🦞 Maine Victim Rights & Resources
If you are a survivor of abuse, crime, or professional misconduct in Maine, this guide will help you understand your rights, report harm, and access both state-funded and VOCA-supported services.
🚫 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 Maine Law
Maine’s Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights ensures:
- The right to be treated with dignity and compassion
- Notification of court proceedings and updates
- Participation in sentencing and parole decisions
- Restitution and protection throughout the process
- Access to information and victim services
🔗 Maine Attorney General – Victim Services 🔗 Maine Victims’ Rights Statutes – Title 17-A §2101
📂 Public Records & Documentation
Victims can request:
- Police reports and case files
- 911 calls or body/dash cam recordings (if applicable)
- Court filings and documentation
💡 Submit requests using Maine’s Freedom of Access Act (FOAA). Keep a record of all requests and responses.
🏥 Requesting Medical Records
You may request:
- Your own medical records
- Records of a dependent or deceased individual (if legally authorized)
🔗 How to File a HIPAA Complaint
🧑⚕️ Reporting Licensed Healthcare Providers
Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine:
https://www.maine.gov/md
Maine State Board of Nursing:
https://www.maine.gov/boardofnursing
Office of Professional & Occupational Regulation (Counseling, Social Work):
https://www.maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing
⚠️ Document every complaint you file, save confirmation emails, and print backup copies for your records.
💰 Victim Compensation in Maine
Maine’s Victims’ Compensation Program helps victims of violent crime cover:
- Medical and counseling expenses
- Funeral and burial costs
- Lost wages and income support
- Crime scene cleanup and relocation expenses
Eligibility Requirements:
- Crime must be reported within 5 days (or with good cause)
- Claim must be filed within 3 years
- Victim must cooperate with law enforcement
🔗 Maine Victims’ Compensation Program 📞 Phone: (207) 626-8570
🤝 VOCA-Funded Services in Maine
VOCA support is administered by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
🔗 Maine VOCA Services – DHHS 📞 General Info: (207) 624-7900
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 stillness of harbors and hardship, Maine survivors — your voice anchors truth.
