Child Pornography Victims Assistance (CPVA) Program View printable version (pdf) The Child Pornography Victim Assistance (CPVA) Program is responsible for the notification process for victims of child pornography, which is mandated under the Crime Control Act of 1990 (...42 U.S.C. §10607) and the Crime Victims’ Rights Act of 2004 (18 U.S.C. §3771). At the initiation of an investigation, victims and/or guardians are contacted by a Victim Specialist (VS) who, in addition to providing referrals for services, explains the unique circumstances surrounding child pornography investigations, and the possibility that images may appear again in future investigations or court proceedings. At that time, the VS also requests the victim and/or guardian sign a Notification Preference Form. The FBI’s Office for Victim Assistance (OVA) maintains these forms once completed. Victims and/or guardians who indicate a preference for notification are entered into the U.S. Department of Justice Victim Notification System (VNS) to ensure they receive subsequent notification on court proceedings and defendant custody status in each individual case. Victims may also indicate on their Notification Preference Form a choice to provide a Victim Impact Statement (VIS) that may be used in federal, state, and/or local sentencings or parole proceedings where the defendant’s offenses involved images of the victimization. *You can provide a VIS regardless of whether or not you have chosen to be notified of those proceedings. Additional information regarding the VIS can be obtained through your local U.S. Attorney’s Office. Notification: Opting In/Out/Auto-In Due to the nature of criminal offenses involving possession and/or production of child pornography, an image involving the victimization may be the basis of multiple federal investigations and court proceedings. Therefore, if you choose to be notified every time the image appears in an investigation and/or court proceedings, you may start to receive a large number of notifications. If you choose to NOT be notified every time the image is the basis of a federal, state, and/or local investigation and/or court proceedings, you will not receive notifications. There are two options to choose from on the Notification Preference Form: Opting-In and Opting-Out. Opting-In: On your Notification Preference Form there is a box next to “Yes, I do wish to be notified of all future federal, state, and/or local investigations and/or court proceedings where images of the victimization are the basis for the investigation and/or charges.” By checking this box, you will receive notifications. Opting-Out: On your Notification Preference Form there is a box next to “No, I do not wish to be notified of any future federal, state, and/or local investigations and/or court proceedings where images of the victimization are the basis for the investigation and/or charges.” By checking this box, you will not receive notifications. Auto-In: If you do not mark any box on your Notification Preference Form, you will automatically receive notifications of all future federal, state, and/or local investigations and/or court proceedings where images of the victimization are the basis for the investigation and/or charges. You may/will be contacted in the following types of investigation: * Federal * Local/state You can change your mind regarding notification at anytime by contacting the Office for Victim Assistance at: 1-877-236-8947 or CPVA@ic.fbi.gov. Note: As part of the federal mandate to notify all victims of crime, if you are a parent/guardian of a victim who is under 18 years of age and has opted-out of the notification process, the victim will be notified after their 18th birthday. A representative from the Office for Victim Assistance will first coordinate with the parent/guardian to discuss the circumstances of obtaining a Notification Preference Form from the adult victim. Unique circumstances will be taken into consideration. FBI Innocent Images The Innocent Images National Initiative is composed of FBI agents and local police in proactive task forces around the country, where they work undercover online to investigate those who prey on children. Where To Go For Help FBI Office for Victim Assistance (OVA) OVA assists victims who have suffered direct or threatened physical, emotional, or financial harm as a result of the commission of a federal crime. Victim Specialists provide notification, direct support, and resources to these victims. 1-877-236-8947 or FBI Victim Assistance website. Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) OVC is a federal office that provides funding to support victim assistance and compensation programs. OVC’s website provides victims with information, resources and a directory of crime victim services. 1-800-851- 3420 or www.ovc.gov. Child Help USA Hotline This 24-hour hotline is dedicated to the prevention of child abuse. It offers crisis intervention, information, literature, and referrals to local emergency, social service, and support resources. Toll-free: 1-800-4-A-CHILD (422-2253) or www.childhelpusa.org. National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC) NCVC works with local, state, and federal partners to provide direct support and resources to victims of crime and advocates for laws and public policies that secure rights, resources, and protections for crime victims. 1-800-394-2255 or www.ncvc.org. National Crime Victim Bar Association For information regarding filing civil lawsuits against a perpetrator or other responsible party, and help locating attorneys specializing in victim-related litigation, call 202-467-8753 or visit www.victimbar.org. Limited Confidentiality Statement Your Victim Specialist is here to assist you as you go through the criminal justice process and is working as part of a team with the FBI Special Agent and personnel from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Discussions that you have with your Victim Specialist may not be considered completely confidential. As part of the team, there may be times when your Victim Specialist needs to share information you provide with the other team members. If you have questions about limited confidentiality, contact your Victim Specialist for clarification. The FBI Office for Victim Assistance is committed to providing you and your family with the most appropriate services to assist in reducing the effects of trauma. Your Victim Specialist is highly trained to assess your needs and link you to the best resources available. It is important that you work closely with your Victim Specialist. Your Victim Specialist can assist in making your experience with the criminal justice process a smooth one. Federal Bureau of Investigation Office for Victim Assistance Attn: Child Pornography Victim Assistance J. Edgar Hoover Building, Room 3729 935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20535 (877) 236-9847 CPVA@ic.fbi.gov