Victim Assistance Program

1-800-552-8641
They say time heals all wounds.
We'll be here in the meantime.

Advocacy

MADD victim advocates develop and maintain cooperative associations with law enforcement and criminal justice personnel to encourage effective communication with victims during a criminal case.

Trained victim advocates clarify the victim's rights, assist in preparing Victim Impact Statements, and may accompany victims to court. In some situations, they may advocate for services available through local or state agencies or government departments.

Assistance

Due to the tragic nature of alcohol-impaired crashes, MADD offices and the state office provide free assistance to injured survivors and bereaved loved ones of drunk driving crashes.

Connect with others who have experienced the tragic consequences of a drunk driving crash in our Victims Support and Healing Forum Bulletin Board.   You may also seek support online each Monday as MADD National presents its Victims' Live Chat at 8 p.m. EST, and every Thursday at 9:30 p.m. EST. NOTE: A Java-compliant browser is necessary for Victims' Live Chat.

Crisis Intervention

MADD understands your need to ask questions, receive answers and information at this very difficult time. Our toll-free statewide victim assistance line (1-800-552-8641) begins to meet that need 24 hours a day by putting you in contact with a victim advocate.

Our victim advocates are fully trained and offer valuable information, resources, and emotional support because many of them live with injury or have experienced the sudden loss of a loved one.

Financial Recovery

MADD's publication, Financial Recovery After a Drunk Driving Crash, provides some of the resources available to victims who are faced with financial losses. However, MADD cannot offer or provide direct financial assistance to victims.

We offer information on submitting an application to the Ohio Victims of Crime Compensation Program.   We can also provide information about local resources and other means of financial recovery.

Information and Referral

MADD victim advocates have knowledge of local, county and state agencies, government departments and businesses from which victims can receive financial, legal, counseling and other services.

Victim Assistance Hotline

Our toll-free, victim assistance line (1-800-552-8641) can refer you to a trained victim advocate in your area or, if one is not available, assistance is offered through the state office in Columbus. Our policy is to return your call within 24 hours.

Literature

Understanding that people grieve differently from one another, MADD developed grief booklets to help you understand the grieving process. These booklets address the special emotional needs of children, teens, parents, siblings, employers and injured survivors. Many are available in Spanish. Online publications for victims are available at MADD National's web site section on Finding Help.

As well as the verbal explanation of the criminal justice system, victims receive the Victim Information Pamphlet, which provides a step-by-step walk through the criminal judicial process.

To receive a copy of this literature, or inquire about other victim assistance materials, you may write, call, or email us.