This checklist is intended to be used as a tool/resource for law enforcement. It does not supersede any existing general orders, policies, or procedures, and is designed to be used in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) model sexual assault policy. The model policy is available on the DCJS website at www.dcjs.virginia.gov.
In accordance with Code of Virginia § 9.1-1301 (sexual assault policies for law-enforcement agencies in the Commonwealth), all law enforcement agencies are required to have a written policy on responding to alleged criminal sexual assault. This model policy can be used or adapted by law enforcement agencies to meet this mandate, and to promote promising practices for sexual assault response and investigation.
This checklist is intended to be used as a tool/resource for law enforcement. It describes an initial response to a domestic violence call and does not represent a complete approach to these cases. This checklist does not supersede any existing general orders, policies, or procedures, and is designed to be used in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) model domestic violence policy. The model policy is available on the DCJS website at www.dcjs.virginia.gov.
In accordance with Code of Virginia § 9.1-1300(domestic violence policies and procedures for law-enforcement agencies in the Commonwealth), all law enforcement agencies are required to establish policies and procedures for responding to alleged domestic violence and family abuse. This model policy can be used or adapted by law enforcement agencies to meet this mandate, and to promote promising practices for domestic violence response and investigation.
The Legal Advocacy Manual provides victim advocates (as well as victims) with a comprehensive guide to help domestic and sexual violence victims in Virginia through some of the legal processes in which they may become involved. It provides both basic and intermediate levels of information about legal advocacy--what it is, the difference between civil and criminal justice systems, definitions of commonly used legal terms, and how to avoid the unauthorized practice of law, among other topics. The manual offers context for the emotional, logistical, and legal hurdles involved in protective orders, criminal prosecutions, visa applications, and divorces. It is 76 pages long and is in PDF form. Susheela Varky of Virginia Poverty Law Center updated it in June 2013 for recent changes in the law. Ms. Varky has used the manual as a resource for in-person trainings geared to victim advocates, and is available to tailor such trainings for your local Virginia domestic or sexual violence program.