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VICTIM SERVICES/MARSY'S LAW
Getting help if you are a victim
Victim Witness Assistance Center
Your local Victim Witness Assistance Center can provide:
- Advocacy
- Specific information on local resources and support groups
- Information about the Victim Compensation Program
To get information about the center nearest to you, call 1-800-VICTIMS or 1-800-842-8467.
National and statewide victim resources
National Center for Victims of Crime
1-855-4-VICTIM (842846)
National Center for Victims of Crime website
California Attorney General’s Victim Services Unit
1-800-433-9069
Victim Services Unit website
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services
1-800-256-6877
Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services website
Sexual assault and domestic violence victims
National Sexual Assault Hotline
1-800-656-HOPE
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website
California Partnership to End Domestic Violence
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
California Partnership to End Domestic Violence website
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233
National Domestic Violence Hotline website
Youth victims
Center for Missing and Exploited Children
1-800-843-5678
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children website
About the Victims’ Bill of Rights Act
Proposition 9, the Victims’ Bill of Rights Act was approved in 2008. This is also known as Marsy’s Law. This measure amends the California Constitution to provide additional rights to victims.
The definition of ‘victim’ in the California Constitution is:
“a person who suffers direct or threatened physical, psychological, or financial harm as a result of the commission or attempted commission of a crime or delinquent act. The term ‘victim’ also includes the person’s spouse, parents, children, siblings, or guardian, and includes a lawful representative of a crime victim who is deceased, a minor, or physically or psychologically incapacitated. The term ‘victim’ does not include a person in custody for an offense, the accused, or a person whom the court finds would not act in the best interest of a minor victim.” (Cal. Const., art. 1, 28(e).)