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It is important to recognize that even the most careful person cannot prevent all crimes. If an offender is determined to commit a crime against someone, he can usually find someone to victimize. It is important not to blame anyone who becomes a crime victim, and to remember that it was not their fault. Even if the victim showed poor judgment in his behavior, the crime is still the offender’s fault.

Once a crime has happened, any victim or witness has the right to determine what to do. It is important that all victims/witnesses understand the seriousness of what has happened, and that what happened to them was wrong. They should also be informed of all of their options about reporting the crime and getting help.

Medical Care
The first step is to ensure physical safety and obtain medical care, if needed. If the victim has been physically injured, she may need basic first aid or professional medical treatment. Everyone should know how to call "911" or another emergency number to ask for an ambulance. The operator will make sure someone responds to any 911 call, even if nobody speaks or if they cannot speak clearly. Do not hang up!

Report The Crime
Physical safety also involves ensuring that the offender(s) cannot continue to hurt the victim or other people. The best way to do this is to call a law enforcement agency and report the crime. We have compiled information on the steps necessary to report a crime and that might address some of the concerns you have about reporting a crime.

After a Crime Is Reported
The officer should maintain contact with the victim to provide information about the progress of the investigation. If this does not happen, the victim can call the officer to ask about the investigation. The victim can also call the victim assistance program for this information.

If someone is arrested for the crime, the offender will be taken to the local jail temporarily. They may be allowed to get out of jail while they are waiting to find out if they must go to trial. If they are allowed to get out of jail, someone should inform the victim that the offender has been released, especially if the victim is afraid of retaliation.

After there has been an arrest, the case will go to the prosecutor’s office. This office is called different things in different communities. Sometimes, it is called the district attorney’s office, the state’s attorney’s office, or the solicitor general’s office. A prosecutor (the government lawyer for the people of that area) will be assigned to the case. The prosecutor will decide whether to take the offender to court for trial or handle it in some other way. Only about half of the cases that are brought to the prosecutor’s office are tried in court. Sometimes, a prosecutor will decide that there is not enough proof to take a case to court, or there will not be a trial because the offender pleads guilty, usually to get a lighter sentence (a "plea bargain").

The prosecutor’s office may have a victim assistance program. A victim advocate from that program can provide information about the prosecution process, crime victim rights, compensation and other services available to the victim, such as support groups.

If the offender is taken to court and is found guilty, the offender will be given a "sentence," which is an order to spend a certain amount of time in prison or doing service in the community or perhaps paying money directly to the court (fines) or to the victim (restitution). The department of corrections or the departments of probation or parole may also have a victim assistance program that can keep victims informed of the status of the offender (for example, letting the victim know when the offender will be released from prison).

When There is No Arrest
Even after a very thorough investigation, an offender may not be found, or there may not be enough proof to arrest anyone for committing the crime. When the officer is unable to find or arrest a suspect, it can be difficult for everyone, especially the victim. It is particularly difficult if the offender still has access to the victim, and the victim must have contact with that offender (for example, if the victim was assaulted by a bus driver and that person is not arrested, the victim may have to see that driver every day as she goes to work or school). There is often a sense that someone "got away with it" and that "there was no justice." However, even in such cases, victim advocates may still be able to provide a variety of services to help the victim (such as counseling or help applying for victim compensation funds).

Reporting an Abuse that is Not a Crime
As mentioned earlier, some abuse does not fall into the category of a "crime." But abuse of all types should be treated seriously by both the victim and by service providers, and should be reported to the proper authorities. There are several options to consider:

Child Protective Service agencies respond to cases of abuse against children, usually those under the age of 18. To find the Child Protective Service agency in any state, contact The National Association of Public Child Welfare Agencies, which administers the Child Protective Service agency programs, 810 First Street, N.W., Suite 500, Washington, D.C. 20002, 202-682-0100. Their Web site, at www.aphsa.org, provides links to each of these agencies as well as hotline numbers for each state. Another resource is the Child Welfare League of America, 440 First Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, 202-638-2952, www.cwla.org. The national number used to report abuse or crimes against children is 800-4-A-CHILD.

Adult Protective Service agencies respond to cases of abuse against adults, usually those over the age of 18 (or, in some cases, only those over the age of 60 or 65). To find the Adult Protective Service agency in any state, contact the National Association of Adult Protective Services Administrators, 901 North Scott Street, Wheaton, IL, 630-510-1192, 801-607-9118 (fax), www.naapsa.org.

Each state has a Protection and Advocacy Program to protect and advocate for the legal rights of people with mental retardation and related disabilities under all federal and state laws that may apply to their situation. To find the Protection and Advocacy Program in any state, contact the National Association of Protection & Advocacy Systems, 900 Second Street, N.E., Suite 211, Washington, D.C. 20002, 202-408-9514, 202-408-9520 (fax), 202-408-9521 (TDD), NAPAS@earthlink.net (email) or visit their Web site at www.protectionandadvocacy.com. These agencies are usually listed in the local phone book or their numbers can be obtained from the information operator.

It is important for victims or others who report suspected abuse to a protective service agency or to a protection and advocacy program to know that if the worker at that agency determines that a crime has been committed, a report will be made to the proper law enforcement agency. If the abuse is not a crime, the worker should be able to help the victim directly, without the involvement of law enforcement.

Record Keeping
The victim (or a trusted friend or service provider) should keep notes on:

• The crime or abuse that happened, including the date, the time and the location
• The name of the law enforcement officer or protective agency worker who responds
• The report or case number
• The name of the prosecutor assigned to the case
• The name of any victim advocate who works with the victim
• The names of any programs the victim is referred to, along with their phone numbers and any other information that seems important

More Help For Victims

Main NOVA Victim Information Section

How to Get Help After a Vicitmization Main Page

Crime Prevention

What is a Crime

Who is a Crime Victim

The Four Injuries

After a Crime Occurs

The Trauma of Victimization

Where to Find Help

Criminal Justice Terms Glossary

Other Resources: Links, Phone Numbers, and Readings