SAFEPLAN Programs
Safety Assistance For Every Person Leaving Abuse Now
SAFEPLAN is MOVA’s statewide court-based program that provides specially trained advocates to help victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking who are seeking protection from abuse. SAFEPLAN currently serves 53 district and probate courts throughout the state. SAFEPLAN Advocates are employed by 15 local community-based domestic violence and sexual assault agencies in the following counties:
| County | Agency |
|---|---|
| Barnstable | Independence House |
| Berkshire | Elizabeth Freeman Center |
| Bristol | |
| Essex | |
| Franklin | NELCWIT |
| Hampden | |
| Hampshire | YWCA of Western MA |
| Middlesex | |
| Plymouth | |
| Worcester | New Hope YWCA of Central MA |
Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance Training Academy (MTA)
The Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance (MOVA) Training Academy (MTA) was developed to meet the emerging needs of direct service providers in the victim services field in Massachusetts. MOVA envisions this academy will unite criminal legal and community advocates across the Commonwealth and provide knowledge that supports trauma informed, culturally responsive, and equitable services that reflect the diverse communities they serve. As a result, the voices and experiences of victims and survivors will be further heard, valued, and amplified across systems.
The 2025 MTA application will be open in January 2025.
More information on both, including a detailed agenda and logistics, will be shared upon attendee acceptance to the training academy. Please feel free to reach out to mova@mass.gov if you have any questions pertaining to this training opportunity.
Victim Rights Month (VRM) 2025
Throughout April, MOVA commemorates victim rights and services across the Commonwealth. The 2025 national theme is, KINSHIP: a call to action to recognize that shared humanity should be at the center of supporting all survivors and victims of crime. MOVA will host a virtual series of events that align with this theme, honor the Victim Rights Award recipients at the State House, and recognize advocates celebrating anniversaries of providing direct services. Follow us @massmova to stay up to date.
Past VRM Webinars and Events
VOCA Bridge Awareness Day: Advocating for Options, Services, and Hope for Survivors
The Chair of the Victim and Witness Assistance Board, Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, alongside the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance (MOVA), victim service providers, and allies kicked off Victim Rights Month 2024 with an event centered around advocacy and reflection. Learn about the history of victim services, hear inspiring stories from agencies and survivors, and advocate for VOCA Bridge funding to support high-quality services that are trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and reflective of diverse communities for all crime victims across Massachusetts.
Speak The Voice in Me: Finding Life and Life-Giving Breath After Sexual Trauma
This training was presented by Melanie Barton, a survivor/advocate/forensic interviewer, and it is part of MOVA's 2024 Victim Rights Month commemoration.
Best Practices for Serving Survivors of Homicide Victims
This training will be presented by Heather Dabreu and Damaris Ortiz from the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute. It is part of MOVA's 2024 Victim Rights Month commemoration.
Taunton Survivors' Collective: A Collaboration Centering BIPOC-identified Sexual Assault Survivors
This training will be presented by Christine Gaze from New Hope, Inc., April Funches from the Taunton Diversity Network, and Chastity Bowick from Collective Capacity Consulting. It is part of MOVA's 2024 Victim Rights Month commemoration.
A Multidisciplinary Response to Sexual Abuse: Understanding and Addressing the Needs of Sexual Abuse Survivors with a Disability
This training will be presented by Melissa Loth, Tiffany Goffer-Fitz, and Patty Quatieri, who are all part of the Sexual Assault Response (SAR) Team at the Massachusetts Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC). The training is part of MOVA's 2024 Victim Rights Month commemoration.
Empowering Advocates: Unlocking the Potential of Extreme Risk Protection Orders in Victim Services
This training will be presented by Julie Bakoian from Healing Abuse Working for Change (HAWC), and it is part of MOVA's 2024 Victim Rights Month commemoration.
The Critical Role of the Victim Advocate in the Journey from Victim to Survivor
This training will be presented by Christine Wolf, LICSW, author, and it is part of MOVA's 2024 Victim Rights Month commemoration.
When: Thursday, April 18, 2024 from 10:00- 11:15 a.m.
Where: via Zoom
Victim Rights Awards Ceremony
On April 23, 2024, MOVA hosted the annual Victim Rights Awards Ceremony at the Massachusetts State House. Each year, MOVA honors individuals who have made notable contributions to advancing victim rights and services in Massachusetts. Thank you to all who attended and congratulations to this year's awardees!
2024 Award Recipients
Access to Justice Award
Amy Hamill, The Second Step
Kate Lagana, Suffolk County District Attorney's Office
Advocate of the Year
Anthia Elliott, Behavioral Health Network
Julie Devlin, Massachusetts Parole Board
Sheelah Gobar, Children's Advocacy Center of Suffolk County
Innovation Award
Jesse Moskowitz, Boston Area Rape Crisis Center
Gerard D. Downing Leadership Award
Ronit Barkai, Transition House
Legislator of the Year Award
Senator Adam Gomez, The Massachusetts Senate
Public Policy Advocacy Award
Shaquera Robinson, Shaquera’s Story Domestic Violence Consulting & Coaching, Inc.
Upcoming Training Opportunities
MOVA hosts a variety of training opportunities, mostly via Zoom, throughout the year. All upcoming training opportunities will be posted here. Please note that registration is required for all trainings and events.
If you have any questions or to request a reasonable accommodation, including language access, for any of our virtual convenings, please contact MOVA at MOVA@mass.gov. Reasonable accommodations will be provided upon request with reasonable advance notice. All accommodation requests must be received at least two weeks in advance of the session. Requests will be handled based upon the availability of service(s) and updates will be provided as we work to secure your request.
Foundations of Domestic Violence
Presented by Multicultural Bridge
MOVA is pleased to invite you to a special webinar as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) that will explore the Foundations of Domestic Violence, presented by Multicultural BRIDGE. This webinar will provide a comprehensive overview of domestic violence, its root causes, and its impact on victims/survivors, with a particular focus on cultural humility and inclusive advocacy.
When: Oct 23, 2024 from 1:00- 2:00 p.m.
Where: via Zoom Webinar
Review the Webinar Recording.
Let us know what future training opportunities you would be interested in.
Downloadable Resources
Victim Bill of Rights Brochures
Safety planning during COVID-19
To request an alternate form of these documents, including a document in another language, contact mova@mass.gov.