Walton County Victim Resource Directory
If you or someone you love has been harmed by a crime in Walton County, it can be difficult to know where to turn first. Support is available for emergency safety, crisis counseling, victim advocacy, domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, court-related questions, and financial assistance through Florida’s victim compensation program.
This Walton County Victim Resource Directory is designed to help crime victims and families quickly identify local and regional resources. Some services are based directly in Walton County, while others serve Walton County as part of a Northwest Florida or regional service area.
If you are in immediate danger, call 911 now.
Emergency Help and Law Enforcement Resources in Walton County
Walton County Sheriff’s Office Victim Advocate: The Walton County Sheriff’s Office lists a victim advocate contact for people seeking victim rights information, crisis intervention referrals, and help understanding available services. The Sheriff’s Office also provides information about rights available to crime victims in Florida, including the right to receive information about crisis intervention services, counseling, shelter, legal assistance, and other support depending on the circumstances.
Victim Advocate: (850) 951-4952 Email: victimadvocate@waltonso.org
State Attorney’s Office, First Judicial Circuit — Victim Assistance Program: Walton County is within Florida’s First Judicial Circuit. The State Attorney’s Office Victim Assistance Program can help victims and witnesses understand the criminal justice process, victim rights, court-related notices, and available referrals. This office does not represent individual victims as private legal counsel, but its victim assistance program may help explain the prosecution process and connect victims with support during a pending criminal case.
211 Northwest Florida: 211 Northwest Florida provides community resource navigation for Walton County and other Northwest Florida counties. It may help connect callers with food, housing, mental health, crisis, transportation, legal aid, and other local support resources.
Phone: Dial 2-1-1
Domestic Violence and Safety Planning Resources
Shelter House Northwest Florida: Shelter House is the state-certified domestic violence center serving Okaloosa and Walton counties. Its services include a 24-hour domestic violence hotline, confidential shelter, crisis counseling, advocacy, safety planning, support groups, legal advocacy, youth services, hospital accompaniment, and referrals. Services are described by Shelter House as free and confidential for victims in Okaloosa and Walton counties.
Domestic Violence Hotline: (850) 863-4777 Alternate Hotline: 1-800-44ABUSE / 1-800-442-2873
Shelter House may be an important first call if you are afraid of someone in your household, need help planning a safe exit, need shelter, or want to speak with an advocate before deciding what to do next.
Florida Domestic Violence Hotline: The Florida Domestic Violence Hotline is a statewide resource for people experiencing domestic violence. It can help connect callers with certified domestic violence centers and safety resources in their area. The Walton County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Courts both list the hotline as a domestic violence resource.
Phone: 1-800-500-1119
Sexual Assault Support in Walton County
Gulf Coast Sexual Assault Program: The Gulf Coast Sexual Assault Program provides sexual violence support across multiple Northwest Florida counties, including Walton County. The program’s hotline connects survivors with a sexual assault advocate for crisis intervention, information about options, and help understanding available services.
24-Hour Hotline: 1-866-218-4738
This can be a starting point for survivors who need confidential advocacy, help after a recent assault, information about medical forensic exams, or support after an assault that happened in the past.
Shelter House Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Services: Shelter House also states that it provides free and confidential services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Okaloosa and Walton counties. Its services may include crisis counseling, legal advocacy, safety planning, and support for friends and family.
Hotline: (850) 863-4777
Child Abuse and Child Protection Resources
Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center: Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center serves children and families in Okaloosa and Walton counties. The organization provides child-focused advocacy, therapy, and support for children impacted by abuse and neglect. Its Walton County presence includes the Pierce Family Children’s Advocacy Center in DeFuniak Springs.
Services may include advocacy, mental health support, child-friendly services, and coordination with partner agencies involved in child abuse investigations and healing support.
Florida Abuse Hotline: If you know or suspect that a child is being abused, abandoned, neglected, or exploited, report concerns to the Florida Abuse Hotline. The hotline also receives reports involving vulnerable adults. Walton County Sheriff’s Office victim rights information and local child protection resources identify the Florida Abuse Hotline as a reporting resource.
Phone: 1-800-962-2873
Mental Health and Crisis Support
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available for people experiencing suicidal thoughts, mental health crises, substance use-related distress, or emotional distress. The Florida Department of Health in Walton County describes 988 as a free, 24/7 support service connecting people with trained crisis counselors.
Phone: Dial 9-8-8
Florida Department of Health in Walton County — Behavioral Health Counseling: The Florida Department of Health in Walton County offers behavioral health counseling to its primary care patients. Its listed services include support for depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and other life issues.
This may be a helpful resource for victims who are already connected with the Walton County health department or who need guidance on local behavioral health options.
211 Northwest Florida for Counseling Referrals: For victims who are not sure which counseling provider to call, 211 Northwest Florida may help identify mental health, crisis, and community services available in Walton County.
Phone: Dial 2-1-1
Legal Support and Court-Related Resources
Walton County Clerk of Courts — Injunction and Self-Help Information: The Walton County Clerk of Courts provides self-help and restraining order information for people seeking civil protection through the court system. The Clerk’s restraining order page explains that petitions may involve domestic violence, repeat violence, dating violence, sexual violence, or stalking, depending on the facts and legal requirements.
The Clerk cannot give private legal advice, but the self-help information may help victims understand forms, filing steps, and where to begin.
Legal Services of North Florida: Legal Services of North Florida serves Walton County and may provide free civil legal help to eligible people. Florida Law Help lists Walton among its service areas and identifies handled issues including domestic violence, family law, housing, public benefits, consumer issues, healthcare access, veterans’ legal assistance, and other civil matters.
This may be an option for victims who need help with civil legal issues related to safety, housing, family law, injunctions, or public benefits.
Florida Crime Victim Compensation
Florida Bureau of Victim Compensation: The Florida Attorney General’s Bureau of Victim Compensation administers Florida’s crime victim compensation program. The program may provide financial assistance for eligible victims who suffered financial losses because of a qualifying crime. The Attorney General’s office describes the program as financial assistance intended to ease hardships suffered by crime victims.
Depending on eligibility, compensation may help with expenses such as medical care, mental health counseling, lost wages, disability, burial costs, or other crime-related costs. Eligibility is reviewed by the Office of the Attorney General on an individual basis, and compensation is not automatic.
A victim advocate, law enforcement victim services contact, or State Attorney’s Office victim assistance staff may be able to help explain the application process.
What to Do After a Crime in Walton County
After a violent crime, it can be hard to focus on practical steps. These steps may help protect your safety, preserve important information, and connect you with support.
Call 911 if there is immediate danger. Your safety comes first. If you are injured or unsafe, ask for emergency medical or law enforcement help right away. Report the crime when you are ready and able. Reporting to law enforcement may help create a record, start an investigation, and connect you with victim services. Seek medical care if you are hurt or may need an exam. Medical care can address injuries, document harm, and connect you with additional support. Survivors of sexual assault can also ask about advocate support and forensic exam options. Contact a victim advocate. A victim advocate may help explain your rights, safety planning options, court updates, counseling referrals, and crime victim compensation. Keep records when possible. Save police report numbers, medical paperwork, photos, messages, receipts, missed work records, and names of agencies or advocates you speak with. Ask about Florida victim compensation. If you have medical bills, counseling needs, lost wages, funeral expenses, or other crime-related costs, ask whether you may qualify for Florida’s crime victim compensation program. Consider whether unsafe property conditions may have played a role. If the crime happened at an apartment complex, hotel, parking lot, bar, business, shopping center, or other property, and inadequate security may have contributed to what happened, you may have legal options depending on the facts.
How VictimAdvocate.com May Be Able to Help
Local agencies and nonprofit organizations can provide critical support after a crime. VictimAdvocate.com can serve as an additional resource for victims and families who need help understanding next steps, connecting with services, and considering whether negligent security or unsafe property conditions may have contributed to the harm.
You do not have to figure this out alone. If you or someone you love was harmed in Walton County, a victim advocate may be able to help you understand available resources, preserve important documentation, and explore possible legal options based on what happened.
Contact a Walton County Victim Advocate Today
If you or a loved one was harmed by a violent crime in Walton County, support is available. Contact VictimAdvocate.com today for a free case assessment and learn how a victim advocate may be able to help you understand your rights, connect with resources, and explore possible next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do first after a violent crime in Walton County?
If you are in danger or need urgent medical help, call 911. Once you are safe, you may want to contact law enforcement, seek medical care, speak with a victim advocate, and ask about counseling or crisis support.
Is there a victim advocate through the Walton County Sheriff’s Office?
Yes. The Walton County Sheriff’s Office lists a victim advocate contact at (850) 951-4952 and victimadvocate@waltonso.org.
Who helps domestic violence victims in Walton County?
Shelter House Northwest Florida is the state-certified domestic violence center serving Okaloosa and Walton counties. It provides a 24-hour hotline, shelter, crisis counseling, advocacy, legal advocacy, safety planning, and related support services.
What sexual assault resources serve Walton County?
The Gulf Coast Sexual Assault Program serves Walton County and provides a 24-hour hotline at 1-866-218-4738. Shelter House also provides services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Okaloosa and Walton counties.
Where can I report suspected child abuse in Walton County?
Reports of suspected child abuse, abandonment, neglect, or exploitation should be made to the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873. Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center also serves children and families in Walton County with child-focused advocacy and support services.
Can crime victims in Walton County apply for financial assistance?
Possibly. The Florida Bureau of Victim Compensation reviews applications for eligible crime-related expenses. Compensation is not guaranteed, and eligibility depends on the facts, documentation, and program requirements.
Can I get help with a restraining order in Walton County?
The Walton County Clerk of Courts provides restraining order and self-help information. Shelter House may also provide advocacy and support related to domestic violence safety planning and injunction assistance.
When should I contact VictimAdvocate.com after a crime?
You may contact VictimAdvocate.com when you need help understanding resources, documenting what happened, or exploring whether unsafe property conditions may have contributed to the crime. Legal options depend on the facts, including where the crime occurred and what security measures were or were not in place.
