MOVA/Root Cause Project Summary
June 2025
MOVA recently partnered with Root Cause, a nonprofit consulting organization, to guide a stakeholder engagement effort across the state. This partnership supported efforts to better understand the experiences of victim service providers and survivors in Massachusetts.
The Final Project Summary can be found here.
Policy Agenda Update
July 2024
*Content Warning: Mentions of Gun Violence*
MOVA is delighted to share that An Act modernizing firearm laws has passed in both the Massachusetts House of Representatives and the Massachusetts State Senate and was signed into law by Governor Healey on July 25th, 2024.
Amongst other provisions, An Act modernizing firearm laws (H.4885) will:
- Add a firearms removal provision to 258E (harassment prevention orders);
- Expand the collection and reporting of data involving crimes, usage, and licensing of firearms, including through a public dashboard, enabling service organizations and state agencies, to deliver better-informed services to survivors of gun violence;
- Establish a legislative commission to analyze the collection, management, and distribution of anonymized firearm data; and
- Establish a legislative commission to study and recommend improvements to the state’s funding structure for violence prevention services, aiming to reduce the impact of gun violence in minority communities.
An Act modernizing firearm laws (H.4885) includes language and concepts from both An Act improving protections for sexual assault survivors (H.1702/S.1019) and An Act relative to gun crime data analysis and reporting (H.2307 and S.1492), which MOVA’s Victim and Witness Assistance Board endorsed this session and were agency priorities.
Thank you to all of the partner agencies, survivors, and allies whose advocacy surrounding this legislation has helped to propel its passage. The success of this legislation could not have been achieved without your immense dedication to this initiative.
Should you have any questions surrounding this legislation or email, please do not hesitate to reach out to MOVA’s Policy and Legislative Affairs Specialists, Georgia Aguilar and Isabelle Alera at: georgia.m.aguilar@mass.gov and isabelle.alera@mass.gov
The Impact of Commonwealth v. Mattis on Surviving Families of Homicide Victims
"The Impact of Mattis on Surviving Families of Homicide Victims” published in the spring edition of the Boston Bar Journal highlights the impact of the Supreme Judicial Court’s recent decision in Commonwealth v. Mattis and calls for the inclusion of survivor voices in any future policy-making relative to criminal legal reform initiatives.
MOVA is an independent state agency advancing victim rights by ensuring all victims and survivors of crime across the Commonwealth are supported and empowered. We know that there are a number of pending policy proposals that focus on emerging adults in the legal system, including “Raise the Age” legislation. Our priority is ensuring that the diverse perspectives of survivors of crime are included in any relevant policy discussions and balance is sought between rehabilitation efforts and fulfillment of comprehensive rights afforded under the Victim Bill of Rights, M.G.L. Chapter 258B, for survivors throughout the justice process.
In addition, MOVA administers funding to over 100 victim service agencies that provide services to victims of crime, including homicide bereavement services. Information on our funded programs can be found on AskMOVA, a free online resource. AskMOVA allows victims, survivors, and service providers to find these free services in an area that is convenient, accessible, and safe for the victim or survivor.
Governor Healey Includes $20M Investment for VOCA Bridge in Supplemental Funding Bill
March 22, 2023
Governor Healey introduced a supplemental funding bill to the Legislature that includes an additional $20M investment that would fully fund the VOCA Bridge.
Funding in H.3545 will build upon prior investments passed by the Massachusetts Legislature to support programming through fiscal year 2025 (FY25). The state's commitment thus far has provided a critical lifeline for victims of crime to access services and address increasing demands. Passage of H.3545 will allow MOVA to better support survivors and their evolving needs in the years to come.
MOVA is so appreciative to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for prioritizing survivors in their plan and recognizing the need for a timely response. As the bill is now under review by the House of Representatives, we look forward to working with the Legislature to fully-fund the VOCA Bridge.
Survivors, providers, and all our victim-service partners have been at the core of our advocacy efforts thus far. We are working to update the VOCA Bridge digital toolkit to support a renewed push over the coming weeks. To learn more about these efforts please sign up for our policy updates here.
2021 Needs Assessment of Victims/Survivors of Crime and Victim Service Providers
As announced in 2021, MOVA began implementing our 2021-2024 strategic plan. One of the goals in the plan is to improve services and supports for victims, survivors, and service providers by thoughtfully assessing the state of victim services in the Commonwealth. To assist in this effort, in late 2021, we began a statewide assessment to help us understand the strengths and gaps in victim service delivery in the Commonwealth. The assessment effort was led by consulting firm ICF Incorporated (ICF). To learn about the findings, click the link below.
2021 Needs Assessment of Victims/Survivors of Crime and Victim Service Providers
November 4, 2019 - Strategic Planning Advisory Group
October 28, 2019 - Strategic Planning Announcement
May 20, 2019 - MassLive
April 11, 2019 - The Heights
April 9, 2019 - 22News WWLP
April 10, 2018 - MassLive
The Garden of Peace
A message from the Garden of Peace and MOVA
The Governor has signed into law a bill, filed on behalf of the Garden of Peace and MOVA, that transfers the administration and maintenance of the Garden to the Victim Witness Assistance Board/MOVA.