Revised OVS Consolidated Program Standards

On August 12, 2025, the Victim Services Advisory Committee approved updates to the PCCD Consolidated Victims Service Standards. The updates affect the following Standards:

Accompaniment

• Program staff providing accompaniment shall be able to explain the purpose of the proceeding and clarify the victim's role in the proceeding.
• The VSP shall ensure staff is knowledgeable of all criminal or juvenile proceedings by having regular contact with the courts. This also allows the VSP to have advanced knowledge of scheduled hearings.
• The VSP shall develop criteria for prioritizing cases and to avoid duplicative efforts. When in-person support is not possible, the VSP shall provide another resource for accompaniment.

Prior Comment

• Program staff shall attempt to work collaboratively with the District Attorney and the Juvenile Probation Office to receive timely information and provide it to victims. VSPs shall advocate for the victim to be able to give prior comment.

Property Return

• If the evidence on the victim's digital device(s) can be downloaded, advocate for prompt return of those devices. If it is determined the device(s) cannot be returned, advocate for return of the victim's personal files on those devices.
• In cases where evidence can't be returned, VSPs shall work with law enforcement and/or the prosecution to help the victim understand why, when, or if they may expect a return.

Relocation

• A victim's participation in relocation must be voluntary. Relocation that is court-ordered is not eligible for VOCA funding and must be provided by the appropriate county office independently.
• VSPs must work with the victim to assess all relocation needs, and where an immediate need for relocation is expressed, the VSP shall complete an application, intake, and risk assessment with the victim.
• VSPs shall obtain written consent from the victim before contacting any vendors.
• VSPs that utilize funding through the Attorney General's Office, PCADV, and VCAP for relocation services must follow the respective requirements of those funding streams. VOCA funds remain the payor of last resort.

Restitution

• VSPs are responsible to provide information on restitution services and to advocate for payment in full to the victim.
• VSPs shall provide information to the victim on options for pursuing civil remedies against the offenders(s).
• VSPs shall inform the victim of reimbursement responsibilities to the VCAP where restitution has been paid and where a claim was paid directly to the victim.

Transitional Housing



• VSPs the provide Transitional housing shall utilize scattered site, clustered site, or communal living models.
• Written policies shall include the details of eligibility, scope, and length of services to include early termination, rental agreements, security, liability, safety plan consideration, tenant rights and responsibilities, and emergency protocols.
• VSPs must adhere to PCCD's Applicants Manual for reporting and reconciling any program income generated from transitional housing that could impact VOCA awards. VSPs are encouraged to reach out to the PCCD Fiscal Contact for questions or concerns regarding program income.

Victim Impact Statements

• VSPs shall provide written guidance to inform and assist the victim in completing an impact statement.
• VSPs shall assist the victim in the preparation of an oral or written statement upon request.

All VSPs who have OVS has their oversight entity and who provide these respective services will be required to have updated policies and procedures with these standards as of October 1, 2025.

The "Changes" page within the OVS Consolidated Standards details these updates with additional information.

Inquiries regarding these updates with additional information.

Inquiries regarding these updates may be directed to Heather Cureau, OVS Program Supervisor, by emailing hcureau@pa.gov or by calling (717) 265- 8712.

Consolidated Standards Training Video

Pennsylvania has long been considered a leader when it comes to the OVS Consolidated Standards, in their design to deliver quality services and programming led by skilled advocates and staff. 

To better inform the field, OVS has launched a series of recordings that walk program staff through each of the standards. These are short recordings, up to thirty (30) minutes in length. Each recording counts toward OVS annual training requirements. Staff may listen to any number of recordings as they are released. 

All videos can be found on PCCD's Consolidated Victim Service Program Standards webpage, with the latest video, Therapy Standard, now available.

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

September is National Suicide Prevention Month - a time to remember the lives lost to suicide, acknowledge the millions more who have experienced suicidal thoughts, and the many individuals, families and communities that have been impacted by suicide. It's also a time to raise awareness about suicide prevention.

Please click here to view.

ICCR Yearly Cohort Program

Each year, the Institute for Coordinated Community Response (ICCR) provides coordinated community response support to rural communities working to improve systemic responses to domestic violence.

Program Highlights include:

•            Kick-Off in May at the Conference on Crimes Against Women in Dallas, TX (registration, travel, and lodging included).

•            Monthly meetings and tasks from June to November focused on survivor-centered systemic reviews.

•            Implementation phase from December to May to launch actionable CCR improvements.

•            Quarterly in-person trainings tailored to each participating county.

•            Wrap-Up in May at the Conference on Crimes Against Women.

Teams must include a law enforcement officer, prosecutor, and community-based advocate, with enthusiastic support from leadership. Other criminal justice system stakeholders, such as systems advocates, probation officers, and dispatchers, are also welcome to participate.

Teams are generally notified in December if they have been selected to participate in the following year’s cohort, which begins in May. Deadline for applications is September 19, 2025.

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Forgiveness Hasn't Been Easy

Since the shooting at the Charleston AME Church one decade ago, the Rev. Sharon Risher has turned her personal struggle into a fight for criminal justice.

Please click here to read.

Litigation Abuse

Survivors may turn to the courts to seek protection for themselves and their families, validation of the harm they've suffered, and accountability for the abuser.

Abusive parties can also misuse the court system to continue exerting power and control. This is commonly known as "litigation abuse".

Please click here to read.

New Review Highlights Significant Need For Comprehensive Care For Gun Violence Survivors

University of Maryland School of Medicine trauma surgeons offer their insights into best practices to ensure more standardized care.

Please click here to read.

A Life Sentence Of Grief

Without enough resources to meet their needs, families of homicide victims say, years late, they're struggling to cope.

Please click here to read.

Protection From Abuse Law Refresher

October 23, 2025

12:00 - 1:30 pm

In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Pennsylvania judges, court personnel, and other justice system stakeholders are invited to attend an informational webinar.

This 90-minute refresher provides training participants with a clear and up-to-date overview of Pennsylvania's Protection from Abuse (PFA) Act and its practical application. We'll cover the basics with a focus on areas of the Act that are often misinterpreted, such as:

• Act 79 firearm relinquishment requirements and the difference between their application in Orders issued after a hearing and those issued per Consent Agreement
• What "when the court is deemed available" really means in the emergency PFA context—and how to ensure petitioners have timely access to relief
• Adding pets to PFA orders and enforcing those provisions
• Other frequently misunderstood provisions and procedural issues

Through practical examples and discussion, participants will leave better equipped to apply the law consistently, address common misunderstandings, and ensure access to justice for survivors while protecting the rights of all parties.

Please click here to register.