What is the NCVSP?
The National Census of Victim Service Providers (NCVSP), sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) and Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), is critical to understanding the landscape of victim services across the country and providing national data on victim service provision and characteristics of victim service providers. This collection provides national data on all programs and organizations that served victims of crime or abuse within the year prior to the survey.
What is the purpose of the 2023 NCVSP?
The purpose of the 2023 survey is to fill existing gaps in knowledge and information on the variety of organizations and programs that provide services to victims of crime or abuse, the types of victims served, services provided, staffing, and resources available for the provision of services. See the Victim Services Statistical Research Program page for more information on the types of data collected on victim service provision.
Who is sponsoring this survey?
The U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) and Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) sponsor this survey. BJS and OVC work with the Justice Research and Statistics Association (JRSA), Westat, and the National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) to conduct this data collection.
What kinds of questions will you be asking?
We will be asking questions about the types of victims served, available services, staffing, and resources available for the provision of services. See the NCVSP web page for statistics and data products released from the 2017 data collection.
How long does the survey take to complete?
It should take less than 15 minutes to gather information and 15 minutes to complete the questionnaire.
Will I be penalized for not participating?
Participation in this study is voluntary. Although your input is valuable to the success of the study and the completeness of data collected on victim service providers in the U.S., there is no penalty if you decide not to participate.
Will the study results be made available?
The study results will be made available. However, we do not have a timeline regarding when that will be. We suggest subscribing to the Bureau of Justice Statistics’ JUSTSTATS to stay up to date.
Will I be paid for participating?
There is no incentive for participating in this study, but the information you provide will be vital in filling existing gaps in knowledge and information on the variety of organizations and programs that provide services to victims of crime or abuse. The most important reason for conducting the 2023 NCVSP is to obtain a current list of all operational victim service providers in the United States. A current list is necessary because the victim services agencies and organizations may have updated contact information, ceased operations, changed/added services, or changed structure since the 2017 NCVSP. New organizations have also been formed since that time.
Can you mail me a paper version of the survey to complete?
There is no paper version of the survey. Most victim service providers will prefer to complete the online survey. If you would like to respond to a telephone interview, please call the NCVSP Help Desk at 855-470-2983.
Is this study’s website secure?
Yes, Westat follows the most up-to-date industry standard protocols to ensure your organization’s data are safe and secure.
Can I do this survey on another device?
Yes, this survey will work on most devices.
What browsers should I use to launch the web survey?
This survey should work with most browsers, but we recommend using Chrome, Edge, or Firefox.
Can I start the survey and go back and finish it later?
Yes, just log back onto the website with your unique PIN and the survey will start from where you left off.
I tried to fill out the survey online, but I am having technical issues. Is there another way for me to complete the survey?
The NCVSP Help Desk can help you troubleshoot the technical issues you are experiencing, or, if you prefer, you may complete the survey over the telephone. Please contact the NCVSP Help Desk at [email protected] or 855-470-2983 to request a telephone interview.
My PIN is not working.
Please contact the NCVSP Help Desk at [email protected] or 855-470-2983, and someone will help troubleshoot the issue.
I just don’t have time to complete this.
The survey takes less than 30 minutes to complete. Your response is vital to filling existing gaps in knowledge and information on the variety of organizations and programs that provide services to victims of crime or abuse. See the Victim Services Statistical Research Program page for more information on the types of data collected on victim service provision.
I am on the National Do Not Call Registry. Why do I still get calls about this survey?
Since this is a research project that does not sell goods or services, it is not part of the Do Not Call Registry.
Who do I contact for questions or to comment on the 2023 National Census of Victim Service Providers?
If you have any questions about this study, please contact the NCVSP Help Desk at [email protected] or 855-470-2983. You may also contact the project director, Beth Rabinovich, PhD, at [email protected].