Victim Resources
VINE (Victim Information Notification Everyday): 1-800-770-0192
Ohio Attorney General's Office of Victim Services: 1-888-VICTIM4
(1-888-842-8464)
Ohio Victims of Crime
4545 Fisher Road
Columbus, Ohio 43228
Email: DRC.Victim.Services@odrc.state.oh.us
Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Witness/Victim Service Center:
Located at the Family Justice Center
75 Erieview Plaza, 5th Floor
(on E. 12th Street, just north of the Galleria)
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
(216) 443-7345
Crisis intervention, counseling, support, advocacy, information, and referral for victims of violent crimes.
Identity Theft Victims
What is identity theft? Identity theft is a crime. It occurs when someone uses your personal information without your knowledge or permission for financial or other gain. If you believe you have been a victim of identity theft, please call your local law enforcement agency and file a police report. This Information was provided by the Federal Trade Commission.
What to do right away:
- Call the companies where you know fraud occurred. Ask to speak with their fraud department and explain that someone stole your identity.
- Ask them to close or freeze the accounts.
- Change logins, passwords, and PINS for your accounts.
- Place a fraud alert on all of your financial accounts (i.e. credit cards, bank accounts, etc.)
- Contact one of the three credit bureaus listed below:
Equifax Website: 1-888-766-0008
Experian Website: 1-888-397-3742
Transunion Website: 1-800-680-7289
Get your free credit report immediately. Go to the Annual Credit Report Website or call 1-877-322-8228.
Crimes Involving Children
If you or someone you know has a child that was a victim, or witness, to any of the following, please contact 696-KIDS (216) 696-5437.
- Physical abuse and neglect
- Young children home alone
- Sexual abuse
- Suspicious child deaths
- Domestic violence in home with child present
Next Step Shelter (formerly Westhaven Youth Shelter): (216) 941-0063
Shelter and crisis counseling for youth.
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children: 1-800-THE-LOST / 1-800-843-5678
Domestic Violence Victims
What is domestic violence? According to the United States Department of Justice, domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain control over another intimate partner. Types of abuse could include physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, economic abuse, psychological abuse, threats, stalking, and cyberstalking.
If you, or someone you know, has been victimized by domestic violence, the following resources are available:
The Domestic Violence and Child Advocacy Center (DVCAC): (216) 391-HELP (4357)
Group and individual counseling for men and women escaping from a violent relationship. Providing shelter, support, advocacy, legal options for abused persons.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or 1-800-787-3224
TTY: 1−800−787−3224
Local domestic violence shelters have information on developing safety plans to assist in an emergency. The Ohio Attorney General's Crime Victim Section maintains a list of shelters that is available by calling (614) 466-5610 or (800) 582-2877. You can also email the Ohio Attorney General.
Sexual Assault Victims
What is sexual assault? Sexual assault is an act in which a person sexually touches another person without that person's consent, or coerces or physically forces a person to engage in a sexual act against their will.
1 in 5 women have been raped in their lifetime.
1 in 71 men have been raped in their lifetime.
You are not alone.
The Cleveland Rape Crisis Center: Call/text (216) 619-6192 or (440) 423-2020
24 hours. Free. Anonymous. To chat with a Cleveland Rape Crisis Center associate visit the Center's website.
Services offered include:
Counseling:
- The CRCC provides individual and group counseling services to children and adult survivors or rape and sexual abuse, as well as support services to partners, parents, and family members.
- Child and family services
- Support sessions
- Short-term counseling
Victim Assistance: The center provides information and support for survivors who are considering legal options or navigating the criminal justice process.
Project STAR: Through Project STAR: Sex Trafficking Advocacy and Recovery, the center provides expert, trauma-informed crisis intervention, victim assistance and counseling to survivors of sex trafficking.
Crimes Against the Elderly
Cuyahoga County Senior and Adult Services: (216) 420-6750
Elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation.