Police vehicles

Victim Advocacy Unit

The Tampa Police Department's Victim Advocacy Unit is available to assist and offer support to victims of crime. For additional information, resources and referrals, contact us at (813) 276-3622 to speak with a victim advocate. You may leave a voicemail or send an email to TPD-VictimAdvocate@tampa.gov. 

For life threatening emergencies, call 9-1-1. For non-emergency matters, please call (813) 231-6130.

Victim Rights and Resources

Tampa Police Victim Advocacy Unit Brochure
Office of the State Attorney - Victim Assistance Program
State Attorney's Office Victim's Rights Brochure (English)
Folleto de Derechos de las Víctimas de la Fiscalía Estatal
State Attorney's Office - Domestic Violence Victim's Rights Brochure (English)
Sexual Battery: Your Rights and Services
Agresión sexual: Sus Derechos y Servicios

Overview

The Victim Advocacy Unit (VAU) of the Tampa Police Department was developed to increase support, mitigate victims’ trauma, and enhance its response to victims of violent crime in the City of Tampa. The Victim Advocate is a professional trained to assist and support victims, witnesses, and survivors of crime and those experiencing crisis following a traumatic event. The role of an advocate is to provide on-scene crisis intervention, inform victims of their rights, explore available options, address immediate safety concerns, and assist with appropriate resources and referrals for counseling and support services. The Victim Advocacy Unit is committed to stand alongside victims utilizing a client-centered and trauma informed approach focusing on their individualized needs with compassion, dignity, and respect.

Services vary according to individual needs and requests and may include but are not limited to the following:

  • Inform victims of their legal rights and available options
  • Crisis intervention and emotional support. Includes safety planning tailored to individual needs
  • Assessment of needs and exploration of options
  • Information on appropriate community resources and referrals
  • Information on how to navigate the criminal justice system and accompaniment to court hearings
  • Assistance with filing injunctions for protection
  • Assistance with crime victim compensation applications
  • Assistance with property return
  • Bilingual advocacy services- Spanish

Frequently Asked Questions

No. While the victim advocate(s) cannot provide direct financial assistance, they may assist with referrals to local organizations to further assist you. The Crime Victim Compensation Fund is offered through the Florida Office of Attorney General to help ease the financial hardship of crime victims. Victim advocates may assist with completing applications however they have no part in eligibility, determination of benefits or processing applications. For additional information, please visit the Florida Bureau of Victim Compensation: https://www.myfloridalegal.com/victim-compensation.

The Victim Advocate is a non-sworn, civilian professional at the Tampa Police Department and is trained to provide support and assistance to victims of crime or following a traumatic event. Victim advocates are not officers and do not conduct investigations or take reports, rather they provide information and offer support throughout the investigative process and assist with navigating the criminal justice system.

Yes. Victim advocacy services and crime victim compensation are available to victims of violent crime, regardless of immigration status.

Yes. Prosecution is not required to be connected to a victim advocate and receive support services.

Victim advocates are not authorized to:

  • provide individual therapy or diagnose/treat mental health conditions;
    • Advocates can provide emotional support, offer a listening ear, and connect you with counseling services for ongoing support.
  • give legal advice; 
    • Advocates can refer you to organizations such as the Spring which have legal services available to assist with obtaining injunctions.
  • conduct investigations, take statements, or collect evidence;
    • Advocates can guide you on how to file a police report or connect you with a detective for further assistance.
  • provide copies of police reports;
    • Advocates can explain the process on how to obtain one.
  • provide financial assistance;
    • Advocates can connect you with local organizations that may be able to assist.
  • process U-Visa applications;
    • Advocates can connect you with resources to assist with U-Visa certification.

To request a copy of your police report and related documents, visit our Records page https://www.tampa.gov/police/records

Copies of reports are dependent on the status of the investigation. You may submit an online request or request in person at Tampa Police Department Headquarters, Records Section, Monday through Friday from 8:00 A.M. until 4:00 P.M. at One Police Center located at 411 N. Franklin St., (except when closed for city holidays). For more information on obtaining police reports, please visit our records section: https://www.tampa.gov/police/programs/records-section-services

External Resources and Support Services

Tampa Hillsborough Homeless Initiative

phone: 813.223.6115

email: info@thhi.org

 

For additional resources, see our Homeless Resources page.

Crisis Center of Tampa Bay

813.264.9955 or Dial 211

https://www.crisiscenter.com/

 

Gracepoint Wellness

2214 E Henry Ave, Tampa FL 33610
813.272.2958

 

Life Center of the Suncoast

Counseling services for crime victims and grief/loss support group

813.237.3114

https://www.thelifecenterofthesuncoast.com/

 

For additional resources, see our Mental Health Resources page.