Victim Resources

Victim Notification Everyday (VINE)

Since 1994, Appriss has provided innovative technology solutions that help hundreds of local, state, and Federal government agencies serve and protect their citizens. Through products like VINE® and JusticeXchange™, Appriss is helping to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and accessibility of government agencies across the country. 1-877-TX4-VINE, Toll-Free 1-877-894-8463.

National Domestic Violence Hotline

Until the violence stops, the hotline will continue to answer … One Call at a Time. Help is available to callers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Hotline advocates are available for victims and anyone calling on their behalf to provide crisis intervention, safety planning, information and referrals to agencies in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Houston Area Women's Center

The Houston Area Women’s Center helps individuals affected by domestic and sexual violence in their efforts to move their lives forward. They provide shelter, counseling, and advocacy to support them in building lives free from the effects of violence. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic or sexual violence, please contact the 24 hour Domestic Violence Hotline at 713-528-2121. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE.

The Bridge Over Troubled Waters

The mission of The Bridge is to offer support, provide safety and prevent domestic and sexual violence. We believe everyone has a right to live a life without violence and to walk in their full potential as a human without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, ability, sexual orientation, religion or political beliefs.

Family Time Crisis and Counseling Center

The mission of Family Time is to provide services and programs to encourage the mental health and wellness of the community as well as promote safety and support for the prevention of domestic and sexual violence.

Texas Department of Public Safety – Identity Theft Information Guide

If you have become a victim of identity theft, contact your local police department right away to file a criminal report. Document the names and phone numbers of everyone you speak to regarding the incident. List exactly what has happened, such as bad checks, credit card abuse, etc.

Consumer Identity Theft

This website is a one-stop national resource to learn about the crime of identity theft. It provides detailed information to help you Deter, Detect, and Defend against identity theft. While there are no guarantees about avoiding identity theft, there are steps you can take to minimize your risk and minimize the damage if a problem occurs.

Office On Violence Against Women (OVW)

Since its inception in 1995, the Violence Against Women Office, now the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) has handled the Department’s legal and policy issues regarding violence against women, coordinated Departmental efforts, provided national and international leadership, received international visitors interested in learning about the federal government’s role in addressing violence against women, and responded to requests for information regarding violence against women.

Texas at your fingertips (Texas On-line)

The State of Texas web site is intended to serve as the official compilation of Texas government electronic resources, both at the state and local levels, and as an index of Texas governmental or taxing authority web sites and services. The site is organized by subject to provide a collection of links and portals designed to allow citizens, visitors, businesses, state government, and others to quickly and efficiently locate appropriate resources.

Harris County Justice Applications

• Harris County District Clerk’s Office for public information about cases.
• Harris County Sheriff’s Office for information about inmates, warrants, reports, background checks, etc.
• Harris County District Attorney’s Office for Victim/Witness Information
• Offense/Incident Inquiry

Sex Offender Database (DPS)

Pursuant to Chapter 62, (Art 62.045 and Art 62.0451) of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, the Crime Records Service of the Texas Department of Public Safety is furnishing additional public notice for certain sex offenders. This notification supplements the Department's Sex Offender Registration web site and is separate from any local law enforcement notification activity, such as web sites, newspaper publication, public meetings, etc. 

Texas Judiciary Online

The Texas court system consists of a Supreme Court, which is the highest state appellate court for civil matters, including juvenile delinquency, which the law considers to be a civil matter and not criminal; a Court of Criminal Appeals, which is the highest state appellate court for criminal matters; 14 Courts of Appeals, which have intermediate appellate jurisdiction in both civil and criminal cases; and four levels of trial courts.

Office for Victims of Crime (OVC)

The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) was established by the 1984 Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) to oversee diverse programs that benefit victims of crime.OVC provides substantial funding to state victim assistance and compensation programs-the lifeline services that help victims to heal. The agency supports trainings designed to educate criminal justice and allied professionals regarding the rights and needs of crime victims. OVC also sponsors an annual event in April to commemorate National Crime Victims Rights Week (NCVRW).

Texas Attorney General Crime Victims Compensation

Information, assistance and referrals for victims of crime - Apply for Crime Victim’s Compensation to help with expenses related to being a victim of crime.

Covered Crimes

Crimes or attempted crimes that caused physical or mental injury or death

United Way Helpline

Community resources and referrals – Includes referrals for all types of needs including counseling, child or elder care, mental health, food, shelter, and much more.

Crisis Hotline of Houston

24-hour telephone and web-based help – Includes counseling, suicide prevention and intervention and information and referral.

Report Child, Elder or Disabled Adult Abuse

Report child, elder or disabled person abuse. 

You can report suspicions of abuse or neglect of children or abuse, neglect or exploitation of persons 65 years or older and adults with disabilities. The Texas Family Code 261.101 requires professionals to make a report within 48 hours of first suspecting abuse, neglect or exploitation (for licensing only) of children. The Human Resources code Chapter 48 (48.051) requires a person having cause to believe that an elderly or disabled person is in the state of abuse, neglect, or exploitation to report the information required immediately.

Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Victim Services Division

The mission of Victim Services Division is to provide a central mechanism for crime victims to participate in the Criminal Justice System.

Texas Council On Family Violence

The Texas Council on Family Violence promotes safe and healthy relationships by supporting service providers, facilitating strategic prevention efforts, and creating opportunities for freedom from domestic violence.

National Organization of Parents Of Murdered Children, Inc.

POMC® provides the on-going emotional support needed to help parents and other survivors facilitate the reconstruction of a "new life" and to promote a healthy resolution. Not only does POMC help survivors deal with their acute grief but also helps with the criminal justice system.

Texas Association Against Sexual Assault (TAASA)

The Texas Association Against Sexual Assault (TAASA) is the statewide organization committed to ending sexual violence in Texas. A non-profit educational and advocacy organization based in Austin, TAASA member agencies comprise a statewide network of over 80 crisis centers that serve rural as well as metropolitan areas. Founded in 1982, the agency has a strong record of success in community education, youth outreach, law enforcement training, legislative advocacy, and curricula and materials development.

NAMI Greater Houston

NAMI Greater Houston is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization established in 1988 by a group of dedicated and caring family members of those living with difficult, yet treatable, mental illnesses. As such, the mission of NAMI Greater Houston is to improve the lives of all persons affected by mental illness through support, education and advocacy based programs and services. 713-970-4419

Mental Health America of Greater Houston

Mental Health America of Greater Houston, established in 1954 by philanthropist Ima Hogg, is the area’s longest serving mental health education and advocacy organization focused on shaping the mental health of people and communities in the areas of children and education, integrated health care, chronic illnesses, women, suicide prevention, veterans and aging. 713-523-8963

10 Tips on Improving Mental Health

The trials and tribulations of the past two years have sent many people into mental health spirals. Depression and anxiety are common at the moment and people who have never experienced these problems in the past may struggle to improve their own mental health.

Getting out of bad mental health spells is tricky. Improving your mental health can feel impossible when you’re at the bottom of the pit, so to speak.

Follow this link to learn a few tips for reaching your mental health goals.