Assistance for Victims of the Boston Marathon Bombings

During an informal ceremony, the FBI’s Evidence Response Team handed the crime scene area on Boylston Street back over to the city of Boston. Above, FBI Boston Special Agent in Charge Richard DesLauriers thanks personnel from several federal, state, and local agencies for their tireless work in the case.

Assistance for Victims of the Boston Marathon Bombings

The FBI is the lead law enforcement agency responsible for investigating the bombings at the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013. Crimes can have a devastating effect on victims and their families who may need assistance coping with the impact. Providing information and assistance to victims of the bombings is an important part of our work.

The FBI is legally mandated to identify victims of federal crimes that it investigates and provide these victims with information, assistance services, and resources. The FBI’s Office for Victim Assistance (OVA) is uniquely suited to provide emergency assistance to victims of domestic and international terrorism and mass violence crimes due to its national and international scope and extensive experience in responding to more than 13,000 victims of these crimes. 

If you were injured or witnessed the Boston Marathon bombings, you may be eligible for certain services and rights, including special funding to provide emergency assistance, crime victim compensation, and counseling. Additional information about these resources can be found at website links listed below. If you have not spoken to an FBI victim specialist, please contact the FBI Office for Victim Assistance atbostonmarathon.victimassistance@ic.fbi.gov or call the FBI Victim Assistance Call Center at 1-800-331-0075. 

Electronic Versions of Key Resources:

• Coping After Terrorism for Injured Survivors | (pdf)
  
• Practical Ideas for Coping with Trauma
• Help for Victims of Crime Brochure | (pdf)
• Description of the Federal Criminal Justice Process

For Children:

• Children and Youth-SAMHSA Disaster Behavioral Health Information Series Installment
• Parent Tips for Helping Preschool-Age Children After Disasters (pdf)
• Parent Tips for Helping School-Age Children After Disasters (pdf)
• Tips for Parents on Media Coverage (pdf)
• After a Crisis: Helping Young Children Heal (pdf)
• Talking to Children About the Bombings (pdf)
• Parent Guidelines for Helping Youth After the Bombings (pdf)

Additional Resources: 

• Massachusetts Crimes Compensation
• Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office
• Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance