Victim Resources

If you have been a victim of a crime or experienced a traumatic event, visit the resources below to explore available support options.

Members of the public can use the online Police Officer Complaint Form to report police misconduct to the POST Commission.

The Massachusetts Office of Victim Assistance (MOVA) offers free and accessible services to help victims and families recover from violent crimes. Their online resource, AskMOVA, connects victims, survivors, and service providers with local support services that are convenient, safe, and accessible.
The Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) and The Massachusetts Department of Correction provide a confidential notification service for crime victims or those affected by a crime. Register to receive updates about an offender and access their criminal record. The offender will not be notified of your registration.

The Victim Compensation and Assistance Division of The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office offers help for victims of violent crimes and their families and aims to alleviate additional financial burdens on those affected. Apply to the Victim Compensation Fund for financial support for expenses such as medical and dental care, psychological help, and income loss due to disability. Fund applications are available in six languages.

The Massachusetts Department of Mental Health provides access to services and supports to meet the mental health needs of individuals of all ages, enabling them to live, work and participate in their communities. If you or someone you know is looking for support, you can find 24/7 crisis support, community behavioral health centers, and many other resources.
Massachusetts Substance Abuse Helpline specialists are available to help. Call 800-327-5050 or text “Hope” to 800327.
The Massachusetts Behavioral Helpline at 833-773-BHHL (2445) offers help with mental health or substance use.
The National 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline service is free, confidential, and available to provide support. Talking to someone can save your life.
If you are a law enforcement officer, your agency or union might also have resources available.

The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination offers resources for victims wishing to file a discrimination complaint or find a lawyer to discuss potential discriminatory conduct.

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services offers two types of visas for victims of certain alleged crimes and their qualifying family members:

T visas, which are offered to victims of severe forms of human trafficking, and
U visas, which are offered to victims of certain crimes, including domestic violence, sexual assault, hate crimes, human trafficking, involuntary servitude, and other serious offenses.

T and U visas may provide protection from deportation and eligibility for work authorization, as well as a waiver for most immigration violations.
To be eligible, victims should receive certification from a qualifying agency by completing either a I-914B form (for T visas) or a I-918 form (for U visas). Police departments involved in the investigation of a crime can provide these certifications in accordance with M.G.L. c. 258F.
Information on finding legal assistance and avoiding immigration scams can be found through the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office. Other resources can be found through the Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants.