Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance

08/21/2026

We’re less than one month away from the 2026 Garden of Peace Annual Honor Program!

What is the Garden of Peace?
The Garden is the Massachusetts memorial to victims of homicide, a place where families, friends, and the larger community may remember and honor the lives of those taken by violence.
It's an enduring reminder of the impact of violence and a visual testament of the need to eliminate it. At the same time, the Garden serves as a symbol of hope, peace, and renewal.

How do I request an engraving?
Applications for engraving a loved one’s name in the Garden of Peace can be accessed through the link in bio and can be found on the Garden of Peace website.

How can I help?
Donations are warmly accepted to the Garden. They can be made through the link in our bio and on the Garden of Peace website.

Where is the Garden of Peace?
The Garden of Peace is located at 64-98 Somerset St. in Boston, Ma.
Please join MOVA for the 2026 Garden of Peace Annual Honor Program on
📅 September 17, 2026
🕠 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

The 2026 program is open to the public and will also be livestreamed via MOVA's YouTube channel. Information on the Honor Program is available on the Garden website at the link in our bio.

Please contact the Garden of Peace at [email protected] if you have any questions or to request a reasonable accommodation.

We hope to see you there. 💚

08/07/2026

A few weeks later but we’re still replaying these moments. 🤩

For almost two decades, the MOVA training academy has been more than just a week of training- it’s a space where advocates can network, collaborate, and work together to provide trauma-informed, survivor-centered services. Our partnership with Endicott College continues to foster an environment where students can connect, exchange ideas, and build relationships that extend beyond the MTA.

This year over 50 criminal and community-based legal advocates, representing 30 agencies joined us to learn from one another, share experiences, and develop collaborative approaches to meeting the evolving needs of victims and survivors. Together, they're helping build a stronger, more connected network of support right here in Massachusetts.

Photos by: Tessa McAndrews Photography

08/06/2026

August is National Wellness Month. To celebrate, please join us and Riverside Community Care for the upcoming webinar, Caring for Others, Caring for Ourselves: A Trauma Informed Approach.

This webinar will explore the questions: What is trauma? What is trauma-informed care? What is the toll of working with others’ trauma? The session will offer practical strategies for practicing provider wellness while working with survivors of trauma.

Register here: https://ow.ly/bUsW50Zxae2

07/31/2026

July is Disability Pride and the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)- a law that protects people with disabilities from discrimination and many areas of public life!

Celebrating Disability Pride Month is an opportunity to recognize and amplify the lived experiences of people with disabilities, including victims and survivors of crime across the Commonwealth. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of creating communities, services, resources, and systems that are equitable and inclusive for everyone.

At MOVA, we remain committed to advancing and fostering accessible environments, resources, and services. We strive to ensure that all victims and survivors of crime throughout Massachusetts have access to necessary support, advocacy, and resources they need without barriers.
👉www.mass.gov/askmova for free, trauma-informed, accessible resources near you, including the Victim Bill of Rights with 18 translations.

The Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD) provides information, guidance, and training on disability-related civil rights and architectural access. MOD can help you understand disability-related civil rights laws and regulations and how they apply to your situation. 👉https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-office-on-disability

As we reflect on the progress made, we also recognize that there is more work that needs to be done. We are grateful to all of those in our MOVA community that work tirelessly to protect all victims and survivors of crime- and meet them where they’re at.

Together, we're making the progress to embed accessibility, inclusion, and equity in every aspect of victim services. Thank you.

07/30/2026

A week of MOVA Training Academy, no trending audio needed 🎥✨

It was a great week Endicott College hosting 50+ criminal legal and community based advocates, representing 30 agencies from all over the state. From networking with victim services professionals, learning from experienced mentors and presenters, and building connections that will continue beyond this week- every moment mattered!

Thank you to our students, mentors, staff and all who partnered with us to make it a memorable

07/24/2026

Thank you to Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker for speaking with our students at the 2026 MOVA Training Academy at Endicott College!

On Tuesday, DA Tucker welcomed 50 criminal legal and community based advocates from across the state, shared insights from the beginning of his career to serving Essex County and highlighted the vital role of access to rights and equitable services for crime victims and survivors. We appreciate your time, survivor informed perspective, and support of the MTA as direct service advocates lean into new partnerships and enhanced perspectives to meet the emerging needs of the field.

07/02/2026

We're hiring! MOVA is seeking a mission-driven, trauma-informed Victim Compensation Claims Advocate to join our team.

Language capacity in Spanish, Haitian Creole, or Mandarin is preferred. Learn more about the role and apply via the job posting on our website:

Browse employment opportunities available at the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance.

06/23/2026

Please join MOVA for the 2026 Garden of Peace Annual Honor Program on Thursday, September 17, from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. in the Garden of Peace.

The 2026 program will also be livestreamed via MOVA's YouTube channel. Information on the Honor Program is available on the Garden website at www.mass.gov/gardenofpeace.

The Garden of Peace is located at 64-98 Somerset St. in Boston, Ma. Please contact the Garden of Peace if you have any questions or to request a reasonable accommodation.

06/05/2026

🌈Happy Pride Month!🏳️‍🌈

During Pride Month, we celebrate authenticity, resilience, and community while reaffirming our commitment to inclusive, trauma-informed support for survivors. You are worthy, you are loved, and you are not alone. If you are a survivor seeking support, resources are available. Swipe through to discover resources and Pride events near you, and join us in uplifting, supporting, and celebrating LGBTQIA+ communities all month long.

Events:
🌈Ptown Pride | June 4-7, all weekend long
🌈Boston Pride for the People | June 6, 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
🌈Newburyport Pride | June 6, 1:00-4:00 p.m.
🌈Springfield Pride | June 6, 12:00 p.m.
🌈Greater Lowell Pride | June 13, 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
🌈Franklin County Pride | June 13, 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
🌈Berkshire Pride | Saturday June 20 | 10 am- 6pm
🌈Quincy Pride | 12:00 p.m. -5:00p.m.
🌈Boston Black Pride | All weekend long

Victim Service Resources:
✨AskMOVA – www.mass.gov/askmova
✨The Network/La Red 24/7 Hotline - 617-742-4911 - The Network/La Red’s 24-hour hotline provides confidential emotional support, crisis intervention, and more for LGBTQ+ folks, as well as folks in kink and polyamorous communities who are being abused or have been abused by a partner.
✨Fenway Health Violence Recovery Program – 617-927-6250 - Free counseling and advocacy, specializing in services to the LGBTQIA+ community.

Additional Resources:
🏳️‍🌈Boston Alliance of Gay, Le***an Bisexual and Trans Youth (BAGLY)
🏳️‍🌈Crisis Text line text ‘HOME’ to 741741
🏳️‍🌈LGBT Helpline and peer listening- 1-800-399-PEER
🏳️‍🌈LGBT National Help Center Hotline – 888-843-4564
🏳️‍🌈LGBT National Coming Out Support Hotline – 888-688-5428
🏳️‍🌈NAMI Massachusetts Connection Recovery Group – 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
🏳️‍🌈The Trevor project hotline: 1-866-488-7386
🏳️‍🌈Trans Lifeline 877-565-8860

We’re also starting something new this Pride Month- introducing: a social series dedicated to sharing good news, local events, community resources, and survivor-led stories that inspire hope. What better way to start off than with a touch of pride! 🌈

AskMOVA is a free online resource offered by the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance (MOVA). MOVA supports free and accessible direct services throughout Massachusetts that help crime victims and their families recover from the impacts of violent crime. AskMOVA allows victims, survivors, and....