Websites and articles for people looking for help related to abuse and other crimes.
Updated 5/16/2024
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If you think or know that someone has committed a crime against you or someone you care about, you might be looking for guidance. On this page, you'll find links to organizations that assist victims and articles that explain potentially relevant areas of law.
If, at any time, you feel that you are in immediate danger, call 911. If you're not currently experiencing an emergency, you can reach out to your local police department to report a crime or get help. If you're being treated for injuries resulting from an assault, you can tell a medical professional that you want to report a crime.
Articles on Victims' Rights and Options
We have several articles that discuss the law as it applies to victims or potential victims of crime. One or more of the pieces here might offer insight into the circumstances you or someone you care about face. To help you find articles relevant to your situation, we've organized them by issue area. Use the click-down arrows to find links to relevant articles. To jump down to the list of organizations that assist victims, click here.
Pressing Charges for a Criminal Act
An explanation of how to go about pressing and filing criminal charges against someone.
The VINE Network: An Automated Victim Notification and Information System
Learn how the VINE ("Victim Information and Notification Everyday") network keeps victims and concerned citizens abreast of offender status and location.
Marsy's Law represents a nationwide campaign that seeks to place crime victim rights in state constitutions. Learn more about the law and what it means for crime victims.
Victims' Rights at Trial and Sentencing
Every state has a victims' rights statute or a state constitutional provision that provides crime victims with certain rights (some have both).
Restitution Law for Victims of Crime
Restitution is designed to compensate crime victims for their losses. Learn how restitution works—from qualifying victims to covered expenses.
Divorce Involving Domestic Violence
Learn about divorce and domestic violence, including protecting yourself when leaving an abusive relationship, applying for a restraining order, and dealing with violence in the family.
Domestic Violence Laws and Penalties
Domestic violence laws punish acts or threats of violence committed by family or household members, dating partners, and others currently or formerly involved in intimate relationships.
What Is a Restraining or Protective Order?
Restraining orders aim to keep aggressors away from their victims or would-be victims.
How to Get a Restraining Order
The process for obtaining a restraining order varies from state to state but the same general steps apply everywhere.
Animal Cruelty and Domestic Violence: Can You Protect Pets From Your Abuser?
In most states, domestic violence victims can get court orders to prohibit abusers from hurting their pets. Laws in some states help victims gain possession of the animal.
Red Flag Laws: When Someone Poses a Risk of Gun Violence
Learn about red flag laws and how to get an extreme risk protection order to disarm someone who poses a serious risk of gun violence.
California State Laws on Time Off From Work Due to Domestic Violence and Other Rights
California employees who face domestic violence might be entitled to accommodations and time off work. Learn what type of accommodations may be available.
Time Off Work for Domestic Violence
Information on topics such as taking time off work, collecting unemployment benefits, and seeking assistance from employers (including accommodations and restraining orders).
Legal Protections for Tenants Who Are Victims of Domestic Violence
Your state law might give victims of domestic violence the right to move out early.
VAWA Protection for Abused Spouses and Children
VAWA created a means for the immigrant spouse or child to "self petition" for a green card or otherwise take control of the process at a later phase—provided that the immigrant is able to prove the history of abuse.
Filling Out Form I-751 With a Waiver Based on Abuse or Battering
How a conditional resident can apply for permanent residence without the help of an abusive spouse.
If I Report My Permanent Resident Spouse for Domestic Violence, Will He Get Deported?
How to protect yourself when dealing with a complex legal situation.
Claiming Asylum Based on Domestic Violence
If you were a victim of domestic violence in your country of origin, you may, under limited circumstances, be eligible for asylum. Whether your children can be included in an asylum application depends on their age, marital status, and location.
Provides a look at a parent or guardian's legal options in the civil court system when a child has been the victim of sexual abuse.
Bullying and Harassment at School
What can parents do if their children are being bullied at school, on social media, or through texts? When is bullying or cyberbullying a crime?
Learn about the prevalence of elder abuse in nursing homes and what you can do about it.
Elder Abuse: Financial Scams Against Seniors
Senior citizen fraud can damage an elderly person's financial stability.
Elder Financial Abuse: Power of Attorney Scams
Power-of-attorney scams are one of the most common forms of elder financial abuse.
Elder Abuse Crimes and Penalties
The abuse of the elderly runs the gamut from financial scams and physical neglect to serious assaults and sexual abuse.
Ten Signs You're a Victim of Identity Theft
Your first step in recovering from identity theft is recognizing the warning signs.
How to Respond When Your Information Has Been Revealed Online
The law gives victims many tools to respond to doxxing.
Workplace Violence Victims ↓
Workplace Violence and Workers' Compensation
Learn what to do if you were the victim of workplace violence, and when you can sue your employer or get workers' comp benefits.
Workplace Violence: Understand and Avoid It
Facts about violence in the workplace and safety tips for employees.
Red Flag Laws: When Someone Poses a Risk of Gun Violence
Learn about red flag laws and how to get an extreme risk protection order to disarm someone who poses a serious risk of gun violence.
Organizations and Websites That Can Help Victims
Some organizations and government units exist to help victims of abuse and other crimes, both short- and long-term. These resources can be the best way for people to find assistance. Consider whether any of the websites listed here might apply to your situation, and note that some of them offer immediate help, like a hotline number to call. These are mostly national organizations, but they can often connect you with local resources. You might also be able to find state or local resources through an internet search.
| Organization | Overview |
| The National Center for Victims of Crime | "The mission of the National Center for Victims of Crime is to forge a national commitment to help victims of crime rebuild their lives. We are dedicated to serving individuals, families, and communities harmed by crime." |
| Office for Victims of Crime | "If you or your loved one is a victim of crime, help is available. Our site has resources to help you, including toll free hotlines and information about services in your state/territory." |
| Victim Connect | "The VictimConnect Resource Center is a referral helpline where crime victims can learn about their rights and options confidentially and compassionately." |
| Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) | "RAINN...is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization...[It] operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline...in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense." |
| The National Domestic Violence Hotline | "Some people who reach out to us identify as survivors of abuse, some as concerned friends or family members, and some as abusive partners seeking to change themselves...Our services are always free and available 24/7...[C]allers can speak with our advocates in over 140 languages." |
| Love is respect | "We offer confidential support for teens, young adults, and their loved ones seeking help, resources, or information related to healthy relationships and dating abuse." |
| StrongHearts Native Helpline | "StrongHearts Native Helpline...is a 24/7 safe, confidential and anonymous domestic and sexual violence helpline for Native Americans and Alaska Natives, offering culturally appropriate support and advocacy." |
| DomesticShelters.org | "DomesticShelters.org makes it simple to find the services and resources that victims and survivors of domestic violence need. We provide the largest searchable database of programs and shelters in the U.S. and Canada." |
| National Human Trafficking Hotline | "The National Human Trafficking Hotline is a national anti-trafficking hotline serving victims and survivors of human trafficking and the anti-trafficking community in the United States. The toll-free hotline is available to answer calls from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day...in more than 200 languages." |
| Immigration Advocates Network | "The Immigration Advocates Network (IAN)...is dedicated to expanding access to immigration legal resources and information...[S]earch for immigration legal services providers by state, county, or detention facility. Only nonprofit organizations that provide free or low-cost immigration legal services are included in this directory." |
| "The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) serves as a national resource center dedicated to the prevention of elder mistreatment." The NCEA has resources and information for help with abuse. | |
| PCA America is "dedicated to promoting services that improve child well-being in all 50 states and developing programs that help to prevent all types of abuse and neglect." The organization lists emergency contacts for child abuse and related issues. | |
| "The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline Crisis counselors are here to support those concerned about or affected by child abuse...[it] is a safe, nonjudgmental and inclusive space...and has a database of over 10,000 national, local, and international resources." | |
| Stomp Out Bullying | "The STOMP Out Bullying® Live HelpChat Crisis Line is a free and confidential online chat that helps youth ages 13-24 with issues around bullying and cyberbullying, as well as providing support to youths who may be at risk for suicide." |
| The Trevor Project | "The Trevor Project is the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization for LGBTQ+ young people. We provide information and support to LGBTQ+ young people 24/7, all year round." |
| 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline | "The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States." |
| Veterans Crisis Line | "The Veterans Crisis Line serves Veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and those who support them...You don't have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to call." |
| National Association of Crime Victim Compensation Boards | "Crime victim compensation programs across the country offer financial assistance to victims of violence. This [website] provides information on how [state] programs operate and what victims can do to seek help." |
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