Virginia Victim Witness Assistance Network
The Virginia Victim Assistance Network (VVWAN) is a statewide non-profit organization with the mission to be a voice for crime victims and a resource for the providers who assist them. As a victim or witness of crime, the VVWAN can help you understand your rights and navigate the criminal justice system. Their ultimate aim is to ensure that all crime victims have access to the resources they need to recover and heal.
- Victim Assist Helpline:
- 1-855-4-HELP-VA (855-443-5782)
- Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-4:30 pm
- Get information and referrals to victims of all types of crime in VA. Learn about victim rights under the Crime Victim and Witness Rights Act and other victim-related laws. Receive crisis intervention as needed.
- Human Trafficking Infoline: 1-833-INFO-4-HT (833-463-6448)
- Homicide Survivor Support Groups
Winchester Victim/Witness Assistance
Sexual and Domestic Violence
Source: Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance
Have you been hurt, abused, or felt controlled? Are you a friend, family member, or professional wondering how to help someone who has been hurt? Do you want to know more about sexual assault, stalking, controlling behavior, or making a report? Contact the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance.
The Alliance says: "Confidentiality is important. We do not record hotline calls and are not mandated reporters in Virginia. We do not share any information with others (like 911 or outside service providers) without your consent. Because we are a confidential hotline (with the ability for people to be anonymous) and want to uphold safety and security standards, advocates cannot confirm contacts, reach out to anyone without their consent, or be requested in court."
Virginia Statewide Hotline
The Virginia Statewide Hotline is a space where survivors and people impacted by violence, like friends, family, professionals, and the general public, can connect with trained advocates for support and connection to resources in your area. Free, confidential and available 24/7/365.
Chat*: Click here (confidential)
Text: 804-793-9999
Helpline: 800-838-8238
*Chat feature works best on a computer or tablet.
LGBTQ+ Helpline
This Partner Abuse and Sexual Assault Helpline focuses on anti-violence in the LGBTQ+ community. It is also a space where survivors and people impacted by violence, like friends, family, professionals, and the general public, can connect with trained advocates for support and connection to resources in your area. They work closely with the Virginia Anti-Violence Project, whose mission is to address and prevent violence within and against LGBTQ+ communities across VA. The helpline is free, confidential and available 24/7/365.
Chat*: Click here (confidential)
Text: 804-793-9999
Helpline: 866-356-6998
*Chat feature works best on a computer or tablet.
PREA Hotline
The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) hotline is staffed by the statewide hotline. We provide emotional support, reporting services, and connections to advocates for hospital accompaniment. This is an option for adults in state facilities** who have or are experiencing sexual assault or sexual harassment while in the care of the Virginia Department of Corrections. Free, confidential and available 24/7/365.
Chat*: Click here (confidential)
Text: 804-793-9999
Reporting Hotline: 855-602-7001
Write: Action Alliance, P.O. Box 17115, Richmond, VA 23226
Email: PREAGrievance@vadoc.virginia.gov
*Chat feature works best on a computer or tablet.
**Local/regional jails and youth/young adult facilities often have direct relationships with their local sexual violence agency. PREA hotline staff can help connect you to the appropriate resource.
Latinos in Virginia: Empowerment Center Helpline | Latinos en Virginia: Centro De Empoderamiento Línea de Ayuda
Source: Virginia Department of Corrections/Community Resources
People affected by violence who require services in Spanish are able to call 24 hours a day, from anywhere in the state. All services for are free and confidential.
Las personas afectadas por violencia que requieran servicios en español podrán llamar las 24 horas del día, desde cualquier parte del estado. Todos los servicios de Latinos en Virginia Centro de Empoderamiento son gratuitos y confidenciales.
Helpline: 888-969-1825
Directory of Crime Victim Services
Source: Office for Victims of Crime
The Directory of Crime Victim Services helps users locate victim services in the United States and other countries. Use the search filters below to locate victim service providers by:
- location
- type of victimization
- service provided
National Elder Fraud Hotline
Source: Office for Victims of Crime
If you or someone you know has been a victim of elder financial fraud, help is available through the National Elder Fraud Hotline. Free resource created by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Victims of Crime for people to report fraud against anyone age 60+.
Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311)
Available Monday-Friday, 10 am-6 pm EST
English/Español/Other languages available
Child Victims and Witnesses Support Materials
Source: Office for Victims of Crime
For children, participating in the justice system as a victim or witness can be especially confusing, distressing, and even re-traumatizing. Child Victims and Witnesses Support Materials was created to support children and youth during their involvement with the justice system as a victim or witness to a crime.
For each age group (ages 2–6, ages 7–12, and ages 13–18), there are materials about the criminal justice system and the child welfare system. The goal of these materials is to provide effective, trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate information and support to children in a way that they can more easily understand, so they can feel informed, supported, and empowered.
Hate Crimes
Source: Office for Victims of Crime
A hate crime is defined as a criminal offense committed against a person, property, or society that is motivated, in whole, or in part, by the offender's bias against a race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or ethnicity. Visit the U.S. Department of Justice website to learn more about hate crimes, prevention and resources.
More Resources
Visit the Office for Victims of Crime's website to learn more about the following topics:
- Fraud
- Homicide Victims/Co-Survivors
- Human Trafficking (National Hotline: 1-888-373-7888)
- Identity Theft
- Intimate Partner Violence
- Sexual Assault
- Stalking
- Terrorism and Mass Violence