If you are the victim of a crime in Alaska, you have important rights to help keep you safe and informed.

If you are hurt or in danger, you should get help right away. You have the right to:

• You have the right to get medical help right away and not be kept by police for too long before seeing a doctor.
• You can ask police or a victim coordinator to help you find a safe place, like a shelter, and to connect you with people who can help with housing, counseling, and other needs.
• In emergencies involving domestic violence, a police officer can quickly ask a judge for a 72-hour emergency protective order to help protect you, if you agree.
• You also have the right to be told about the Alaska Office of Victims’ Rights (OVR), which can help many victims of serious crimes understand and use their legal rights.

As your case goes through court, you have the right to:

• Be treated with dignity, respect, and fairness, and to be protected from the person accused.
• You can talk with the prosecutor, be told what is happening in the case, and go to court hearings where the defendant is allowed to be there.
• You have the right to speak or be heard at the defendant’s sentencing and, in many serious cases, to be told about certain parole hearings and to share your views.
• If the defendant is found guilty, the judge usually must order the defendant to pay you back for certain costs from the crime, called restitution.
• Victim coordinators in the prosecutor’s office can answer your questions, help you in court, give information about money help and travel, and tell you how to share your story with the court.
• If you need an interpreter, one will be provided at no cost so you can understand and take part.

The Office of Victims Rights has a wide variety of information to help victims.  If they cannot provide services for you, they can direct you to other service providers to help you get the assistance you need. Remember there is no shame or embarrassment asking for help for yourself or someone else.  It is OVR’s job to help people find what the need to work through what has happened.  

Information to help crime victims is also available in a number of languages through the Department of Law.

Information on victim services provided by the Department of Corrections, including how you can be notified of the pending release of the defendant in your case through their automated victim notification system, VINE.

Some additional links to resources for victims are listed below:

• Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
• Mothers Against Drunk Driving
• Victims for Justice
• Violent Crimes Compensation Board
• Victims’ Rights
• Alaska Native Justice Center