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Victim-Witness Program
The Victim-Witness Coordinator for the VCU Police Department is Corporal Jody Atkins. She can be located at 938 West
Grace Street, Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm. She can also be contacted by
phone at (804) 828-8696 or you may leave an email message by
clinking on:
Jody Atkins.
The fax number is (804) 827-6700.
For your information:
The statewide hotline number for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault,
and stalking is 1-800-838-8238, and the Richmond YWCA offers free counseling and
support groups. You may contact them by calling (804) 643-6761.
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CRIME VICTIM AND WITNESS RIGHTS
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| As a victim or witness of crime, you have certain rights under
Virginia's Crime Victim and Witness Rights Act. There are specific
steps you must take to receive these rights (see below for a brief
summary). For detailed information, obtain a copy of "An
Informational Guide to Virginia's Crime and Witness Rights Act" from
your local victim-witness program, commonwealth's attorney's office,
police department or sheriff's office, or the Virginia Department of
Criminal Justice Services.
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As the victim of a crime,
you may be entitled to:
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Information about:
- protection financial assistance and social services, including the
Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund (crime victims' compensation)
address and telephone number confidentiality (see step below)
closed preliminary hearing or use of closed-circuit
television, if you were the victim of a sexual offense
separate waiting area during court proceedings
- the right to remain in the courtroom during criminal trial or
proceeding
Assistance in:
- obtaining protection obtaining property held by law enforcement agencies
intercession services with your employer
obtaining advanced notice of court proceedings (see step 2 below)
receiving the services of an interpreter
preparing a Victim Impact Statement
- seeking restitution
Notification of:
- changes in court dates (see step 2 below)
changes in the status of the defendant, if he/she is being
held in a jail or a correctional facility (see step 3 below)
- the opportunity to prepare a written Victim Impact Statement
prior to the sentencing of a defendant
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As the witness of a crime,
you may be entitled to:
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Information about:
- protection address and telephone number confidentiality
- a separate waiting area during court proceedings
Assistance in:
- obtaining protection receiving intercession services with your employer
- receiving the services of an interpreter
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Steps you need to take to receive
confidentiality, notification, or release information:
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- Confidentiality: To request confidentiality, you must file a
Request for Confidentiality by Crime Victim Form (DC-301) with the magistrate, court, commonwealth's
attorney, or law enforcement agency in the locality where the crime occurred.
- Court Dates: You must give the commonwealth's attorney your
current name, address, and telephone number, in writing, if you wish to be notified in advance of the
scheduled court dates for preliminary hearings, trials, sentence hearings and other proceedings in
your case.
- Information about release or status of defendant: You must
give the sheriff, jail superintendant, or Department of Corrections your current name, address,
telephone number and defendant name, in writing, if you wish to be notified about the changes in the
status of the defendant or inmate.
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