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Victim services

It's Not Just You

Summary

It’s Not Just You tells the story of two youth—Nishan and his family, when caseworkers visit their home; and Lila, when she is placed at her grandmother’s home by caseworkers after an incident.

To illustrate the common occurrences in child welfare cases, both stories showcase Nishan and Lila interacting with caseworkers, advocates, and counselors. Lila’s story also...

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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Brave Maya

Summary

Brave Maya tells the story of what happens to a little girl named Maya after caseworkers visit her home.

To illustrate the common occurrences in child welfare cases, the story follows Maya as she meets with caseworkers, goes to court and meets her advocate, engages with a counselor, and receives support from external family members.

Throughout the...

I Am Malik

Summary

I Am Malik tells the story of what happens to a young boy named Malik after he becomes a witness to and victim of a criminal incident involving his neighbor.

To illustrate common occurrences in criminal cases in which a child is a victim or witness, the story follows Malik as he talks to a counselor at school, goes...

Who's That? In Criminal Court

Summary

Who’s That? In Criminal Court—a complementary piece to There’s More to Me—is a brief guide that explains the different roles of people that youth may interact with or hear about throughout their criminal case and in criminal court. It includes practical tips for preparing for court and information on some rights to which children are entitled.

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About

About

Children are some of the most vulnerable members of our society and are widely held as needing greater care and protection. However, despite this, children are frequently victims of or witnesses to violence, abuse, and other crimes, including domestic violence, community violence, physical assault, sexual assault, commercial sexual exploitation, and child maltreatment.

Resulting from these high rates of exposure to violence, crime, and abuse...

Criminal Court Resources

Criminal Court Resources

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

Character booklets about criminal court roles and tips for coping are available...

Human Trafficking: Practitioner and Parent/Caregiver Guides

Practitioner and Parent/Caregiver Guides

These materials were specifically designed to appeal to children ages 12–18.

The goal of these materials is to provide effective, trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate information and support to children in a way that they can more easily understand, so they can feel informed, supported, and empowered.

Learn more and view the guides below.
 

A group of people sitting in a circle

A Guide for Practitioners

This guide, designed for practitioners...

Maya's Homes

Summary

Maya’s Homes—a companion piece to Brave Maya—tells the story of what happens to Maya after she is removed from her home and placed with another caregiver, her auntie.

To illustrate common occurrences in cases of child removal, the story follows Maya as she has questions about and adjusts to life in her new home; regularly...

Who Is Everybody? In Criminal Court

Summary

Who Is Everybody? In Criminal Court is a brief guide in the I Am Malik series that explains the different roles of people that a child may interact with or hear about throughout their criminal case and in criminal court. It includes practical tips for preparing for court and information on some rights to which children are entitled.

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OVC Acting Director Katherine Darke Schmitt Commemorates Sexual Assault Prevention & Awareness Month

April 2021
Every April, the Nation commemorates Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Month. OVC Acting Director Katherine Darke Schmitt discusses our office's support for projects that serve victims of sexual assault. She also pays tribute to the dedicated service providers working to support victims, including forensic nurse examiner Kim Day, who is retiring after decades in service to victims of sexual violence.

OVC Acting Director Speaks at Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day Event

May 2021
OVC Acting Director Katherine Darke Schmitt gave remarks during a special event, hosted by the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, and Administration for Native Americans, to honor missing and murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives in commemoration of President Biden’s 2021 proclamation on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day.

May 2021 Featured Resources

This featured news content includes information about Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives Awareness Day, Older Americans Month, and National Police Week.