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As pervasive as identity theft already is, perpetrators find new ways to violate victims, especially the youngest and most vulnerable in our society, along with their families. As was recently reported deceased children and their Social Security Numbers are being used to commit fraud, leaving grieving families with financial debts and secondary trauma. NOVA is committed to education and awareness as well as remediation support for victims of identity theft.

James P. Damos died Saturday, September 10, 2011 after having lived ninety-one years, a large portion in University City, Missouri, during his career as Chief of Police. Mr. Damos was committed to serving and supporting the needs of crime victims, as demonstrated by his service on the NOVA Board of Directors and President Reagan's Presidential Task Force (1982) to focus on the victims of crimes, a group which had been largely ignored in the past by our system of justice.

Thank you Mr. Damos, for your commitment to the cause of justice for all, including the victims.

In the wake of a mass-casualty shooting at an IHOP restaurant in Carson City, Nevada, on September 6, 2011, NOVA sent in a team to provide crisis response and intervention services over the weekend of September 17, 2011.

In the days and weeks following 9/11, NOVA sent literally hundreds of trained crisis responders to the three sites of the terrorist attacks in Pennsylvania, the Pentagon and New York City and New Jersey. Hundreds of other NOVA-trained crisis responders, embedded in first responder units, victim assistance programs and local teams, also provided crisis intervention services.

There are crime victim assistance programs throughout the United States. Finding the most appropriate program may involve calling several different numbers. It is important not to give up easily. For guidance in navigating the system, call NOVA's toll-free number is 800-879-6682 (Monday - Friday, 9:00AM - 5:00PM Eastern Time).

Becoming the victim of a crime leaves victims – and those around them – in a state where they are not thinking as clearly as they usually do, and they may feel overwhelmed. There is often financial loss and physical injury connected with victimization, but the most devastating part for many victims is the emotional pain caused by crime. It is difficult for many victims to understand that someone else wanted to hurt them. The experience of becoming a crime victim can shatter a person’s life in a variety of ways.

It is important to recognize that even the most careful person cannot prevent all crimes. If an offender is determined to commit a crime against someone, he can usually find someone to victimize. It is important not to blame anyone who becomes a crime victim, and to remember that it was not their fault. Even if the victim showed poor judgment in his behavior, the crime is still the offender’s fault.

There are various types of injuries that a victim may experience. They can be broken down into four main categories:

There are some things a person can do to try to prevent a crime from happening. Everyone should learn personal habits and techniques they can use to help avoid becoming a victim. No safety plan or self-defense course will guarantee to keep a person safe. However, when people are more aware of safety, they will be more cautious and may feel more confident that they will know what to do if an emergency occurs.