The categories of victim services listed below, and their associated subcategories, are identified in the Office for Victims of Crime performance measures. The definitions/examples below are intended to offer high-level guidance as to how services might be provided; however, they are not the only methods for providing services.
Count all individuals served by your organization with the use of VOCA plus match (state general or special) funds during the reporting period. This number should be an unduplicated count of people served during a single reporting period, regardless of the number of services they received or victimization types with which they presented.
Available services can be communicated in-person, virtually, or by telephone, social media, or email with crime victims to identify available services and support.
Subgrantees can contact the DCJS Victims Services technical assistance mailbox at VictimsServicesTA@dcjs.virginia.gov if you are unsure how to report on specfic services delivered.
Explain to victims their options with respect to the criminal justice process. This information may include their rights in proceeding with criminal charges, civil avenues for redress, college/university judicial system, and informing victims about the criminal justice system and process. This could also include information on how to file a police report, request a protective order, or how a case might progress through the legal system. This service includes explanation of legal terminology. In addition, this includes post-sentencing services and information regarding assistance with property return.
As appropriate to a victim’s individual needs, program staff should provide explanations of the services available to a victim. These explanations can be made in person or by telephone. The service can only be counted once regardless of delivery type.
Victims and Witness Rights Explanation:
Appeals/ Habeas Corpus Services: provide information to victims of their right to receive notification from the Office of the Attorney General of the filing and disposition of any appeals or habeas corpus proceedings involving the defendant(s) in their case.
Courtroom Assistance: inform victims that they may request that their addresses and telephone numbers not be disclosed. Explain to victims that they have the right to use the services of an interpreter if needed. Inform minor victims that an adult of their choosing may be present during court proceedings. Advise victims that there may be a closed preliminary hearing for certain sexual offenses, and that closed circuit television may be used in cases involving certain criminal offenses with victims who are 14 years of age or younger at the time of offense or 16 years of age or younger at the time of trial.
Financial Assistance and Social Services: inform victims of financial assistance (beyond crime victims’ compensation) and social services available to them on both a state and local level as a result of their victimization and provide appropriate referral information. Additionally, advise victims of their right to restitution.
Notices: provide information to victims on their right to receive employer intercession services. Provide information to victims on their right to receive advance notification of judicial proceedings relating to their cases and any changes in court dates from the local Commonwealth’s Attorney. Provide information to victims on their right to be notified by the Department of Corrections or the local sheriff or jail superintendent in whose custody an escape, change of name, transfer, release, discharge, or parole of a prisoner occurs. Advise victims that in order to receive notices and offer input, all agencies and persons having such duties must have current victim addresses and telephone numbers given by the victims.
Protection: provide information on levels of protection available to victims of crime when harm or threats of harm are present. This may include an explanation of the availability of orders of protection, “no contact” restrictions on bonds, police patrol ride-bys, etc. Inform victims about the availability of protective orders and no contact orders, and the action needed to obtain them. This would include victims of domestic violence, child physical abuse, child sexual abuse, elder abuse, stalking, sexual assault, assault, and harassment.
Victim Input: advise victims that they may submit to the court a written impact statement or may be given an opportunity to testify about the impact of the crime on the victim and his or her family. Provide explanations to victims about the parole process and victim input for crimes occurring before January 1, 1995. Advise victims that they may remain in the courtroom, during all court proceedings, unless the court finds that their presence would impair the conduct of a fair trial. Advise victims of felonies, that given their written requests, Commonwealth’s Attorneys must consult with them, either verbally or in writing, regarding the contents of proposed plea agreements and their views concerning plea negotiations. Additionally, advise victims of felonies, that given their written requests, Common- wealth’s Attorneys are to provide victims advance notice of any proceedings in which plea agreements will be offered to the courts. Finally, advise victims that Commonwealth’s Attorneys direct the prosecution and can enter into a plea agreements, whether or not victims agree with such agreements, and that the courts can accept plea agreements, about which victims were not consulted, given good cause.
Provide victims with referral(s) to services, supports and resources including other Victim Witness Assistance Programs or community based nonprofit victim service programs. This can include legal, medical, faith based organizations, protection programs, address-confidentiality programs, etc. Referrals to the federal witness protection program also fall in this category.
A. Crisis Referrals: provide victims the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of appropriate agencies that offer crisis intervention (including hotlines), follow-up counseling (private and public mental health providers), and support groups. These referrals can be made in person or by telephone.
B. Crime Prevention: direct victims to law enforcement agencies for the purpose of obtaining crime prevention services (includes emergency cell phone coordination, and safety planning).
C. Emergency Assistance: refer victims to emergency assistance agencies, such as those that provide shelter, food, clothing, etc. You can count this service for a victim even if the victim does not follow through with the referral. For example, if you refer a victim of domestic violence to a shelter and the victim does not go to the shelter, you can still count this service as Emergency Assistance-Referral.
Assist victims who received assistance with completing a victim compensation application during the reporting period, even if they did not submit the application. Simply providing an individual with an aplication does NOT qualify as assistance.
Services may include: