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.
A brochure intended to provide summary information regarding family abuse protective orders and protective orders covering other non-family abuse circumstances.
House Bill 1395 (2008; Bell) required DCJS to submit a report on the status of implementation of §9.1-1301 to the Chairmen of the House and Senate Courts of Justice Committees by December 1, 2009. §9.1-1301 requires all law enforcement agencies to establish written policies and procedures regarding law enforcement officers’ response to alleged sexual assaults. DCJS designed and conducted a survey of Virginia law enforcement agencies’ sexual assault policies during July and August of 2009. This is the report on that study. Published by DCJS December 2009.
In 2004, the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation stating that “the Department of Criminal Justice Services shall promote the use of local and regional sexual assault response team policy and protocol, established pursuant to subdivision 46 of §9.1-102 of the Code of Virginia, as an integral part of an effective coordinated community response to sexual assault” (Virginia Acts of Assembly, Chapter 980). The Code directs that DCJS shall “establish training standards and publish a model policy and protocols for local and regional sexual assault response teams” (§9.1-102). In accordance with these legislative mandates, DCJS developed these guidelines based on review of existing state and national protocols and best practices and consultations with local Virginia sexual assault response team members. This model protocol focuses on adult sexual assault.
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