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The Orange County Sheriff's Department stresses the enforcement of laws designed to protect the victims of domestic violence, and to communicate the community's attitude that violent behavior in the home is criminal behavior and will not be tolerated.

The victim of domestic violence should file a criminal complaint 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.

You may file suit for losses suffered as the result of the abuse, including medical expenses, loss of earnings and other expenses for injuries sustained and damage to your property, and other related expenses that you or your sheltering agency incurred.

Under certain circumstances, deputy sheriff's cannot make arrests themselves but may ask you to make a private party arrest. The deputy sheriff will explain the procedure to you and ask you to sign the private person's arrest form, which the deputy sheriff will provide. The deputy sheriff 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.

For information about this program click here.

For information about Hate Crimes click here.

As a victim, you have the right to go to the Superior Court and file a petition requesting any of the following orders for relief:
An order restraining the attacker from abusing the victim and other family members.
An order directing the attacker to leave the household.
An order preventing the attacker from entering the residence, school, business, or place of employment of the victim.
An order awarding the victim or the other parent custody of or visitation with a minor child or children.
An order restraining the attacker from molesting or interfering with minor children in the custody of the victim.
An order directing the party not granted custody to pay support of the minor children, if that party has a legal obligation to do so.
An order directing the defendant to make specified debt payments coming due while the order is in effect.
An order directing that either or both parties participate in counseling.
To obtain information about domestic violence temporary restraining orders, call (714) 935-7956. This is a 24-hour recorded message, in English and Spanish, which will advise you where and how to obtain a domestic violence temporary restraining order. Advocates are available at that number during regular business hours.

If you have obtained a restraining order against the offender and the offender willingly violates the order, he/she will be arrested and, in most cases, taken to jail if still present when the officers arrive.

CSP Youth Shelter
Crisis Shelter and Counseling for Youth 11 to 17 - (949)494-4311

CSP 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

CSP Victim Assistance Programs
Victim/Witness Assistance Program - Support Services for Victims of Crime
Santa Ana - (714)834-4350
Fullerton - (714)773-4575
Westminster - (714)896-7188
Newport Beach - (949)476-4855