Begin with immediate safety
If danger is continuing, contact 911 or move to a safer place if possible. Medical care, emergency shelter and crisis support may be more urgent than paperwork.
Agency victim services
Police departments, prosecutors and courts may have victim advocates who explain case processes, protective orders, notifications and available services. Ask the agency handling the report how to reach its victim-services unit.
State compensation programs
States operate victim-compensation programs under different eligibility, expense and deadline rules. These programs may assist with certain crime-related costs but require documentation and do not cover every loss. Use the state’s official program.
Confidential community support
Established nonprofit organizations may offer domestic-violence, sexual-assault, trafficking, child-advocacy, grief and mental-health support. Ask about confidentiality before sharing details, particularly when mandatory-reporting rules could apply.
Organize records without oversharing
Keep case numbers, advocate contacts, expense records and official correspondence together. Share sensitive information only with verified organizations that need it. MetroPD.org does not accept or store victim records.
National directory
The U.S. Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime provides a directory for locating services. Search the official OVC directory.