Program History

In response to the 1981 President's Task Force on Violent Crime and the Victim and Witness Protection Act (VWPA) of 1982, responsibility for victim and witness assistance in the federal government was assigned to U.S. Attorneys’ Offices nationwide. A Victim Witness Coordinator was appointed for each U.S. Attorney’s Office to ensure compliance with the VWPA.

The Attorney General of the United States established guidelines for victim witness assistance pursuant to the VWPA of 1982, and subsequent statutes have been enacted to further enhance and ensure additional rights and protections to victims and witnesses. The most recent Attorney General Guidelines for Victim and Witness Assistance became effective on March 31, 2023.

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