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If You Are A Victim

Educate, Empower & Embrace
 

The best thing to do if you are a victim or suspect you have been a victim is to tell someone! One of the most effective ways to protect yourself is to talk about what happened. Tell a trusted friend, family member or local victim advocate who will work with you to keep you and your resources safe in the future.

What To Do If You Are A Victim of an Attack

Remain calm. Try not to show signs of panic, anger or confusion, even if you are!

If the attacker wants your purse or money, don't resist! If possible, throw your purse or wallet on the ground, away from where you are.

Make a conscious effort to get an accurate description of the attacker. Try to remember things about the person that cannot change such as general age, gender, race, complexion, body build, height, weight, scars or markings on their face or body, and tattoos. Then try to remember the type and color of clothing.

As soon as possible, call the police. Identify yourself and your location. Remember to let the 9-1-1 operator hang up first!

Call your local victim service agency in Prince George’s County or call CAFY 301-390-4092 or 301-772-4273. They can help you cope with the trauma that all crime victims experience. They can also help you determine if you are eligible for victim compensation and explain how to follow your case's progress through the criminal justice system.

What to do if you are the victim of a sexual assault?

Go to a safe place as soon as you can!

Call your local rape crisis center in Prince George’s County - Sexual Assault Center 301-618-3154 and remember - You are not alone!

Do not wash yourself or the clothes you were wearing at the time of the assault. Do not even change your clothes if at all possible. If you must change your clothes, do so while standing on a paper bag, then bring that bag and all your clothes including shoes, socks, underclothing to the hospital with you.
Seek medical attention! You may have received injuries you have not yet detected. A counselor from your local rape crisis center can meet you at the hospital.

What to do if you are the victim of fraud?

Very few frauds are reported to the police because victims say they are too embarrassed to admit they were duped, believe the police can't do anything, or think fraud isn't a criminal matter.

To get help and prevent others from becoming victims:

Call the police!

Alert your Neighborhood Watch to any known cons in the area.

Call your consumer protection agency or Better Business Bureau. They may be able to offer some assistance.

If you think you've been cheated in mail fraud, keep all letters and envelopes and contact your nearest Postal Investigator. Your local post office should be able to provide contact information for your Postal Inspector.

Call your local victim service agency (CAFY 301-390-4092)

 

 

Produced by Community Advocates for Family & Youth.  The hosting of this website was made possible by the support by Office for Victims of Crime, U.S. Department of Justice.  Points of view in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U. S. Department of Justice.