Community Solutions to Sexual and Domestic Violence: VIRGINIA

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2016 New Protective Order Law - What does it mean?

On July 1, the new law that prohibits persons subject to protective orders from possessing firearms will take effect. We have designed a brief FAQs sheet about the new law that provides some basic information on what the law does, what it doesn’t do, and outlines conversations/issues that communities need to be talking about to come up with protocols. It also provides a link to some best practices.

DCJS has also put some information up on their site.  This link has information on a recent brochure that DCJS developed on the new law, a list of law enforcement agencies who are willing to accept firearms, and a link to a new grant opportunity to fund pilot sites for implementing the new law.  In short, there is not a statewide directive for implementation.  Local courts, law enforcement, domestic violence programs and other stakeholders have to come together to come up with a plan for their locality.

7/1/12 New DV/SV Laws in Virginia

This is a Power Point describing some of the new laws as regards domestic and sexual violence that will become effective in Virginia as of 7/1/12.

Are Victims Services Programs Liable for Criminal “Harboring” When They Work with Immigrant Survivors of Crime?

Community-based crime victim advocacy programs that provide services to undocumented immigrant survivors of crimes can minimize risks to their program, funding, employees, and clients by adopting and following policies that take the laws on harboring undocumented immigrants into account. This Advisory answers common questions about providing shelter and other program services to undocumented victims, describes the law and federal policy (as of the Advisory’s publication date), and proposes best practices for programs, but it is not legal advice. Immigration and criminal laws vary from region to region, and federal immigration enforcement policies are constantly changing. Programs should analyze their program-specific risks, their community’s particular needs, and the laws in their jurisdiction—including legal duties associated with an agency’s funding sources—as they design or update program policies. Consulting a local immigration attorney with criminal law experience is highly advisable.

Be Her Resource:  A Toolkit About School Resource Officers and Girls of Color

As the numbers of police in our schools steadily increase, so do the disproportionate rates of discipline against girls of color. In recognition of this reality, Georgetown Law’s Center on Poverty and Inequality and the National Black Women’s Justice Institute conducted focus groups and interviews primarily in the South with girls of color and police officers to gather first-hand information about their interactions. 

Based on this work, this toolkit provides guiding principles and policy recommendations that are designed to improve interactions between girls of color and SROs, with the ultimate goal of reducing these girls’ disproportionate rates of contact with the juvenile justice system.

Exploring the Implications of Virginia’s Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) Code Mandate

In 2009, the Code of Virginia was amended to mandate local sexual response teams (SARTs). As part of a national initiative to explore the impact of mandates on the formation, performance, and efficacy of SARTs, in 2016 the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) partnered with the Sexual Violence Justice Institute (SVJI) to explore the mandate’s implications and gain insight into what SART ecosystems need to become strong and effective. The results of the project were documented in a report titled Cultivating SART Efficacy: Insights on the Impact of the Virginia Sexual Assault Response Team Mandate. The report highlights the ripple effects of the mandate’s passing, lingering questions, and insights and ideas for resources to support SART growth, strength, and sustained success.

TO VIEW THE RECORDED WEBINAR, CLICK HERE. (You will be required to "register" before viewing the recording)

Topics addressed:
·        Impact of the mandate on the growth of Virginia SARTs
·        Impact of the mandate on SART efficacy
·        Challenges of mandate implementation
·        Other notable events that occurred as a result of the mandate
·        7 Elements of a healthy SART Ecosystem
·        Considerations and resources for enhancing SARTs

For More Information, Contact:
Jennifer Kline
(804) 225-3456

Kristina Vadas
(804) 786-7802