How We Can Help You
The Norman Police Department Victim Advocate works with individuals affected by crime, aiming to empower them through comprehensive information, resources, and community support. Our advocates tailor our services and referrals to meet the unique needs of each victim and may include:
- Information and referral to appropriate service providers
- Emotional support
- Financial assistance
- Information on the status of a case
- Notification of victim rights
- Support and advocacy through the criminal justice process
- Safety planning
- Assistance with evidence return
Crime Victim Rights Information
As a victim of a crime, pursuant to the Oklahoma Constitution, Article 2, § 34, you have certain rights. These rights are as follows:
- The right to request that charges be pressed against your assailant.
- The right to request protection from any harm or threat of harm arising out of your cooperation with law enforcement and prosecution efforts, as far as facilities are available, and to be provided with information on the level of protection available.
- The right to be informed of financial assistance and other social services available as a result of being a victim, including information on how to apply for the assistance and services.
- Victims of domestic abuse have the right to file a petition for a Protective Order, or when the domestic violence occurs when the Court is not open for business, to request an Emergency Temporary Ex-Parte Protective Order.
- Victims of sexual assault, rape, or forcible sodomy have the right to a free examination for the procurement of evidence to aid in the prosecution of your assailant. 6. The right to be informed by the District Attorney of other victim’s rights available pursuant to Section 215.33 of Title 19 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
- For a complete list of your rights as a victim of crime, or for more information, please visit the Oklahoma Attorney General's website and resources.
Resources
Domestic Violence Resources
Women's Resource Center - Norman
Women’s Resource Center provides a variety of resources for victims of domestic violence, stalking, and/or sexual assault. Domestic violence resources include:
- 24-Hour Crisis Line
- Emergency shelter for domestic violence and/or sexual assault victims
- Safety Planning
- Emergency Protective Orders
- Court Advocacy
- Counseling
- Domestic Violence Education Groups
- Prevention Education
- Sexual Violence Forensic Exams
- Domestic Violence Forensic Exams
- Sexual Assault Support Groups
To reach the Women’s Resource Center for counseling services, education groups, or more information about their resources, please call their Community Office at 405-364-9424. For WRC’s Domestic Violence Emergency Shelter, please call 405-701-5540.
Safeline
Safeline is a national toll-free hotline available for anyone who may be in an abusive relationship or has been sexually assaulted seeking help or information in Oklahoma. This hotline offers confidential calls with trained advocates who understand the issues of domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault. These individuals can assist in safety planning and provide referrals to Oklahoma crisis centers, shelters, and other resources. Call toll-free at 1-800-522-7233.
Palomar - Oklahoma City
Palomar is a family justice center who collaborates with partner organizations to provide wraparound services to victims of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, stalking, elder abuse, and human trafficking. Many of their partner organizations have offices in the Palomar building, therefore you can receive services from various agencies at one location. Available services include:
- Counseling
- Family Services
- Legal Services
- Animal Advocacy Programs
- Holistic Healing
- Housing and Financial Assistance
For more information on Palomar or to schedule an appointment, call 405-552-1010 or visit palomarokc.org.
YWCA - Oklahoma City
The YWCA OKC is an agency who’s mission is to provide hope and care to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking in central Oklahoma. YWCA has a variety of services available, free of charge, including:
- Crisis Hotlines
- Advocacy through medical, legal, educational, and social service systems
- Emergency shelter for domestic violence victims
- Domestic violence exams with forensic nurses
- Individual and group counseling for adults and children
- Job training, financial literacy, and employment readiness
- Educational programs aimed to prevent dating and sexual violence for young people
To request emergency shelter or assistance, call their 24-hour domestic violence hotline at 405-917-9922.
For more information on the YWCA OKC, visit ywcaokc.org.
La Luz
La Luz is an organization that strives to increase awareness of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and to eliminate machismo. This organization provides services for Latino victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking that are confidential, free, and culturally and linguistically trauma-informed. These services include:
- Advocacy, such as safety planning, crisis intervention, and a 24-hour helpline in Spanish
- Mental Health services such as support groups, survivor-led groups, and trauma-focused counseling
For emergency resources, call their 24-hour crisis line at 405-812-0762.
For non-emergency resources, call 405-724-8474.
For more information on La Luz, visit laluzokc.org.
Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma Domestic Violence and Family Services
The Absentee Shawnee Tribe Domestic Violence Department provides free, confidential services to both tribal members and non-tribal members who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and dating violence within Pottawatomie, Cleveland, and Oklahoma Counties. These services include:
- Victim/Survivor Advocacy
- Housing and Utility Assistance
- Court Advocacy
- Referral Assistance
- Shelter Placement Assistance
For more information or to complete an intake form for services, visit astribe.com/domestic-violence.
To contact the Domestic Violence Department, call 405-273-2888.
Sexual Assault Resources
Women's Resource Center - Norman
Women’s Resource Center provides a variety of resources for victims of domestic violence, stalking, and/or sexual assault. Domestic violence resources include:
- 24-Hour Crisis Line
- Emergency shelter for domestic violence and/or sexual assault victims
- Safety Planning
- Emergency Protective Orders
- Court Advocacy
- Counseling
- Domestic Violence Education Groups
- Prevention Education
- Sexual Violence Forensic Exams
- Domestic Violence Forensic Exams
- Sexual Assault Support Groups
To reach the Women’s Resource Center for counseling services, education groups, or more information about their resources, please call their Community Office at 405-364-9424. For WRC’s Domestic Violence Emergency Shelter, please call 405-701-5540.
Palomar - Oklahoma City
Palomar is a family justice center who collaborates with partner organizations to provide wraparound services to victims of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, stalking, elder abuse, and human trafficking. Many of their partner organizations have offices in the Palomar building, therefore you can receive services from various agencies at one location. Available services include:
- Counseling
- Family Services
- Legal Services
- Animal Advocacy Programs
- Holistic Healing
- Housing and Financial Assistance
For more information on Palomar or to schedule an appointment, call 405-552-1010 or visit palomarokc.org.
YWCA - Oklahoma City
The YWCA OKC is an agency who’s mission is to provide hope and care to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking in central Oklahoma. YWCA has a variety of services available, free of charge, including:
- Crisis Hotlines
- Advocacy through medical, legal, educational, and social service systems
- Emergency shelter for domestic violence victims
- Domestic violence exams with forensic nurses
- Individual and group counseling for adults and children
- Job training, financial literacy, and employment readiness
- Educational programs aimed to prevent dating and sexual violence for young people
To request emergency shelter or assistance, call their 24-hour domestic violence hotline at 405-917-9922.
For more information on the YWCA OKC, visit ywcaokc.org.
La Luz
La Luz is an organization that strives to increase awareness of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and to eliminate machismo. This organization provides services for Latino victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking that are confidential, free, and culturally and linguistically trauma-informed. These services include:
- Advocacy, such as safety planning, crisis intervention, and a 24-hour helpline in Spanish
- Mental Health services such as support groups, survivor-led groups, and trauma-focused counseling
For emergency resources, call their 24-hour crisis line at 405-812-0762.
For non-emergency resources, call 405-724-8474.
For more information on La Luz, visit laluzokc.org.
RAINN - Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network
RAINN is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization that has created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service provides nationwide. RAINN provides a variety of helplines and services, including:
- National Sexual Assault Hotline (English + Spanish): 1-800-656-4673 or hotline.rainn.org/online
- National Helpline for Male Survivors Support Group Chat: 1in6.org
- National Street Harassment Hotline for Gender-Based Harassment: 1-855-897-5910 or hotline.rainn.org/ssh-en
- DoD Safe Helpline for member of the United States Military and their Families: 1-877-995-5274 or safehelpline.org
Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma Domestic Violence and Family Services
The Absentee Shawnee Tribe Domestic Violence Department provides free, confidential services to both tribal members and non-tribal members who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and dating violence within Pottawatomie, Cleveland, and Oklahoma Counties. These services include:
- Victim/Survivor Advocacy
- Housing and Utility Assistance
- Court Advocacy
- Referral Assistance
- Shelter Placement Assistance
For more information or to complete an intake form for services, visit astribe.com/domestic-violence.
To contact the Domestic Violence Department, call 405-273-2888.
Other Resources
OKDHS Abuse and Neglect Hotline
If you believe a child is being abused or neglected, you have a legal responsibility to report it.
Reports can be made 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via the DHS Abuse and Neglect Hotline by calling 1-800-522-3511.
If the child needs an emergency response for immediate health and safety risks, call 911 immediately.
Elder Abuse Hotline
If you believe that a vulnerable adult is the victim of abuse, neglect, or exploitation, you can submit an online report or call the DHS Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-522-3511.
If the vulnerable adult needs an emergency response for immediate health and safety risks, call 911 immediately.
Victims Compensation
The Oklahoma Crime Victims Compensation (OCVC) may be available to you if you or someone you love suffered physical or psychological injury as result of a violent crime that occurred anywhere in the state of Oklahoma. The OCVC may provide compensation for unreimbursed expenses related to a crime, such as counseling and rehabilitation for the victim, grief counseling for families of homicide victims, medical, dental, or prescriptions, and more. The OCVC is a payer of last resort. All other resorts of payment, such as insurance, must be used, or OCVC may not provide compensation.
Applicants must meet the following reporting and filing requirements:
- There must be economic loss.
- The crime must have occurred in Oklahoma.
- The crime must have been reported to law enforcement within 72 hours of the incident. The Board or administrator may find good cause for failure to report within this period. Exceptions are always made for child victims.
- The claim for compensation must be filed within one (1) year of the crime-related injury of the victim. The one (1) year deadline may be waived for good cause.
- The claimant is required to fully cooperate with the police, prosecution, and other law enforcement entities during the investigation and prosecution of the offender.
- Compensation cannot benefit the offender or an accomplice.
- Compensation that could be awarded to a claimant shall be reduced or denied, depending on the degree of responsibility for the injury or death that is attributable to the victim.
To learn more information about the OCVC, visit okvictimscomp.com.
You can file a claim utilizing one the following three options:
- Contact the District Attorney's Office in the County where the crime took place
- Contact the OCVC Program at 1-800-745-6098
- Apply online at: ocvcapp.okvictimscomp.com