Victim & Witness Services

The Victim Assistance Section is staffed with personnel trained to provide crisis intervention, advocacy and support services to crime victims. Assistance includes emotional support, referral to specific provider agencies for focused follow-up services, assistance with filing court papers and monetary claims, court accompaniment, guidance through the criminal justice process and evaluation services for referral to trauma debriefing. Timely interaction with a victim advocate may help enhance the speed and quality of healing.

Crime victims in Maryland are entitled to certain statutory rights. The Maryland State Board of Victim Services and the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention, Youth and Victim Services have published a brochure that provides an overview of those rights, as well as information on available victim services. The brochure, titled “Crime Victims and Witnesses: Your Rights and Services,” is available in English and Spanish.

Contact the HCPD Victim Assistance Section at 410-313-3768.

Local Guide for Victims and Witnesses

Once you have filed a police report, you may also apply for criminal charges directly by going to one of the Court Commissioner’s office locations below with your report or report number.

Commissioner’s Office - Ellicott City
(Open Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-4 p.m.)
3451 Courthouse Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043
410-313-2111

Commissioner’s Office - Jessup
(Open 24 hours)
7311 Waterloo Road, Jessup, MD 20794
410-313-5309

During normal business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.), protective orders may be filed at the District Court or the Circuit Court. Peace orders may only be filed at the District Court. After business hours, including evenings, weekends and holidays, interim peace orders and interim protective orders may be filed at the Court Commissioner’s Office.

Howard County District Court
3451 Courthouse Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043
410-480-7700

Howard County Circuit Court
9250 Judicial Way, Ellicott City, MD 21043
410-313-2111

Commissioner’s Office
7311 Waterloo Road, Jessup, MD 20794
410-313-5309

The mission of The Listening Place is to provide victim-centered, trauma-informed, and comprehensive services to survivors of child abuse and sexual assault. The multidisciplinary approach to these cases ensures that survivors have access to multiple services dedicated to helping them heal and recover from the mental, physical, and emotional trauma they have experienced.

Their on-site services include:

• Child-friendly interviews based in forensic best-practices
• On-site medical exams
• On-site crisis counseling
• Information and referrals to community mental health and victim advocacy partners
• Support services from a victim support liaison

The Listening Place is a collaboration between the Howard County Police Department, Department of Social Services, State’s Attorney’s Office, Health Department and community-based mental health and victim advocacy partners.

To report suspected child abuse or neglect in Howard County, please call:

Child Protective Services Intake Line: 410-872-4203

911 for emergency or immediate services

HopeWorks of Howard County is a non-profit agency providing services to women, men, and children impacted by sexual assault and domestic violence. They offer a 24-hour helpline, residential services, counseling, advocacy, and legal assistance. All services are confidential. 24-hour Hotline: Sexual, Dating and Domestic Violence, 410-997-2272 or 1-800-752-0191 Office: 410-997-0304 (Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-5 p.m.) 

Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center is a 24-hour resource for individuals and families in need of immediate assistance with a personal, mental health, family, or shelter crisis. Grassroots and the police department collaborate through the Mobile Crisis Team to respond to people in crisis who need immediate intervention. Call the 24-hour crisis hotline at 410-531-6677.