones that are 25 years old; should priority be given to certain kits, and if so, how do we decide; and how to handle cases in which the alleged perpetrator is already known. The article also explains where the weak spots are in collecting, storing, and testing kits; why the police might not send sexual assault kits to be tested; and what early evidence is showing about complex issues such as victim notification.
Abstract | PDF
 

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Related Resources

Federal Resources

National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS)
Sponsored by the Office of Justice Programs, NCJRS offers information on victimology and victim assistance, criminal justice, juvenile justice, information to support research, policy, and program development worldwide. NCJRS supplies the victim services field with resources, publications, and program information. The NCJRS library collection includes more than 30,000 resources relevant to the field.
 
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ): Victim Notification System (VNS)
VNS is a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the United States Attorneys' offices, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Launched in 2001 as a pilot program with funding support from OVC, it became fully operational in 2002 under the development and oversight of the Executive Office for United States Attorneys. This free, computer-based system provides important information to victims of federal crimes. In many cases crime victims will receive letters generated through VNS containing information about the events pertaining to the criminal case and/or any defendants in the case.
 
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): Victim Notification Program
The ICE Victim Notification Program provides information to eligible victims and witnesses who register to be notified of a criminal alien's release related activities. Registered victims and witnesses will be advised when the criminal alien is released from custody or removed (also known as deportation).
 

Non-Governmental Resources

VINELink
VINELink is the online version of VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday), the National Victim Notification Network that allows crime victims to obtain timely and reliable information about criminal cases and the custody status of offenders 24 hours a day.
 

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Web Forum Discussions

Each month the Nation's experts answer your questions about best practices in victim services. Below are upcoming and most recent session discussions in this topic:

On Mar 25 2015 at 2:00PM, Katie Monroe, Senior Advocate for National Partnerships at the Innocence Project, and Karin Ho, brings over 30 years combined experience as a victim advocate in the sexual assault, domestic violence and postconviction corrections field, hosted a discussion on Postconviction Exonerations and Victim Assistance

On Sep 10 2014 at 2:00PM, Ilse Knecht, Deputy Director of Public Policy for NCVC and Project Manager for NCVC’s multiyear DNA education initiative, and Michele Mallin, rape survivor and public speaker, hosted a discussion on Working With Victims in Cold Hit DNA Cases

On Jan 26 2011 at 2:00PM, Travis Fritsch, Program Manager for the Mary Byron Project, and Trudy Gregorie, Senior Director of Justice Solutions, and Karin Ho, Administrator of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction's Office of Victim Services, hosted a discussion on Assisting Stalking Victims Using Victim Notification


FAQs

How do I obtain my Victim Identification Number (VIN) and a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to access the Department of Justice's Victim Notification System (VNS)?
If you have not received your Victim Identification Number (VIN) and/or Personal Identification Numb... Read More

What is the Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE) system?
The Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE) system allows crime victims across the count... Read More

Where can I find information on the Federal victim notification system?
Federal victim notification information is available on the Department of Justice's Victim Notificat... Read More

How can I order OVC publications and products?
Many OVC publications and products are available in hardcopy and can be ordered from the National Cr... Read More

Whom do I contact if I am experiencing problems with a State Victim Notification Everyday (VINE) system?
If you are experiencing problems with a State Victim Notification Everyday (VINE) system, please con... Read More

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Funding

No funding records found relevant to this topic.

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Online Directory of Crime Victims Services.

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The Office for Victims of Crime is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.

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