If you are a victim of a crime or know someone who is a crime victim, you probably are looking for support to mitigate the physical and emotional damage caused by the crime. This short guide presents several online resources that can help you learn more about how to cope with the aftermath of a crime.
Before we present the resources to help you recover from a crime, let’s review some of the possible negative effects of crime on victims.
You or a loved one might experience one or more of the following negative effects:
- One or more injuries
- Costs associated with replacing stolen items
- Emotional feelings of fear, anger, and/or depression
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Fewer social interactions because of anxiety
- Feeling of guilt that you should have done more to prevent the crime
Resources for Victims of Crime
The following resources can offer immediate assistance, with many of the websites providing a toll-free hotline number to call. Most of these resources have a national presence that can connect you with local resources that deliver more targeted assistance.
The National Center for Victims of Crime
The National Center for Victims of Crime remains the most comprehensive resource dedicated to promoting the legal rights of crime victims on a national level. This organization devotes its financial resources to helping crime victims recover from emotional scars. The National Center for Victims of Crime addresses all types of crime, not just one or two types of crimes.
Office for Victims of Crime
Office for Victims of Crime targets three different audiences: victims of crime, volunteers that help victims recover from crimes, and the providers of services that assist crime victims. Crime victims obtain access to a large number of websites, databases, hotlines, and publications that discuss recovery strategies.
National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA)
Considered the oldest crim victim assistance organization that operates at a national level in the United States, the National Organization for Victim Assistance advocates for crime victims through the judicial system. The organization also educates law enforcement agencies about the negative effects crimes have on victims, with an emphasis on violent crime topics. Crime victims receive recommendations on what services and resources to access that meet their specific assistance criteria.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline
Callers to The National Domestic Violence Hotline can expect to interact with highly-trained and experienced advocates that offer empathic support, as well as provide lifesaving tools that allow victims to live abuse-free lives. With referral services available in more than 200 languages, this organization crosses ethnic lines to help victims break free from abusive relationships.
National Human Trafficking Hotline
Recent publicity has shown the spotlight on the growing problem of human trafficking in the United States. The National Human Trafficking Hotline offers assistance to the survivors of human trafficking, while providing financial resources to anti-trafficking groups. Callers have access to credentialed professionals 24 hours per day, seven days a week. This is an especially valuable resource for callers to leave tips about the activities of human trafficking networks.
Accessing Online Resources for Crime Victims
If you are searching for online resources to help you recover from a crime, remember to build the utmost security and privacy for any electronic device you use to access digital information. Another security issue is the installation of GPS trackers and surveillance cameras inside of homes, phones, and automobiles. Ask for help from a certified online security consultant to enhance the security of your electronic devices.
Former criminal prosecutor Michael L. Fell and his team of crime victim rights advocates help guide clients through the physical and emotional recovery process. Contact Michael and his team today by submitting the online form or by calling 949-585-9055.
