Crime Victims Advocacy

The Office of Crime Victims Advocacy (OCVA) serves as a voice within government for the needs of crime victims in Washington. We envision a future where all people have access to support, healing, and the ability to reach their full potential; where all people experience autonomy, dignity, freedom of identity and expression, and safety in their homes and communities.

Established in 1990, OCVA serves the state by:

advocating on behalf of victims obtaining needed services and resources
administering grant funds for community programs working with crime victims
assisting communities in planning and implementing services for crime victims
advising local and state government agencies of practices, policies, and priorities that impact crime victims

Community resources

Crime Victim Resource Directory

The Crime Victim Resource Directory provides information on the victim services currently funded by the Office of Crime Victim Advocacy. Please use this directory to find relevant, local victim services.

Resources for Victims of Human Trafficking

Support and assistance are available to individuals who have experienced labor and/or sex trafficking.

Safety and Access for Immigrant Victims Program

Commerce’s Safety and Access for Immigrant Victims initiative aims to promote and provide consistent, equal protections to immigrants who are victims of a crime.

Grantee resources

Crime Victims Grants and Funding

Commerce’s Office of Crime Victims Advocacy provides direct and competitive grants to organizations across Washington state providing services to survivors and victims of crime.

InfoNet

The Washington InfoNet is a web-based data collection system for victim service providers to report on the clients they serve and the myriad services they […]

Sexual Assault Response Best Practices

The Office of Crime Victims Advocacy created two documents to assist communities with accessing nurses who serve sexual assault victims.

Clearinghouse on Human Trafficking

The Washington State Clearinghouse on Human Trafficking provides information on statewide efforts to combat trafficking and resources for victims and survivors. Its primary goal is to share and coordinate statewide efforts to combat human trafficking.

Please note, OCVA funding opportunities are not available to individual victims and survivors. If you need a referral to a local program, please see our Crime Victims Resource Directory.

Resources

Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) of 1984 established the Crime Victims Fund. Each state receives VOCA funds yearly to support individuals affected by crime, hurt and harm. Federal criminal fines, penalties, and forfeited bail bonds finance the fund.

OCVA funds programs, tribes and tribal organizations throughout Washington that provide support and assistance to individuals who have been hurt, harmed or identify as victims or survivors of crime.

OCVA Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) fact sheet

Completing a VOCA subgrant award report

How to complete VOCA subgrant award report (Vimeo)

Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) State Plan

OCVA serves as the administrator of federal VOCA Assistance funds. Early in 2015, a congressional change resulted in a significant increase in Washington’s award for pass-through funding.

In 2015, a statewide planning process was used to guide the development of the 2015-2023 VOCA State Plan and formulate recommendations for using increased funding. The plan is reviewed and revised every four years.

2024 VOCA State Plan (PDF)