The Costa Mesa Police Department enforces laws designed to protect the victims of domestic violence, family violence, sexual assault, hate crimes, and other types of abuse. Below are external resources available to victims of crime not accessed through the Costa Mesa Police Department.

Adult Abuse Service

The Adult Abuse Service is a County of Orange Social Services Agency service that provides aid in circumstances involving elder abuse or abuse to dependent adults.

• 1 (800) 451-5155

Criminal Reporting

The victim of domestic violence, family violence, sexual assault, or any other abuse or assault that results in great bodily injury should file a criminal report with the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the incident. The local police agency will investigate any criminal conduct and file appropriate charges with the District Attorney's Office for criminal prosecution.

Hate Crime

What is a hate crime?

A hate crime (California Penal Code, Section 422.6) is an act, an attempted act, or a threatened act by any person or group of persons to cause physical injury, emotional suffering or property damage against the person of property of another individual or group which is or appears to be motivated, all or in part, by race, religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. These crimes include, but are not limited to, racist, homophobic, and/or religious graffiti, destruction of other religious symbols, cross burnings, physical assaults, or criminal threats of violence against an individual or a group.

A hate incident is behavior that is motivated by hate or bias towards a person’s actual or perceived disability, gender, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation but that is not criminal in nature. Typically these behaviors are protected by the First Amendment right to freedom of expression. If this type of activity escalates to threats being made or carried out against a person or property, or becomes an incitement to commit violence it would be classified as a hate crime. Examples – the distribution of non-threatening racist flyers in a public place; displaying non-threatening anti-gay or lesbian placards at a parade or funeral; writing a letter to the editor ridiculing people with disabilities; painting racist graffiti on a freeway overpass.

What should I do if I am victimized?

• In an emergency, call 911. Otherwise, call the non-emergency line at (714) 754-5252 to make a report 
• Obtain medical attention, if needed. Be sure to keep all medical documentation
• Leave all evidence in place. Do not touch, remove or clean up anything 
• Document what happened. Take photographs of the evidence, writing down exactly what was said, particularly any words that indicate bias motivation, and other information that may be valuable
• Get the name(s), address(es) and phone number(s) of other victims and witnesses
• If possible, write down a description of the perpetrator and the perpetrator’s vehicle

Additional resources

• How to Report Hate Crimes and Incidents and Get Help
• Orange County Human Relations - (714) 480-6580
• The Center (LGBTQ center) - (714) 953-5428

Private Party Arrests

Under certain circumstances, officers cannot make arrests themselves but may ask you to make a private party arrest. The officer will explain the procedure to you and ask you to sign the private person's arrest form, which the officer will provide. The officers will then be able to take the necessary action. You should be aware that despite official restraint of the person alleged to have committed domestic violence, the restrained person may be released at any time.

Sexual Assault Information

If you are the victim of a sexual assault:

• Get to a safe place
• Call the police – dial 911

In order to prevent the destruction of evidence that may be used to convict your attacker(s):

• Do NOT bathe, douche, or comb your hair
• Do NOT change your clothes
• Do NOT eat or drink anything
• Do NOT touch, move, destroy, or discard anything at the crime scene

The police will assist you in obtaining medical attention to determine the extent of your injuries, rule out pregnancy and/or possible sexually transmitted diseases, and collect evidence. If possible, take a change of clothes with you to the hospital.

Remember your attacker. Write down what you remember about his appearance, his car, and the direction he went when he left you. Provide this and any information regarding possible witnesses to the police. The police will need all the information you can give them to apprehend and prosecute your attacker.

Remember - sexual assault by someone you know, including sexual assault by your spouse, is a crime (California Penal Code, Section 262). If you wish, a police officer will notify the Rape Counseling Center, which is available 24 hours a day to assist you. At your request, a counselor will respond and accompany you to the hospital and/or police department.

Waymakers Sexual Assault Victim Services - Counseling, Accompaniment, Advocacy for Victims of Rape and Sexual Abuse

• North Orange County - (714) 834-4317
• South Orange County - (949) 752-1971
• Rape Crisis Hotline - (714) 957-2737

Trauma Intervention Program

Trauma Intervention Program (TIP) is a national non-profit organization that trains volunteers to respond to traumatic events to aid and support victims and families in the first few hours following a tragedy. TIP volunteers are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and are called to assist by first responders.

Information about this program can be found here.

Waymakers

All victims of crime, their family members and witnesses of crime may obtain information and assistance from the Waymakers Victim/Witness Assistance Program.

• (714) 834-4350

Victim/Witness Assistance Program will answer your questions and give you information or refer you to agencies in your community for services that meet your special needs. Some of these services include medical care, counseling, transportation, court escort, state compensation claims, and crisis intervention. It also gives special emphasis to helping several types of victims: domestic violence, senior citizens, sexual assault, and families of homicide victims. Victim counselors will be assigned to help you with your case.

If the crime resulted in an arrest of the perpetrator, the Orange County District Attorney's Office is the appropriate certifying agency. The Orange County District Attorney's Office can be reached at (714) 834- 3600 or here.

Youth Shelter
Crisis Shelter and Counseling for Youth 11 to 17 years old

• Tustin - (714) 714-0780
• Huntington Beach - (714) 842-6600
• Laguna Beach - (949) 494-4311

Youth Services
Juvenile Diversion - Counseling, Restitution, and Legal Awareness Workshops - (949) 250-0488
PATH Program - Substance Abuse Prevention and Education, Speakers Bureau - (949) 757-1096

The Waymakers Juvenile Diversion Program is currently offering a 10-week, highly regarded, nationally recognized, interactive workshop to the community!

The Parent Project ® is an organization that seeks to educate and provide strategies on how to effectively parent difficult children. 

A virtual 10-week Workshop Series will begin on April 6, 2021, space is limited and registration is now open. 

Victim Assistance Programs
Victim/Witness Assistance Program - Support Services for Victims of Crime

• Newport Beach - (949) 476-4855

Sexual Assault Victim Services - Counseling, Accompaniment, Advocacy for Victims of Rape and Sexual Abuse

• North Orange County - (714) 834-4317
• South Orange County - (949) 752-1971
• Rape Crisis Hotline - (714) 957-2737
• Domestic Violence Assistance Program, Temporary Restraining Order Assistance Resource and Referral Counseling - (714) 935-7956
• Temporary Restraining Order Infoline (available 24 hours) - (714) 935-7956
• Dispute Resolution Services and Conflict Settlement through Mediation - (949) 250-4058

Additional Resources

• California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB)
  • If you or a member of your family sustained injury as a direct result of a crime, you may be eligible to receive financial assistance through the California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB).
• Crime Survivors Resource Center
  • Crime Survivors vision is for victims of crime to recover from their experience mentally, physically, emotionally, and financially, by receiving the respect, support, and protection of law enforcement, the judicial system, and the community.
• Legal Aid Society of Orange County - (714) 571-5204
• Mexican Consulate (Consulado de México para ayuda en español) - (877) 639-4835
• Public Law Center - (714) 541-1010
• Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force
  • The Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force is a collaboration of law enforcement, victim service providers, non-profit organizations, faith-based organizations, and the community. The purpose is to work together to protect victims, prosecute offenders, prevent further perpetration of the crime, and partnership building to help increase capacity and resources, as well as improve efficiency and efficacy.