The National Organization for Victim Advocacy (NOVA) focuses on professional training, education and resources to support victim assistance providers working directly with victims and survivors in communities across the country. Unfortunately, we do not provide case management services, representation, financial assistance or legal advice to victims of crime. We can offer victim assistance information, local and state resources and referrals, including those listed below.
We are sorry that you are going through a difficult time. There are many capable and compassionate victim advocates in every state. Let us help you connect to victim services close to home.
We care about your safety and well-being. If you are in danger or need emergency assistance, please call 911 (United States) or your local authorities immediately.
If you or a loved one are in need of emotional first-aid please reach out to one of the following lifelines to speak with a crisis counselor 24/7. Click the name to learn more about the services provided and numbers for TTY users.
If you’re thinking about suicide or in crisis, call, chat or text 988 any time. For TTY Users: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.
https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/
24/7, confidential crisis support for Veterans and their loved ones. Call 988 then press 1, chat online or text 838255 for support.
800-422-4453
The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline is dedicated to the prevention of child abuse. Serving the U.S. and Canada, the hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with professional crisis counselors who—through interpreters—provide assistance in over 170 languages. The hotline offers crisis intervention, information, and referrals to thousands of emergency, social service, and support resources. All calls are confidential.
866-488-7386 / TrevorText: 678-678
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
The Trevor Project provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25 years of age. TrevorText gives everyone access to confidential text messaging with a compassionate Trevor Counselor available 24/7/365.
800-662-HELP (4357) / or TTY: 1-800-487-4889
http://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline (also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service) is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, treatment referral and information service, available in English and Spanish. The helpline is for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.
800-656-4673 / Ayuda por vía telefónica 800.656.4673 / Español: rainn.org/es
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE, online.rainn.org, y rainn.org/es) 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.
SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.
•Deaf/Hard of Hearing ASL users can call the DDH hotline via their videophone-enabled device or click on “ASL Now” at samhsa.gov/ddh to connect directly with DDH crisis counselors fluent in ASL.
Survivors of Mass Violence Support Group
Peer support for survivors of mass violence in the United States including mass shootings, terrorist attacks, or other large-scale community violence. DDH-trained Peer Supporters are available to listen to members and provide validation and encouragement. They also provide structured moderation to engage members in meaningful discussions on relevant topics and provide timely and trusted resources.
All Crime Types
Available weekdays from 9am-5pm EST, the VictimConnect Resource Center (VCRC) is a phone, chat, and text-based referral helpline operated by the National Center for Victims of Crime. Services are available for all victims of crime in the United States and its territories. Visitors to the hotline receive strength-based and trauma-informed services and referrals in over 200 languages.
800-422-4453
The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline is dedicated to the prevention of child abuse. Serving the U.S. and Canada, the hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with professional crisis counselors who—through interpreters—provide assistance in over 170 languages. The hotline offers crisis intervention, information, and referrals to thousands of emergency, social service, and support resources. All calls are confidential. A list of state child abuse and neglect reporting numbers can be found here.
800-843-5678
If you think you have seen a missing child, contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children 24-hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678). The Congressionally-authorized CyberTipline is a means for reporting crimes against children. Reports may be made 24-hours a day, 7 days a week online at www.cybertipline.com. Over the last 29 years, NCMEC’s national toll-free hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST® has handled more than 3.8 million calls. With help from corporate partners, NCMEC has circulated billions of photos of missing children, and employees have assisted law enforcement in the recovery of more than 188,000 missing children. Learn more by visiting the official NCMEC website at http://www.missingkids.com
800-633-5155
https://www.bia.gov/bia/ois/dhs/child-and-adult-protective-services
It is the policy of Indian Affairs (IA) to provide social services to improve the quality of life for eligible Indians and their families that live on or near Indian reservations and to protect the children, elderly and disabled from abuse and neglect. These services include, but are not limited to: assistance in solving problems related to family functioning and interpersonal relationships; referral to the appropriate resources for problems related to illness, physical or mental handicaps, drug abuse, alcoholism, and violation of the law; and protective services. The Secretary has selected Indian Affairs as its representative for these actions. Specifically, the Office of Indian Services, Division of Human Services has been assigned specific roles and responsibilities to carry out this function.
800-786-2929
NATIONAL RUNAWAY SAFELINE / 800-RUNAWAY (800-786-2929) / CALL 1-800-RUNAWAY / TEXT 66008
El National Runaway Safeline is the national communications system designated by the United States federal government for runaway and homeless youth, their parents and families, teens in crisis, and others who might benefit from its services. The National Runaway Safeline (NRS) is here to listen whether you are thinking of running away or already have. Their services are confidential and nonjudgmental. The 1-800-RUNAWAY hotline and 1800RUNAWAY.org online crisis services are available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year throughout the United States and its territories, including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam.
866-331-9474 / TTY Hotline 866-331-8453
El National Dating Abuse Helpline is the direct service provider behind loveisrespect.org, operating the 24/7 text, phone, and live chat services. The texting function of the Helpline allows for users to text the Helpline advocates 24 hours a day, seven days a week about anything ranging from questions about healthy dating to raising red flags about relationships.
844-878-2274
https://www.cybercivilrights.org
El CCRI Crisis Helpline was launched in October 2014 and has since served over 5,000 victims of nonconsensual pornography (NCP), recorded sexual assault (RSA), and sextortion. The CCRI Crisis Helpline provides information, guidance related to image documentation and takedown, referrals to attorneys, and emotional support to victims of NCP, RSA, and sextortion.
Fightcybercrime.org is a program created by the Cybercrime Support Network to provide assistance to both individual and small business cybercrime victims. Fightcybercrime.org will lead cybercrime victims through the Report, Recover and Reinforce process after an incident occurs.
800-799-7233 (Español: 1-800-942-6908)
NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE / 800-799-7233 (SAFE) or 800-787-3224 (TTY)
For anonymous, confidential help, 24/7, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY). If you are being abused by your partner, know there is nothing you have done or are doing to cause the abuse. It is solely the choice of the abuser to abuse.
SafePlaceforPets.Org is a directory of on-site housing and off-site housing for people with pets who need a safe escape from domestic violence.
844-762-8483
https://www.strongheartshelpline.org/
StrongHearts Native Helpline is a safe domestic, dating and sexual violence helpline for American Indians and Alaska Natives, offering anonymous and confidential, culturally-appropriate support and advocacy daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. CT.
800-903-0111 x1
Battered Women’s Justice Project is the national resource center on civil and criminal justice responses to intimate partner violence (IPV). In addition to their main office in Minneapolis, BWJP manages the National Center on Protection Orders and Full Faith and Credit, and partners with the National Clearinghouse for the Defense of Battered Women, which provides assistance to IPV victims charged with crimes and their defense teams.
Empowering victims of interpersonal & gender-based violence abroad Pathways to Safety International offers specialized safety planning and long-term case management for American overseas victims. Pathways to Safety International is currently unable to financially sustain operation of the 24/7 international crisis line. We will continue to provide information, support, and referral through email at [email protected]. Emails will be responded to within 72 hours.
The purpose of this Email Hotline is for WomensLaw to provide basic legal information, referrals, and emotional support related to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. All emails that involve legal content are answered by an attorney or answered by a law student volunteer and then reviewed by an attorney. However, we cannot provide legal advice or apply the law to your specific situation.
833-372-8311
https://stopelderfraud.ovc.ojp.gov
This National Elder Fraud Hotline is a free resource created by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office for Victims of Crime for people to report fraud against anyone age 60 or older. If you or someone you know has been a victim of elder fraud, help is standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline. Every day, 6:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. eastern time English/Español/Other languages available.
If you suspect elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation, call your state’s elder abuse hotline or reporting number.
888-234-7243
Provides a safe space that is anonymous and confidential where our senior callers can speak on many different issues and concerns including, but limited to, gender and/or sexuality identities, coming out issues, relationship concerns, work place and living condition issues, HIV/AIDS anxiety, safer sex information, suicide, isolation, community involvement and much more.
IdentityTheft.gov is the federal government’s one-stop resource for identity theft victims. The site provides streamlined checklists and sample letters to guide you through the recovery process.
http://www.usa.gov/stop-scams-frauds/
Report Suspected Tax Fraud. With so many kinds of scams and fraud, it’s hard to figure out where to report each type. Gather emails, receipts, and phone numbers so you’re prepared to complete your report. Use this information to learn where to report scams.
If you are at risk of or currently experiencing homelessness, the first step is to get in touch with the shelter system in your community. You may need to call a hotline or go to a community-designated organization for homeless services. Your community may have a “homeless hotline,” “2-1-1,” or other organization/agency that serves as the “front door” to receiving any kind of help.
If you are not homeless yet, it may be possible to avoid becoming homeless by finding out about prevention or emergency assistance programs in your area. Often these programs can help in paying rent, utilities, or bills. If you are homeless now, emergency assistance programs may help with health care, food, and temporary, transitional, or permanent housing.
877-623-3435
MADD‘s 24-Hour Victim Helpline Impacted by drunk or drugged driving? Get the help you need. The mission of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes, and prevent underage drinking.
888-818-7662
National Organization of Parents of Murdered Children provides the on-going emotional support needed to help parents and other survivors facilitate the reconstruction of a “new life” and to promote a healthy resolution. Not only does POMC help survivors deal with their acute grief but also helps with the criminal justice system. The staff of the National Headquarters of POMC will assist any survivor and if possible, link that survivor with others in the same vicinity who have survived their loved one’s murder.
It hurts to lose someone. Find help at GriefShare. GriefShare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone.
Warmlines give people support when you just want to talk to someone.
888-373-7888 / TTY: 711 / Chat / Text: 233733
https://humantraffickinghotline.org/
The National Human Trafficking Hotline connects victims and survivors of sex and labor trafficking with services and supports to get help and stay safe. The Trafficking Hotline also receives tips about potential situations of sex and labor trafficking and facilitates reporting that information to the appropriate authorities in certain cases. The toll-free phone and SMS text lines and live online chat function are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Help is available in English or Spanish, or in more than 200 additional languages through an on-call interpreter.
The NMVVRC advances understanding of the scope, nature, and mental health impact of exposure to mass violent crimes through ongoing research into best practices nationwide.
Resources for crisis responders, including tool kits, training and technical assistance, and tips on how to best help during a crisis.
800-656-4673 / Ayuda por vía telefónica 800.656.4673 / Español: rainn.org/es
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE, online.rainn.org, y rainn.org/es) 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 1in6 online support groups offer support to men in their journeys of trauma recovery, with a focus on education and mutual support. Each support group functions just like a chat room: choose an anonymous display name, enter the group, and start typing. There’s no audio or video, and no personal information is collected. A counselor is present to facilitate each session.
877-995-5247
DoD Safe Helpline is a secure, confidential, and anonymous crisis support service specially designed for members of the DoD community affected by sexual assault. Safe Helpline is available 24/7, worldwide. Safe Helpline staff provides live, one-on-one support to survivors, their families, and other DoD stakeholders. All Safe Helpline services are secure, confidential, anonymous, and available worldwide, providing survivors with the help they need, anytime, anywhere. Safe Helpline is operated by RAINN on behalf of the Department of Defense. RAINN is required to keep all interactions confidential, so no personally-identifying information will ever be shared with DoD or your chain of command.
877-739-3895 / TTY 717-909-0715
The National Sexual Violence Resource Center’s mission is to provide leadership in preventing and responding to sexual violence through collaboration, sharing and creating resources, and promoting research. There is a national network of community-based rape crisis centers and local organizations that support the needs of sexual assault survivors
These resources are to help you learn more about the services available to you and the civil or criminal justice process.
El VictimConnect Resource Center is a referral helpline where crime victims and survivors can learn about their rights and options. The VictimConnect website has information and resources for victims and survivors of crime, their families, and support networks. VictimConnect provides you with tools to learn more about a specific crime, make a safety plan, find out how to report a crime, and practice good self-care.
Call the VictimConnect Resource Center to speak with someone in English or Spanish between the hours of 8:30am and 7:30pm ET. If you speak another language, a Victim Assistance Specialist can connect you with a translator in over 200 different languages. Chat with a VictimConnect Victim Assistance Specialist on the online platform between the hours of 8:30m and 7:30pm ET.
https://www.usa.gov/report-crime
Find out how to report and respond to many types of crimes and criminal behavior. Visit USA.gov to learn more.
The National Crime Prevention Council’s mission is to be the nation’s leader in helping people keep themselves, their families, and their communities safe from crime. To achieve this, NCPC produces tools that communities can use to learn crime prevention strategies, engage community members, and coordinate with local agencies.
The Resource Center on Domestic Violence, Child Protection, and Custody has provided training and technical assistance to advocates, professionals, and communities seeking to improve outcomes in child protection and custody cases that involve domestic violence, while also leading policy reform in those areas. It operates an 800-line for survivors and professionals seeking information, referrals, research, and support.
800-843-5678 / TDD 800-826-7653
As the nation’s clearinghouse and comprehensive reporting center for all issues related to the prevention of and recovery from child victimization, NCMEC leads the fight against abduction, abuse, and exploitation – because every child deserves a safe childhood.
800-239-9950
https://www.nationalchildrensalliance.org
National Children’s Alliance (NCA) is a professional membership organization on a mission to keep children safe. Featuring the largest network of care centers support child abuse victims in the country, NCA is a model in outcome-driven collaboration. The Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs) that are our members offer high-quality care so abused children can thrive. At a CAC, a coordinated team of experts in medicine, law enforcement, victim advocacy, mental health, and other disciplines hold offenders accountable and help children and families heal in a comprehensive, seamless way so no future is out of reach.
https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/focus-areas/child-abuse-neglect
The National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information (NCCANCH) was established in 1974 by the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to collect, organize, and disseminate information on all aspects of child maltreatment.
Helping Crime Victims Pursue Civil Justice – The National Crime Victim Bar Association is an affiliate and program of the National Center for Victims of Crime. We are the nation’s first professional association of attorneys and expert witnesses dedicated to helping victims seek justice through the civil system.
NCVLI, a nonprofit based at Lewis & Clark Law School, fights for victims through legal advocacy, training and education, and public policy.
http://www.tribalresourcetool.org/
Tribal Resource Tool: Resources for Survivors of Crime and Abuse The Tribal Resource Tool is a searchable map of victim service programs for survivors of crime and abuse in Indian Country. Organizations that provide services to American Indians and Alaska Natives may submit a request for inclusion in the map.
https://ovc.ojp.gov/help-for-victims/overview
El Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) is committed to enhancing the Nation’s capacity to assist crime victims and to providing leadership in changing attitudes, policies, and practices to promote justice and healing for all victims of crime. Visit the OVC website to learn more about OVC
At VINELink, an Equifax company, we deliver “Knowledge for good.” As the nation’s most comprehensive, trusted source of risk and criminal justice intelligence, we provide breakthrough data and analytics solutions that help government agencies and commercial enterprises improve community safety and reduce people-based risk. VINE simplifies the offender tracking process for victims and the service providers that care for and support them. VINE gives victims the option to call a toll-free telephone number, visit https://www.vinelink.com, or use the VINELink™ mobile app to anonymously check on an inmate’s custody status.