Victim Services, Resources, and Training

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 during the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit our AskMOVA page at 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.

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:

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	NELCWIT
Hampden	Behavioral Health Network Womanshelter/Companeras 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

 

The Massachusetts Victim Assistance Academy (MVAA)

At this time, we are working toward transitioning the 2021 MVAA to a virtual experience. More information pertaining to the academy will be added here in the coming weeks. Stay tuned! 

If you have questions, please contact [e-mail].

Victim Rights Month (VRM)

MOVA will host a month-long celebration of victim rights and services in Massachusetts throughout April. Over the course of the month, we will offer virtual training opportunities, honor last year's Victim Rights Award recipients, and recognize advocates who are celebrating anniversaries of providing direct services. 

Click here to learn more about and register for our VRM workshops.

Awards Ceremony

Last year's Victim Rights Award recipients will be honored throughout the month of April on our social media outlets. Follow @massmova on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to join us in commemorating the 2020 award recipients.

Congratulations to the 2020 Victim Rights Month award recipients. 

Gerard D. Downing Leadership Award
Courtney Cahill, Bristol County District Attorney's Office

Legislator of the Year Award
Representative Marjorie Decker, Massachusetts House of Representatives

Public Policy Advocacy Award
Corrinna Martin, Mothers of Victim Equality

Future Leaders Award
Lauren Souza, Fitchburg State University

Access to Justice Award
Every Voice Coalition

Innovation Award
Elizabeth Speakman, City of Cambridge and
Louis D. Brown and the City of Boston

Advocate of the Year
Tina Simmons, Hampden County District Attorney's Office and
Josephine Powell, Elizabeth Freeman Center

Corporate Leadership Award
Seaport Hotel and World Trade Center

Special Recognition Award
Audrey Morrissey, My Life My Choice

Upcoming Training Opportunities

MOVA hosts a variety of training opportunities via Zoom throughout the year.

• Click here to learn more about upcoming virtual training and events in March. 

• Click here to register for 'The Future of VOCA Funding in Massachusetts: A Conversation with MOVA' on April 6, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.

For information pertaining to Victim Rights Month events, visit the "Victim Rights Month (VRM)" tab in the table of contents on this web page. 

Please note that registration is required for all trainings and events, and you must register for each event you'd like to attend.

If you have any questions or to request a reasonable accommodation for any of our virtual convenings, please contact MOVA at [e-mail].

 

Downloadable Resources

Victim Bill of Rights English

Victim Bill of Rights Spanish

SAFEPLAN Brochure English

SAFEPLAN Brochure Spanish

SAFEPLAN Brochure Portuguese

SAFEPLAN Brochure Haitian Creole

Safety planning during COVID-19

 

To request an alternate form of these documents, contact [e-mail].