Hotlines and Resources for Crime Victims

Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network: RAINN is the largest anti-sexual violence organization and leading authority on sexual violence, working together to provide services for survivors, inform and educate the nation about sexual violence, and improve the public policy and criminal justice response to sexual violence.

Victim Connect Resource Center: Referral helpline where crime victims can learn about their rights and options confidentially and compassionately | 1-855-4-VICTIM (1-855-484-2846)

National Domestic Violence Hotline: Provides tools and support that enable victims to find safety and live lives free of abuse. Hotline (1-800-799-7233) available in more than 20 languages.

California Victims of Crime Resource Center (VCRC): Located on the Pacific McGeorge School of Law campus in Sacramento, CA. VCRC provides a confidential hotline (1-800-VICTIMS) for information and referrals statewide to victims, their families, service providers, and advocates.

Crime Victim Compensation Program Initiative: Every state has a crime victim compensation program, with funds available to help crime victims recover from financial losses resulting from victimization. Factsheet available here.

Vera Institute of Justice: How Safe are Americans with Disabilities? Fact sheet and report about violent crimes and their implications.

Reporting to Police: A Guide for Victims of Sexual Abuse: Where and how a victim can report abuse.

Mandatory Reporting Laws

Most states have mandatory reporting laws for health care professionals which require reporting of specified injuries and suspected abuse that includes sexual assault or domestic violence. Laws vary from state to state.

RAINN: Mandatory Reporting Requirements for California: Information on reporting requirements.

California’s Domestic Violence & Mandatory Reporting Law: Requirements for health care practitioners, common questions, and answers on reporting requirements.

Reporting Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse: It is YOUR Duty: California’s Protection & Advocacy System Information on mandatory reporting.

Compendium of State Statutes and Policies on Domestic Violence and Health Care (2013): Provides a summary of state and U.S. territory laws, regulations, and other activities relevant to addressing domestic violence in health care settings.

Patient-Centered Communication

Patient-centered communication includes listening to, informing, and involving patients in their care.

Interviewing Victims of Sexual Assault as Part of Sex Offender Management: A guide for interviewing victims of crime.

U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs, Office for Victims of Crimes:. Techniques for interviewing victims with communication and/or cognitive disabilities.

Patient-Centered Communication Basic Skills: Communication skills needed by health care providers for patient-centered care.

Teach Back

The Teach Back method confirms whether a patient (or caretaker) understands what is explained to them.

Quick Guide to Health Literacy: Health Literacy Basics: Illustrates one of the pervasive problems in medicine: Americans’ low levels of health literacy (the ability to obtain, understand, and use health information).

The Teach-Back Method: Learn about Teach Back, a way to confirm that you have explained to the patient what they need to know in a way the patient understands.

Always Use Teach-Back: Toolkit to help health care providers learn to use Teach Back to support patients and families.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

AAC includes all forms of communication (other than oral speech) used for expression. It includes our facial expressions or gestures, use of symbols or pictures, and writing. People with severe speech or language difficulties rely on AAC to supplement existing speech or replace it altogether.

Types of AAC Systems, Devices, and Aides: A quick introduction to what AAC is, as well as types of AAC that are commonly used.

AAC Institute: Resources enhancing communication of people who rely on AAC through service delivery, research, activity organization, information dissemination, and education.

International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication: Provides awareness about how AAC helps individuals without speech by sharing information and promoting approaches to research, technology and literacy.

Sexual Violence and Abuse Prevention

The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) Library on Victims with Disabilities: Publications, forums, and other resources.

Disability & Abuse Project: National survey that focuses on incidents of, response to, and attitudes about crime victimization of children and adults with disabilities.

Crime Against Persons With Disabilities, 2009-2015: Infographic on crimes against people with disabilities.

Recognition of a Pattern, Call for a Response: The “Rule Out Abuse Campaign” calls for practitioners to pay closer attention to abuse as a possible cause when examining people with disabilities who have experienced significant changes in behavior.

Victimization of Persons with Traumatic Brain Injury or Other Disabilities: Fact sheet for professionals. 

Peer Advocacy

Abuse of People with Disabilities: A Silent Epidemic: A public service video to encourage people with disabilities to speak up about abuse.

Myths and Facts About Male Sexual Abuse and Assault: Cultural myths surrounding the sexual abuse and assault of boys and men can be serious obstacles to understanding and healing, so it’s important distinguish myth from fact.

Sexual Assault Against Men and Boys: Information from RAINN on basic facts around sexual assault of men and boys, as well as how to find help and support survivors.

Sexual Victimization of Men with Disabilities and Deaf Men: Men with disabilities experience victimization, including sexual violence, at rates higher than their counterparts without disabilities.

Peer-to-Peer: A written guide for a course to help self-advocates become peer supporters.

Real Talk: Improving Quality of Sexual Health Care for Patients with Disabilities. A guide for sexual and reproductive health providers about inclusion and accommodations when working with people with all types of disabilities.

A Letter for My Doctors: A fill-in the blanks tool to help self-advocates make their own health care decisions.