The U.S. Department of Justice has held the first Attorney General’s Summit on Victims of Violent Crime, bringing victims and survivor families together with federal justice officials at an event focused on the experiences and concerns of people affected by serious violence. The summit was held on Thursday, September 24, 2026, ahead of the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims. The Justice Department announced the event on September 25. Attorney General Todd Blanche gathered victims and survivor families for the summit, placing their experiences at the center of a Justice Department event focused specifically on violent crime victims. The event comes at a time when violent crime, public safety, victims rights, law enforcement, criminal justice and support for families remain important issues across the United States. For families who lose someone to murder or other violent crime, the impact can continue for years. It can affect emotional wellbeing, finances, employment, housing, relationships and a family’s sense of safety. The summit therefore represents more than a law enforcement meeting. It provides an opportunity for victims and survivor families to be heard directly by senior federal officials and to discuss the challenges that can arise after a violent crime. DOJ Summit Brings Victims and Survivor Families Together According to the Justice Department, Attorney General Todd Blanche brought victims and survivor families together at the first Attorney General’s Summit on Victims of Violent Crime. The event was organized ahead of the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims, which is observed on September 25. The Justice Department has a long history of recognizing the needs of crime victims and supporting programs designed to help victims and witnesses navigate the criminal justice system. The decision to hold a summit specifically focused on victims of violent crime places attention on an important part of the criminal justice system. When a violent crime occurs, public attention often focuses on the investigation, arrest, prosecution and punishment of the accused or convicted person. Victims and families, however, can face a different and much longer journey. They may need information about a criminal case. They may need assistance understanding court proceedings. They may need financial support. They may need help dealing with trauma. They may need assistance communicating with investigators and prosecutors. And families who lose loved ones may need support as they move through the grieving process. A national summit gives federal officials an opportunity to listen to these concerns and consider how government agencies and law enforcement partners can better respond.
Why Victims of Violent Crime Need Special Attention
Violent crime can produce consequences that go far beyond the immediate incident. A robbery, assault, homicide, domestic violence incident, kidnapping or other serious violent offense can change a victim’s life within minutes. For survivors, recovering from physical injuries can be only one part of the process. Many victims also face emotional and financial consequences. Medical treatment can become expensive. Time away from work can reduce household income. Families may need counseling or other services. In homicide cases, relatives may suddenly lose a parent, spouse, child or another important member of the family. The criminal justice process itself can also be difficult to understand. A victim may hear terms such as indictment, arraignment, plea agreement, sentencing, restitution and victim impact statement without having previous experience with the legal system. Victim assistance programs exist partly to help people understand these processes. The Justice Department has emphasized the importance of victim services throughout its history. Federal victim assistance programs have included services related to victim compensation, victim advocacy and assistance for people participating in criminal justice proceedings. Attorney General Todd Blanche and the Justice Department The summit was held under Attorney General Todd Blanche, who currently leads the U.S. Department of Justice. The Attorney General heads the Department of Justice and serves as the federal government's chief law enforcement officer. The office also represents the United States in legal matters and provides legal advice to the President and executive departments when requested. The Justice Department itself has a broad mission that includes upholding federal law, protecting public safety and protecting civil rights. The department works through multiple components, including federal law enforcement agencies, litigating divisions and U.S. Attorneys' Offices around the country. The DOJ currently has 94 U.S. Attorneys' Offices and provides billions of dollars in grants to state, local and Tribal partners. That nationwide structure matters when discussing violent crime because most violent crime cases are handled at the state or local level, while the federal government has jurisdiction over specific categories of crimes. The federal government can nevertheless support state, local and Tribal law enforcement through funding, training, investigative assistance, intelligence sharing and federal prosecutions where federal law applies. The Importance of Survivor Families One of the central features of the 2026 summit was the presence of survivor families. For families who have lost relatives to violent crime, the word victim can encompass more than the person directly attacked. A homicide, for example, can affect parents, children, spouses, siblings and other relatives. These families may spend years remembering their loved ones while also dealing with court proceedings and questions about the crime. The National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims has historically provided an opportunity to recognize those who have been killed and the families left behind. Justice Department victim resources identify September 25 as the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims. Holding the summit immediately before that day connects the government's discussion of violent crime with an occasion dedicated to remembering murder victims. What Does the Summit Mean for Crime Victims The significance of the summit is primarily in its focus. Rather than discussing violent crime only from the perspective of policing or prosecution, the summit puts victims and survivor families into the discussion. That matters because the criminal justice system has several different participants. There are investigators. There are prosecutors. There are defense attorneys. There are judges. There are corrections officials. There are victim advocates. And there are victims and families. Each group experiences the criminal justice process differently. A victim may be primarily concerned with safety, information, accountability, compensation or closure. Investigators may be focused on collecting evidence. Prosecutors may be focused on proving a case under applicable law. Courts must follow legal procedures and constitutional requirements. Victim advocates can help victims understand their rights and available services. A summit can bring these perspectives into the same conversation. Victim Rights in the Federal Criminal Justice System Victims of federal crime have specific rights under federal law. The Crime Victims' Rights Act is an important part of the federal victim rights framework. Among the protections associated with federal crime victims are rights relating to reasonable protection, notification of public court proceedings, participation in proceedings, consultation with the government's attorney and information about available services. Victims can also have opportunities to provide information to the court through victim impact statements during sentencing. The Justice Department has previously explained that federal victim rights include the ability of victims to participate meaningfully in criminal proceedings. These rights are important because victims are not simply observers of the criminal justice system. They can be directly affected by decisions made during an investigation and prosecution. Financial Problems After Violent Crime Another major issue for victims can be money. Violent crime can create immediate expenses. A victim may need emergency medical treatment. There may be transportation costs. There may be lost wages. A family may have to pay for funeral expenses after a homicide. In some situations, victims may also face long term medical or rehabilitation expenses. Crime victim compensation programs can help eligible victims with certain expenses, although eligibility and available benefits vary by state and program. The federal government also operates victim assistance programs and provides funding to states and other organizations. The Justice Department's victim services infrastructure is designed to support people affected by crime and help connect them with available resources. Emotional and Long Term Effects of Violent Crime Physical injuries may eventually heal, but the effects of violent crime can remain for a long time. A person who survives an assault may become afraid of returning to the location where the crime occurred. A family that loses someone to murder may continue to experience grief long after a criminal case ends. Children can also be affected when a parent or close relative becomes a victim. This is one reason victim support cannot always end when an investigation ends. The criminal case and the victim's recovery follow different timelines. A prosecution may take months or years. A family may continue to need assistance after sentencing. In some cases, victims need help even after an offender has been imprisoned. Victim services therefore involve more than helping someone report a crime. The Role of Victim Advocates Victim advocates can serve as an important bridge between victims and the criminal justice system. They can explain procedures in simple language. They can help victims understand what to expect during court proceedings. They can provide information about available services. They can help connect victims with organizations that provide counseling, shelter, transportation or financial assistance. For families unfamiliar with the justice system, this support can be particularly important. Federal and state victim assistance systems use advocates and victim witness coordinators to help people affected by crime. The Justice Department has historically recognized the importance of victim witness assistance. Past Justice Department materials describe victim witness coordinators and their role in helping victims following violent crime.
Violent Crime and Public Safety
Victim support is closely connected to public safety. People are more likely to cooperate with investigators when they believe the criminal justice system will treat them with respect. Victims may have important information about an offender, a criminal organization or the circumstances surrounding a crime. When victims feel ignored, they may become less willing to participate. When victims receive clear information and support, they can have a better understanding of the justice process. This does not mean that every case will produce the outcome a victim wants. The criminal justice system must operate according to evidence, law and constitutional protections. But providing information and support can help victims understand what is happening. DOJ and Violent Crime Reduction The Justice Department has organized several major initiatives and summits related to violent crime in previous years. For example, the department held a Violent Crime Reduction Summit in December 2023 under Attorney General Merrick Garland. That event focused on partnerships among federal, state, local and Tribal law enforcement agencies and communities. The Justice Department described partnerships as central to its violent crime reduction strategy. Earlier Justice Department initiatives have also emphasized that law enforcement alone cannot address every factor connected with violent crime. The 2022 National Summit to Reduce Violence and Strengthen Communities, for example, brought together law enforcement and community partners and discussed strategies involving prevention and community safety. The new 2026 summit is different in its stated emphasis because it specifically brings victims and survivor families together for an Attorney General's Summit on Victims of Violent Crime. Why Listening to Victims Matters One of the most important elements of any victim focused criminal justice policy is listening to people who have experienced crime. Government agencies can study crime statistics. They can review prosecution data. They can examine arrest numbers. They can analyze sentencing information. But statistics do not always show the complete human impact of violent crime. A statistic might record one homicide. A family experiences the loss of a person. A statistic might record one assault. A survivor may experience medical expenses, lost employment and fear. A statistic might record a robbery. A victim may spend months or years rebuilding a sense of security. Listening to victims helps policymakers and law enforcement understand these broader effects. The Role of Federal and Local Law Enforcement The United States has a large and decentralized criminal justice system. Police departments, sheriffs' offices, state agencies, prosecutors and courts handle most criminal matters under state law. Federal agencies handle crimes that fall under federal jurisdiction. The Justice Department works with law enforcement partners across different levels of government. The department says it has 94 U.S. Attorneys' Offices and provides substantial grant support to state, local and Tribal partners. This partnership model is important because violent crime does not stop at jurisdictional boundaries. Criminal organizations can operate across cities and states. Firearms can move across jurisdictions. Drug trafficking networks can involve multiple regions. Human trafficking and organized crime can cross state and international borders. Federal investigative and prosecutorial resources can therefore complement local law enforcement. The Connection Between Violent Crime and Communities Violent crime can affect entire neighborhoods. When people become afraid to walk outside, use public spaces or allow children to play outdoors, the impact reaches beyond individual victims. Communities may experience reduced trust. Businesses can be affected. Families may move away. People can become less willing to participate in community activities. Justice Department officials have previously described violent crime as a threat not only to physical safety but also to people's ability to live normal daily lives. That broader impact explains why violent crime prevention and victim services are both important parts of public safety discussions. What the Summit Could Mean for Future Victim Services The long term importance of the 2026 summit will depend on what follows the event. A summit itself does not automatically change federal law. It does not automatically change sentencing rules. It does not automatically create new victim compensation programs. Its value can come from the conversations, priorities and initiatives that emerge afterward. Future developments could involve changes in victim assistance, law enforcement coordination, federal grant programs, training or policies concerning victims and survivor families. The Justice Department's announcement should therefore be understood as an important event in the department's victim focused work, while specific future policy changes would need to be evaluated separately when they are officially announced. New Funding and the ANGEL Grant Program One concrete development announced around the summit was a new $25 million grant opportunity. The Justice Department announced the Assisting Neighborhoods and Governments with Enforcement of Laws grant program, known as ANGEL. According to the department, Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the funding opportunity at the first Attorney General's Summit on Victims of Violent Crime. The program is intended to support state, local and Tribal government activities involving identification, disruption and prevention of violent crime and coordinated intelligence led law enforcement operations. This is significant because grants can provide resources to agencies that may not have enough funding to expand specialized law enforcement operations. The announcement also demonstrates how victim focused discussions can be connected with broader public safety programs. Understanding the ANGEL Grant Carefully The ANGEL grant program should not be confused with a nationwide federal replacement for local policing. It is a grant opportunity. That means eligible government entities can seek funding for qualifying activities. The Justice Department says the program is intended to support state, local and Tribal governments in activities aimed at identifying, disrupting and preventing violent crime. The actual impact will depend on which agencies receive funding, how the money is used and what results are achieved. As with other government grants, implementation details matter. National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims The timing of the summit is also important. September 25 is the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims. The day provides an opportunity for families, communities and government organizations to remember people who lost their lives to homicide. Justice Department historical materials note that congressional resolutions established September 25 as the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims. Holding the summit immediately before the remembrance day gives the event a clear connection to the families who continue to live with the consequences of murder.
A Broader History of DOJ Victim Support
The 2026 summit is described by the Justice Department as the first Attorney General's Summit on Victims of Violent Crime. That does not mean the Justice Department has never held victim related events. The department has conducted numerous victim focused conferences, summits and programs over several decades. For example, Justice Department historical records describe a 1991 summit on violent crime that included significant attention to victims' concerns and rights. The department also held a National Symposium on Victims of Federal Crime in 1997 under Attorney General Janet Reno. This history shows that victim assistance has long been part of the federal criminal justice system. The 2026 event represents a new summit under the current Attorney General rather than the beginning of federal victim services. Why the Event Matters to Ordinary Americans For ordinary Americans, the subject may appear to be mainly about Washington and federal agencies. But the underlying issues are local. A violent crime can happen in a neighborhood, at a business, in a home, on a street or in another community setting. When it happens, victims and families often need immediate practical help. They may want to know who is investigating. They may want to know whether an arrest has been made. They may need information about court dates. They may need financial assistance. They may need protection. They may need counseling. They may simply need someone to explain what happens next. A victim centered criminal justice system attempts to address these needs while maintaining the legal rights of everyone involved in a criminal case. Victims and the Criminal Justice Process The criminal justice process can be complicated. A typical federal criminal case can involve investigation, charging, initial court appearances, discovery, plea negotiations, trial and sentencing. Not every case follows the same path. Some cases end through guilty pleas. Others proceed to trial. Some investigations never result in criminal charges. For victims, uncertainty can be difficult. Victim assistance professionals can help explain procedural developments without promising a particular outcome. This is important because victims deserve accurate information rather than unrealistic expectations. The Difference Between Justice and Victim Support Victim support and criminal punishment are related but different. A victim may want the offender prosecuted. But support for the victim should not depend entirely on whether prosecutors obtain a conviction. People can need medical assistance, counseling or financial support regardless of the final legal outcome. Similarly, a victim's participation in a case does not replace the responsibility of prosecutors to follow the law and evaluate evidence. The criminal justice system must balance many legal interests. Victim services exist to ensure that victims are not forgotten during that process. Technology and Modern Crime Investigations Modern violent crime investigations increasingly involve technology. Investigators may work with digital evidence, surveillance video, mobile phone information, social media records and other forms of electronic evidence. This can help investigators identify suspects and establish what happened. However, digital evidence can also raise privacy and legal questions. Federal investigators must operate within applicable laws and constitutional protections. For victims, technological evidence may sometimes provide important answers. In other cases, families may have questions about why certain evidence cannot be publicly released. Clear communication from investigators and prosecutors can help families understand these limitations. Community Trust and Victim Confidence Trust is an important part of effective law enforcement. Victims need confidence that their reports will be taken seriously. Witnesses need to feel safe when cooperating. Families need reliable information about criminal proceedings. Communities need to understand the role of law enforcement. Justice Department officials have repeatedly emphasized partnerships among federal agencies, local governments, law enforcement and communities as part of violent crime strategies. Victim centered programs can be part of that larger effort to build confidence in the criminal justice system. What Families Can Learn From Victim Assistance Programs Families affected by violent crime should know that victim assistance resources exist. Depending on the type of crime and jurisdiction, assistance can include victim advocates, compensation programs, counseling referrals, court information and other support. People should contact the law enforcement agency handling their case or the appropriate prosecutor's victim witness office to learn which services are available. For federal cases, the Justice Department and U.S. Attorneys' Offices can provide information about victim services and federal proceedings. Availability can differ from one case and jurisdiction to another. The Future of the DOJ Victim Summit The first Attorney General's Summit on Victims of Violent Crime could become part of a continuing conversation about how the federal government addresses violent crime and supports victims. The important question going forward will be whether the concerns raised by victims and survivor families lead to measurable improvements. Those improvements could involve better communication. They could involve stronger victim advocacy. They could involve additional resources. They could involve improved coordination among agencies. They could involve new approaches to preventing violent crime. The results should ultimately be measured through concrete actions rather than simply through the existence of a summit.
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