About the Hate Crimes Website

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

Today’s FBI is an intelligence-driven and threat-focused national security organization with both intelligence and law enforcement responsibilities that is staffed by a dedicated cadre of more than 30,000 agents, analysts, and other professionals who work around the clock and across the globe to protect the U.S. from terrorism, espionage, cyber attacks, and major criminal threats, and to provide its many partners with services, support, training, and leadership.

U.S. Attorney’s Offices (USAOs)

The President appoints a U.S. Attorney to each of the 94 federal judicial districts to be the district's chief federal law enforcement officer. Each USAO prosecutes criminal cases brought by the federal government and participates in civil litigation where the United States is a party. Each USAO also has a victim services unit that provides assistance to victims in the cases it prosecutes.

Civil Rights Division (CRT)

CRT works to uphold the civil and constitutional rights of all persons in the U.S. and its territories, particularly some of the most vulnerable members of our society. The Division enforces federal statutes prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, familial status, and national origin, including federal hate crimes laws.

U.S. Attorney’s Offices (USAOs)

The President appoints a U.S. Attorney to each of the 94 federal judicial districts to be the district's chief federal law enforcement officer. Each USAO prosecutes criminal cases brought by the federal government and participates in civil litigation where the United States is a party. Each USAO also has a victim services unit that provides assistance to victims in the cases it prosecutes. 

Community Relations Service (CRS)

CRS  serves as “America’s Peacemaker” for communities facing conflict based on actual or perceived race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or disability. CRS works toward its mission by providing facilitated dialogue, mediation, training, and consultation to assist these communities come together, develop solutions to the conflict, and enhance their capacity to independently prevent and resolve future conflict.

Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office)

The COPS Office is the component of the U.S. Department of Justice responsible for advancing the practice of community policing by the nation's state, local, territorial, and tribal law enforcement agencies through information and grant resources.

Office of Justice Programs (OJP)

OJP provides innovative leadership to federal, state, local, and tribal justice systems by disseminating state-of-the art knowledge and practices across America and providing grants for the implementation of these crime-fighting strategies. Because most of the responsibility for crime control and prevention falls to law enforcement officers in states, cities, and neighborhoods, the federal government can be effective in these areas only to the extent that it can enter into partnerships with these officers.

Office for Victims of Crime (OVC)

OVC funds numerous victim centered programs that help restore a sense of security, support, and well-being for those who have experienced trauma fueled by hate crimes. Every state and six territories receive Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Formula funds from OVC to help support crime victim assistance and crime victim compensation programs. Victims may be eligible for receive VOCA crime victim compensation benefits, including reimbursement for medical services, mental health counseling, lost wages, and other costs incurred as a result of the crime. Victims may also be eligible for victim based support services provided by local direct victim service programs funded by VOCA Formula Victim Assistance funding.

To find information about victim assistance and victim compensation in your state or territory, visit Help in Your State | Help for Victims | OVC (ojp.gov). Organizations interested in current funding opportunities related to hate crimes should visit the grants page of this hate crimes website. Information about additional funding opportunities is available here.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

The FBI Victim Services Division informs, supports and assists victims and their families in navigating the aftermath of federal crimes and the criminal justice process with dignity and resilience. The Victim Services Division is responsible for ensuring that victims of federal crimes are given the opportunity to receive services and notification as required by federal law and the Attorney General Guidelines on Victim and Witness Assistance.

U.S. Attorney’s Offices (USAOs)

The Victim Witness Assistance Program in each U.S. Attorney’s Office is staffed with trained professionals who work with victims and witnesses of every type of crime charged in a federal court, from human trafficking to identity theft, from child exploitation to hate crimes. The program ensures that victims and witnesses of federal crimes, who have suffered physical, financial or emotional harm, are afforded their statutory rights and receive the necessary assistance, service, and protection to which they are entitled under law throughout the Federal criminal justice process. Contact information for the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in your state or territory is available by clicking on the map here: State Data | HATECRIMES | Department of Justice.