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Victim-Witness Program

If you are a victim or witness to a crime, VCU campus police is here to help take care of your needs, including counseling, medical or academic help. The victim-witness specialist for the VCU Police Department is Cpl. Jody Atkins. She is located at 938 W. Grace St., Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. She can be contacted by email or phone at (804) 828-8696.

For your information:

The statewide hotline number for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking is (800) 838-8238, and the Richmond YWCA offers free counseling and support groups. You may contact them by calling (804) 643-6761.

Crime victim and witness rights

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, sheriff’s office or the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services.

As the victim of a crime, you may be entitled to:

  • Protection
  • Financial assistance
  • Social services, including the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund (crime victims’ compensation)
  • Address and telephone number confidentiality
  • Closed preliminary hearing or use of closed-circuit television
  • Separate waiting area during court proceedings if you were the victim of a sexual offense
  • The right to remain in the courtroom during criminal trial or proceeding

Assistance in:

  • Obtaining protection
  • Obtaining property held by law enforcement agencies
  • Receiving intercession services with your employer
  • Obtaining advance notice of court proceedings (see Step 2 below)
  • Receiving the services of an interpreter
  • Preparing a Victim Impact Statement
  • Seeking restitution

You may be notified 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

As the witness of a crime, you may be entitled to:

  • Protection
  • Address and telephone number confidentiality
  • A separate waiting area during court proceedings

You may receive assistance in:

  • Obtaining protection
  • Receiving intercession services with your employer
  • Receiving the services of an interpreter

Steps you need to take to receive confidentiality, notification or release information

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Information about release or status of defendant: You must give the sheriff, jail superintendent 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.