Crime Victims Assistance

The DeSoto Police Department Victims Assistance Program is committed to helping victims of violent crimes. We strive to provide services and support to people in our community that have been identified as victims. Victims in crisis suffer both physical and psychological trauma, along with emotional and financial set-backs.

GOAL

To assist and offer victims of violent crimes with information about community resources available in a crisis situation, provide the necessary advocacy and help with understanding their “Victim Rights” through the criminal justice process and paperwork.  

VIOLENT CRIME VICTIM DEFINITION

A victim of a violent crime is someone who has suffered sexual assault, kidnapping, aggravated robbery, trafficking of persons, injury to a child, elderly abuse, disabled person abuse, suffered personal bodily injury or death as a result of the criminal conduct of another.

Download the brochure with more information and resources for victims of family violence and survivors of violent crimes

Learn more about Victim's Assistance

CRIME VICTIMS' COMPENSATION

Crime Victims’ Compensation is a financial assistance program that helps eligible victims of crime with certain expenses related to the crime. The program is designed to assist victims with their expenses who suffer personal injury or death as the result of a violent crime, including DWI. The Crime Victims’ Compensation Program is the “The Payer of Last Resort " after primary sources of payment such as Health insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, Auto insurance or Texas Workers’ Compensation have been exhausted.

The victim must report the crime to a law enforcement agency within a reasonable period of time, but not so late as to interfere with or hamper the investigation and prosecution of a crime. The victim must file the application within three years of the date of the crime.

Assistance with the compensation packet and processing is available through the DeSoto Police Crime Victims Assistance Office. Call 972.230.7370 for information on how to reach the Victims Assistance Office. For more information on the Crime Victims’ Compensation program – Contact the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Texas – www.texasattorneygeneral.gov.


 

 


Helpful Information
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1.800.799.SAFE (7233)
 Crime Victims' Compensation Program
Office of the Attorney General -OAG
1.800.983.9933
National Council on Child Abuse
& Family Violence
1.800.222.2000
 National Sexual Assault Hotline
1.800.252.5400