Specialized Crime Victim Assistance

Programs, usually provided by community agencies and independent of the police, that provide a variety of supportive services for victims of specific crimes and their families, particularly when related to family or sexual violence such as child abuse, sexual assault and elder abuse. Services may target specific groups such as children/youth, immigrants/refugees, Native Americans or other ethnospecific populations, and can include general emotional support, crisis counseling, and information about and assistance with police and court proceedings. Services may be available whether or not the victim has reported the crime to police.