Resources

Services that are available to assist victims of crime, their friends and families.

If you are a victim of crime, or a friend or family member of a victim, it is important that you obtain accurate information regarding your rights and responsibilities, as well as what services are available to assist you.

Victims Resource Center started out as exactly that: a center where victims of crime could go to find out information on how to deal with their particular situation. Questions can be answered in a number of ways: by calling our 24-hour hotline number, viewing our website and clicking on selected topics, or by reading some of the many books available through your local VRC office.

We have provided an assortment of links and suggested reading materials that may be informative and helpful to you. Should you not be able to find what you are looking for, please contact one of our three offices.

Reading Material

View a complete list of suggested reading materials that may be informative and helpful to you.

Links

Several organizations have been formed in Pennsylvania and throughout the United States to assist victims of crime and their family members.

Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape

The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape works to eliminate all forms of sexual violence and to advocate for the rights and needs of victims of sexual assault. For teen support, see Teen Pcar

Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence

A private, nonprofit membership organization, PCADV is dedicated to ending domestic violence and helping battered women and their children re-establish physical, social, and economic dignity.

Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance

Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance, a national child abuse prevention and treatment program, was founded in 1970 by a mother who was frustrated as she searched for help for her family. This mother, working with her social worker, launched a national movement to bring help, support, strength and hope to millions of families all across America.

Rape Crisis Centers of Pennsylvania

This link will provide you with a list of locations throughout Pennsylvania for rape recovery help and information.

PA Commission on Crime and Deliquency

The mission of the PCCD is to serve as a catalyst for the prevention and reduction of crime and delinquency and to enhance the overall quality of justice for all Pennsylvanians.

Pennsylvania State Police

The Pennsylvania State Police utilizes this website as a means of communication to inform, educate and bolster communication and interaction with the public. This site contains numerous links to national crime prevention and victims’ rights websites.

Men Against Sexual Violence

Men Against Sexual Violence (or MASV), sponsored by the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, is a forum designed to engage males in actively working together with women to eliminate sexual violence. MASV will ask men to personally pledge to never commit, condone, or remain silent about sexual violence and to use their resources to support change.

The National Center for Victims of Crime

The National Center for Victims of Crime is the nation’s leading resource and advocacy organization dedicated to supporting crime victims and those who serve them.

National Sexual Violence Resource Center

Serving as a central clearinghouse for the voluminous resources and research, the NSVRC provides a place to turn to for information, help and support. The NSVRC will influence policy, practice and research by providing greater interaction, investigation and review, and by promoting awareness within the anti-sexual violence movement.

National Victims Assistance Academy

The National Victim Assistance Academy is funded and sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime in collaboration with a coordinated group of co-sponsors:

  • The Victims’ Assistance Legal Organization (VALOR)
  • Califonia State University-Fresno
  • The National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center at the Medical University of South Carolina
  • The University of New Haven, Center for the Study of Crime Victims’ Rights, Resources, and Remedies
  • Center on Violence and Victim Studies at Washburn University
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

NCADV works towards major societal changes necessary to eliminate both personal and societal violence against all women and children.

National Organization for Victim Assistance

The National Organization for Victim Assistance is a private, nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization of victim and witness assistance programs and practitioners, criminal justice agencies and professionals, mental health professionals, researchers, former victims and survivors, and others committed to the recognition and implementation of victim rights and services.

Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network

The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network is the nation’s largest anti-sexual assault organization and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1.800.656.HOPE. Comprised of more than 1,000 local affiliates, the hotline has helped more than half a million victims of sexual assault since 1994.