Programs that provide support for battered women, sexual assault survivors and other victims of crimes by having a staff member go with them when they require a medical examination to gather evidence or need to visit a police station to file a complaint or appear in court to give evidence.

Programs that provide a variety of supportive services for victims of crimes and their families which may include general emotional support, crisis counseling, information about police investigative procedures, liaison to police personnel, assistance in completing and filing applications for reimbursement of crime-related expenses or losses, information about the mechanics of court proceedings, advice concerning court appearances, court accompaniment services, assistance in preparing victim impact statements and referrals for other needed services such as medical treatment, shelter away from home, transportation, child care, financial assistance and protective services.

Programs that intercede on behalf of individuals to help them establish eligibility for or obtain needed services when they have been denied benefits or services for which they are eligible, when they need assistance to communicate their needs to a service provider or to otherwise effectively represent themselves, or when they have a complaint about a service. Individual advocacy attempts to reach equitable settlements without resorting to litigation and seeks to meet individual needs without attempting to change social institutions.

Programs that provide information and guidance and/or representation in court proceedings for individuals who have been abused in an intimate relationship and/or for people who are facing a summary conviction offence or criminal charge for perpetrating abuse. Included are domestic violence law clinics and other legal assistance programs that represent victims of domestic abuse at restraining order hearings or in other civil or criminal actions involving charges against an abuser. Most also represent the person's interests in complexities that arise as part of the legal process such as restitution, payment of debts or child support, custody and visitation and property control. Some programs may also represent victims of domestic abuse who have been charged with a crime and/or handle cases involving accusations of child abuse filed by one parent against the other, abuse of an elderly person by an adult child or abuse of an adult child by a parent.

Programs that help victims of domestic abuse obtain a temporary restraining order (TRO) to prevent harassment, stalking or violence on the part of the abusive individual until the court can set a "show cause" hearing to review the evidence and determine what permanent relief is appropriate. Variously known as protective orders or personal protection orders, temporary restraining orders are injunctions issued by the civil court (in most places the family court) that restrain the conduct of the abuser and may identify places such as the abused person's residence or workplace that the individual is prohibited from entering. Although eligibility may vary, restraining orders are generally available to people who have been physically, emotionally or sexually abused or threatened by a current or former spouse, family member (e.g., parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents), partner, other parent of a child, current or former roommate, or current or former dating partner. Temporary restraining orders are usually issued after an "ex parte appearance" (an appearance in court by one party without the other being present), become effective when served on the restrained person and remain in effect until the "show cause" hearing.

Adults who, as adults or children, have survived an actual or attempted act of rape, forced oral copulation, sodomy or other sexual assault or abuse which was perpetrated by an individual other than their spouse or, in the case of a child, by an individual other than a parent or other extended family member whom the child trusted.

Adults who have survived acts of rape, forced oral copulation, sodomy or other forms of sexual assault by their spouses or intimate partners.

Individuals who have suffered injury or loss of property because of the illegal actions of another.