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.
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 reference list provides a compilation of reports, articles, websites and practical information for communities interested in addressing or learning more about the topic of children exposed to domestic violence and trauma-informed practices. Particular focus was placed on best or promising practices.
This contact list provides the current names and contact information of participating partners in the Virginia Community Defined Solutions partnership grant.
The Cirriculum includes all materials distributed at the Leadership Institute June 27-29, 2012.