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.

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	NELCWIT
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

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. This year's application process has closed and we look forward to welcoming students to the MTA in July. Stay tuned for more information about the 2026 academy. 

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. 

2025 Length of Service Awardees

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

List of 2025 Length of Service Awardees

Victim Rights Awards Ceremony

The Victim Rights Awards Ceremony will be held May 5, 2025, at the Massachusetts State House, Grand Staircase.

Each year, MOVA honors individuals who have made notable contributions to advancing victim rights and services in Massachusetts. Congratulations to this year's awardees listed below, we look forward to presenting the awards at the ceremony in May.

2025 Victim Rights Awards Recipients

Gerard D. Downing Leadership Award:

Dr. Fanta Atkinson, Center for Homicide Bereavement, Cambridge Health Alliance

Advocate of the Year Award:

Mary Krol, Hilltown Community Health Centers

Sonia Arrubla-Castro, Safe Passage

Corinn Crowninshield, Massachusetts Probation Victim Services

Legislator of the Year Award:

Representative Kate Hogan, 3rd Middlesex

Access to Justice Award:

Sergeant Detective Tony D'Alba, Chelsea Police Department

Corporate Leadership Award:

Issues Management Group, Dan Cence

Innovation Award:

Paula Kularski, Behavioral Health Network

Special Recognition Awards:

Charmise Galloway

Nathacha Louis

2025 Victim Rights Awards Booklet 

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 [e-mail]. 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.

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

Past Trainings

2025 Victim Rights Month Webinars

Workshop: Coercive and Controlling Abusive Behaviors – Understanding the New Protections

Presented by: Anne Sheldon (Massachusetts Law Reform Institute), Amiee Parco (Greater Boston Legal Services), Carmen Aliber (Together Rising Above Coercion - TRAC)
When: Wednesday, April 2, 2025 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM
Watch the webinar here
Description:
This workshop will cover the recent amendment to M.G.L. 209A, which now includes coercive and controlling behaviors in its definition of abuse. Presenters will discuss the statute’s impact, how it changes the legal landscape for survivors, and strategies for advocates assisting survivors. Attendees will also explore practical applications of the law through real-world scenarios.

Workshop: Sustain Our Movement, Strengthen Our Impact

Presented by: Jessica Teperow (Jessica Teperow Consulting, LLC)
When: Wednesday, April 9, 2025 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM
Watch the webinar here
Description:
This workshop will focus on strategies to sustain advocates and organizations working in the anti-violence movement. Participants will gain tangible tools to prevent burnout, enhance workplace well-being, and foster resilience. The session will encourage reflection and collective action to strengthen advocacy efforts.

Workshop: Survivors Say Webinar: Launching new survivor media resources

Presented by: Survivor Says
When: Friday, April 11, 2025 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM
Watch the webinar here
Description:
This webinar shares a new series of guides to help survivors determine if, when, and how to safely engage with the media.

Workshop: Accessible Practices – Representing Survivors with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Presented by: Nora Grais-Clements (Victim Rights Law Center)
When: Wednesday, April 16, 2025 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM
Description:
Survivors with intellectual and developmental disabilities experience high rates of sexual violence and often face barriers to services. This session will examine challenges survivors encounter and present best practices for advocates and legal professionals. Participants will learn about plain language communication and accessibility strategies to improve survivor-centered services.

Workshop: AT&T’s Domestic Violence Digital Safety Initiative

Presented by: Edmund Donnelly (AT&T)
When: Friday, April 18, 2025 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM
Watch the webinar here
Description:
This session will introduce AT&T’s digital safety initiative, developed with domestic violence advocates to address technology-facilitated abuse. The workshop will provide essential safety planning tools related to wireless accounts, devices, and online security to help survivors and those who support them navigate digital risks.

Workshop: Know Your Rights

Presented by: Jessica Chicco (MIRA)
When: Friday, April 25, 2025 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM
Description:
This session will provide immigrant survivors with information on their legal rights and available protections. It will cover recent policy updates, pathways to safety and support, and how advocates can better assist survivors navigating complex systems.

Workshop: The Path to Healing and Wholeness for Survivors of Human Trafficking

Presented by: EMMA (Equality Model in MA) Coalition
When: Wednesday, April 30, 2025 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM
Description:
Join us for a powerful conversation led by the EMMA (Equality Model in MA) Coalition, a survivor-led, community effort focused on ending violence against prostituted people. This webinar will center survivor voices and explore what healing and wholeness can look like after trafficking.

Please note: This session will not be recorded. 

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].