Victim Services, Resources, and Training

Established in 1984 with the enactment of the Commonwealth's first Victim Bill of Rights, MOVA strives to ensure access to equitable services across the Commonwealth.

MOVA provides assistance to crime victims and connects them with local providers available to assist them. Further, MOVA provides training opportunities for service providers to ensure those who work with victims and survivors are compassionate, informed, and are able to collaborate with one another to meet victim and survivor needs.

If you are looking for local victim services or support, please visit our AskMOVA website (www.mass.gov/askmova). You can find services by crime type and/or location on AskMOVA.

To be kept informed about updates from MOVA, please join our email distribution list by sending your name and email address to [e-mail] and asking to be added to the general listserv. We never share contact information.

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 that 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 2026 MTA will be held on Monday, July 20th- Friday, July 24th, 2026. This year's application process is coming soon we look forward to welcoming students to the MTA in July!

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	New Hope Stanley Street Treatment and Resources The New Bedford Women's Center
Essex	Healing Abuse Working for Change (HAWC) YWCA Northeastern MA
Franklin	Resilience Center of Franklin County (RCFC)
Hampden	Alianza Behavioral Health Network YWCA of Western MA
Hampshire	YWCA of Western MA
Middlesex	Greater Boston Legal Services YWCA of Central MA
Plymouth	Health Imperatives/A New Day South Shore Resource and Advocacy Center
Worcester	New Hope YWCA of Central MA

Victim Rights Month (VRM) 2026

Upcoming VRM Events

Throughout April, MOVA commemorates victim rights and services across the Commonwealth in honor of Victim Rights Month. Throughout the month, MOVA will host opportunities to uplift Victim Rights, including honoring the Victim Rights Award recipients at the State House, and recognizing advocates celebrating anniversaries of providing direct services. Follow us @massmova to stay up to date on all happenings. 

2026 Victim Rights Awards Ceremony

The Victim Rights Awards Ceremony will be held on April 28, 2026, at the Massachusetts State House, Grand Staircase at 1:00PM. Each year, MOVA honors individuals who have made notable contributions to advancing victim rights and services in Massachusetts.

Click here for the 2026 Victim Rights Awards Digital Program

Let us know what future training opportunities you would be interested in.

2026 Victim Rights Awardees

Thank you for your commitment and dedication on behalf of survivors across the Commonwealth. 

List of 2026 Victim Rights Awardees

2026 Length of Service Awardees

Thank you for your commitment and dedication on behalf of survivors across the Commonwealth!

List of 2026 Length of Service Awardees 

Past Trainings

Downloadable Resources

Victim Bill of Rights Brochures

SAFEPLAN Brochures

Safety planning during COVID-19

To request an alternate form of these documents, including a document in another language, contact [e-mail].