Where to Find Help :: National Organization for Victim Assistance® (NOVA) ::

There are crime victim assistance programs throughout the United States. Finding the most appropriate program may involve calling several different numbers. It is important not to give up easily. NOVA maintains a list of phone numbers, websites, and resources available here, of various assistance organizations.

System-Based Victim Assistance Programs
The easiest way to find out is if there is a victim assistance program in the local law enforcement agency is to ask the officer who takes the crime report if their agency has such a program. If so, ask the officer to contact the victim assistance program, or ask for the phone number of the program so the victim (or a trusted friend) can contact the program directly. If there is no victim assistance program in the law enforcement agency, ask the officer for community-based referrals.

The victim (or a trusted friend) can also contact the local prosecutor�s office. Ask to speak to a victim advocate, who can either provide services to the victim directly, or may refer the victim to a different program. If an offender is arrested for the crime, the victim assistance program in the prosecutor�s office will be able to help the victim as the case is prosecuted (being tried in court or handled in some other way).

If an offender has been found guilty (convicted) of a crime against the victim, the victim may want to know what happened to the offender. Often, a victim will feel safer if she knows that the offender cannot hurt her again. For example, the victim may want to know when the offender is let out of jail or prison. If the offender is on probation (has to report to a probation officer on a regular basis), the victim may want information about when probation will be completed and what are the conditions (rules) of the probation. Many departments of correction and many departments of parole and probation have a victim assistance program that can provide this kind of information.

A crime victim who contacts a system-based victim assistance program should ask that a victim advocate from that program be assigned to the case to help him.

If a crime occurs that breaks a federal law, federal law enforcement will investigate the crime (for example, the Federal Bureau of Investigation) and the case will be prosecuted by a federal prosecutor (a U.S. Attorney). Federal agencies have Federal Victim Witness Coordinators who can help victims.

Community-Based Victim Assistance Programs
The easiest way to find a community-based victim assistance program is to call the National Crime Victim Information and Referral Hotline, operated by the National Organization for Victim Assistance. The toll-free number is 800-879-6682 (voice 24 hours a day; TTY Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time).

There are other toll-free national numbers that may also be useful. An extensive list of such numbers (and Web sites) is included elsewhere in this NOVA web site.

Phone Books
Many victim assistance programs are listed in the local phone book. Some may be listed in the front of the White Pages in the �Community Services� section. Others may be found under a variety of headings in the Yellow Pages. Programs operated by city, county and state governments may be listed in the Blue Pages.

Local Libraries
Many libraries have information about community service agencies. In addition, the local library will usually have books and magazine articles related to various types of victimization. Some are written by professionals and others are written by crime victims themselves. A librarian can help to find the most appropriate reading material. Often, reading about and learning how other crime victims have coped with their victimization can help a crime victim to figure out how she, too, can get through a very difficult time in her life.

Recap
Generally, the order in which people respond to help a crime victim is similar from one jurisdiction to another.

Emergency Medical
Law Enforcement
Protective Service Agency Workers
They address physical safety issues, medical care needs and begin the investigation.

Crisis Interveners
Victim Advocates
Other Advocates (i.e., Social Service Agencies)
They address emotional support issues, ensure that appropriate referrals are made so the victim�s needs are met and ensure that a victim receives the legal rights to which he or she is entitled.

Post-Trauma Counselors
Victim Advocates
Other Advocates (i.e., Social Service Agencies)
They address long-term stress reactions and other needs of a crime victim.