🐎 Kentucky Victim Rights & Resources
If you are a survivor of abuse, crime, or professional misconduct in Kentucky, this guide outlines your rights, how to report misconduct, and how to access both financial support and trauma-informed services across the state.
🚫 This guide is not a substitute for legal advice. If you are in immediate danger, call 911 or reach out to a crisis hotline listed on our Support and Help page. While we strive to provide accurate, current information, laws and agency procedures may change. Always verify details directly with official sources or consult a licensed attorney in your area.
📜 Your Rights Under Kentucky Law
Kentucky’s Constitution and the Crime Victims Bill of Rights provide you with:
- The right to be treated with fairness, dignity, and respect
- The right to be notified of court proceedings
- The right to attend and be heard at sentencing and parole hearings
- The right to restitution and to confer with the prosecution
- Protection from the accused throughout the legal process
🔗 Kentucky Victims’ Rights – Office of the Attorney General 🔗 Marsy’s Law in Kentucky – Constitutional Amendment
📂 Public Records & Documentation
Victims can request:
- Police reports and case files
- 911 call recordings, if available
- Court records and transcripts
💡 Submit records requests under the Kentucky Open Records Act. Provide key identifiers and save copies of every submission.
🏥 Requesting Medical Records
You are entitled to request:
- Your own medical records
- A minor or dependent’s records (with legal authority)
- A deceased person’s records (with proper documentation)
🔗 How to File a HIPAA Complaint – HHS.gov
🧑⚕️ Reporting Licensed Healthcare Providers
Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure:
https://kbml.ky.gov
Kentucky Board of Nursing:
https://kbn.ky.gov
Kentucky Board of Social Work & Mental Health Licensing Boards:
https://bsw.ky.gov
Facility Complaints – KY Department for Public Health:
https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph
⚠️ Document all complaints and retain confirmation numbers or emails for your records.
💰 Victim Compensation in Kentucky
The Kentucky Claims Commission administers the Crime Victims Compensation Fund.
Eligible costs include:
- Medical and counseling services
- Lost wages or support
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Crime scene cleanup and relocation
Eligibility Requirements:
- Report the crime within 48 hours (unless justified)
- File a claim within 5 years
- Cooperate with investigators and prosecutors
🔗 Kentucky Crime Victims Compensation Fund 📞 Phone: (502) 782-8255 or 1-800-469-2120
🤝 VOCA-Funded Services in Kentucky
VOCA services in Kentucky are administered through the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet.
🔗 VOCA Grant Information – Kentucky Justice & Public Safety Cabinet 📞 General Info: (502) 564-7554
No matter your story, you have rights. The Novel Advocate is here to make sure you’re seen, supported, and empowered every step of the way.
🐎 In the bluegrass and beyond, Kentucky survivors — your truth runs deeper than silence ever could.
