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Trauma

Practitioner and Parent/Caregiver Guides

Practitioner and Parent/Caregiver Guides

These materials were specifically designed to appeal to children of different age groups (ages 2–6, ages 7–12, and ages 13–18). However, you can use whichever set of materials seems most appropriate, given the child’s stage of development.

For each age group, there are materials about the criminal justice system and the child welfare system.

The goal of these materials is to provide...

A Guide for Practitioners

A Guide for Practitioners

Child Victims and Witnesses Support Materials includes materials for young children ages 2 to 6 years old, school-age children ages 7 to 12 years old, and youth ages 13 to 18 years old. However, you can use whichever set of materials seems most appropriate for each child, given their stage of development.

For each age group, there are materials about the...

What Is Your Job? In Family or Dependency Court

Summary

What Is Your Job? In Family or Dependency Court is a picture book in the Brave Maya series that explains the different roles of people that a child may interact with or hear about throughout their child welfare cases and in family or dependency court. It includes information on the role of the child in court and...

Who Is Everybody? In Family or Dependency Court

Summary

Who Is Everybody? In Family or Dependency Court is a brief guide in the I Am Isabella series that explains the different roles of people that a child may hear of or interact with throughout their child welfare case and in family or dependency court.

It includes practical tips for preparing for court and information on some...

Family and Dependency Court Resources

Family and Dependency Court Resources

Use these materials with children and youth who may have involvement with family and dependency court as the victim of or witness to a crime. The materials teach children about how the child welfare system works, what their rights are, and how they can cope with the difficult feelings they might have during the process.

Character booklets about court roles...

A Guide for Parents and Caregivers

A Guide for Parents and Caregivers

Child Victims and Witnesses Support Materials includes materials for young children ages 2 to 6 years old, school-age children ages 7 to 12 years old, and youth ages 13 to 18 years old. For each age group, there are materials about the criminal justice system and the child welfare system, so you can choose the materials that will be...

There's More to Me

Summary

There’s More To Me is a graphic novel that tells the stories of five different youth—Alex, Jamal, Jesse, Amy, and Ari. Each character has their own experience as a victim or witness in a criminal case.

To illustrate the common occurrences in criminal cases in which youth are victims or witnesses, the stories showcase the characters interacting with victim...

Brave Oscar

Summary

Brave Oscar tells the story of what happens to a little boy named Oscar after his father is arrested.

To illustrate the common occurrences in criminal cases in which children are victims or witnesses, the story follows Oscar as he meets with a victim advocate and receives counseling, goes to court and testifies (this section is optional and may...

What's Going On? Your Rights and Who You'll Meet

Summary

What’s Going On?—a companion piece to the Sergio’s Story and Zoe’s Story graphic novels—provides information about—

  • the various people a child or youth victim of human trafficking might meet,
  • the rights a victim or witness has in different courts,
  • how trafficking is defined in the United States, and
  • the laws and services that might be helpful.

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Victim Impact: Listen and Learn (Child Sexual Abuse, Story 1)

December 2008

The video in this series (NCJ 223072) features the first-person account of Nia who shares her experience as victim of child sexual abuse and the ripple effect that victimization can have on family members and the community at large. A companion online only training curriculum is also available and includes a two part facilitator manual and a participant workbook.

Alcohol-Facilitated Sexual Assault in Indian Country: An Introduction to the Issues

December 2016

OVC and the Office on Violence Against Women collaborated to produce this four-video series, designed for criminal justice personnel, victim advocates, and allied professionals who work with victims of sexual assault in Indian Country. This video provides an overview of alcohol-facilitated sexual assault in Indian Country, including prevalence, historical trauma, and responses.

A Healing Journey for Alaska Natives: Community Responses with Victims and Offenders

October 2016

This video highlights holistic and community-based approaches to victims and offenders. It also addresses the significant impact historical trauma has had on some Alaska Natives. Offenders often return to their homes and communities; therefore, communities must be actively involved in reentry efforts to ensure the safety of victims and community members.

A Healing Journey for Alaska Natives: Multidisciplinary Responses to Victims of Violence

October 2016

This video illustrates the multidisciplinary approach that brings together a range of professions to ensure timely, comprehensive, and victim-centered responses. Teams must be flexible and responsive to the range of short- and long-term needs of Alaska Native victims, including cultural, emotional, physical, and geographic needs.

A Healing Journey for Alaska Natives: First Responders to Victims of Violence

October 2016

This video focuses on community-driven responses to victims in Alaska villages. Although many challenges remain, well-coordinated responses that integrate tribal- and community-based approaches with other resources are changing outcomes for victims and communities.

Alcohol-Facilitated Sexual Assault in Indian Country: Services and Support for Victims

December 2016

OVC and the Office on Violence Against Women collaborated to produce this four-video series, designed for criminal justice personnel, victim advocates, and allied professionals who work with victims of sexual assault in Indian Country. This public awareness video addresses various types of support for sexual assault victims in Indian Country. 

A Healing Journey for Alaska Natives: Responding to Survivors of Violence

October 2016

This video provides an overview of the multiple challenges victims face when pursuing safety and justice in Alaska, including geographic, climate, and jurisdictional realities. Traditional values, local customs, cultural practices, and trauma-informed care help victims to heal and serve to promote the well-being of communities.

Physical and Mental Health

Discover publications, resources, and other information about physical and mental health related to crime victimization.

The Vicarious Trauma Toolkit

The Vicarious Trauma Toolkit (VTT) was developed on the premise that exposure to the traumatic experiences of other people—known as vicarious trauma—is an inevitable occupational challenge for the fields of victim services, emergency medical services, fire services, law enforcement, and other allied professionals; however, organizations can mitigate the potentially negative effects of trauma exposure by becoming vicarious trauma-informed.