Domestic Violence (Cont'd)...
Victim Advocate Program
Salt Lake City's Victim Advocate Program has been developed to address the immediate needs of victims of violent crimes. The Victim Advocate Program is dedicated to assist, support, and provide information on available resources to the victims of crime.
Services
The Victim Advocate Program offers support, referral, and direct services. All services are free! Support services include providing technical assistance by assisting victims with court documents, police procedures, and advocacy through the criminal justice Referral services include providing information and referrals pertaining to victim's rights, support groups, translation, counseling centers, and monetary support agencies. Direct services include providing transportation from our office to court and attending court with victims in a support capacity.
The program also offers the following services to the public free of charge:
- Court advocacy for victims involved in the judicial process. Advocates are available to attend court hearings pertaining to their cases.
- Assistance with protective orders in domestic violence cases. Advocates will be available to answer questions regarding protective orders as well as direct victims where to go to file the necessary documents.
- Community education provided to community and/or business groups on issues of domestic violence, sexual assault, homicide, child abuse, elder abuse, and stalking.
- On-scene crisis intervention.
The purpose of the safety plan is to think ahead so that when the situation becomes dangerous you can escape the situation faster and with more options.
- Always keep some money hidden.
- Have an extra set of keys for the house and car.
- Establish a "code" with family and friends to notify them that you have left to seek safety.
- Do not hesitate to contact the police!
- Notify neighbors to be alert to strange or loud noises. Additionally, have them watch for any events at home that have changed. (i.e. mail or newspapers left unattended) Instruct them to contact the police if they are unsure.
- Ask friends and co-workers to contact the police for any unexplained changes in your routine (unexplained lateness or absences to planned events).
- Remove all weapons in the house.
- Contact Victim's Advocate Program for additional assistance and support. We are here to help ensure your safety.
Salt Lake City Victim Advocate Program Lethality Assessment
By Dan Greene, L.C.S.W. and the Treatment Sub Committee of the SLADVC Victim Advocacy Office
Assessment of lethality in domestic violence cases is a difficult and uncertain task and no clinician can infallibly predict that a domestic violence perpetrator will or will not seriously harm or kill his/her partner or others.
Lethality assessment and evaluation process to assist the clinician in determining a comprehensive diagnostic profile. Moreover, clinicians should continuously monitor lethality factor throughout the course of treatment to detect changes that may occur in any critical indicators.
Scales Yes=1 No=0
- Has the perpetrator verbally threatened to kill or harm the victim, children, or others?
- Has the perpetrator threatened to harm or kill himself/herself, the victim or others, or has he/she exhibited fantasies or detailed plans of suicide and/or homicide
- Does the perpetrator possess weapons and has he/she threatened the victim or actually used them in abusing the victim or others?
- Has the perpetrator injured the victim, children or others, seriously enough to require medical treatment?
- Does the perpetrator have a criminal history of violence?
- Is the perpetrator intoxicated on a daily basis or does he/she heavily or regularly use amphetamines, heroin or other street drugs and does the perpetrator become violent when abusing substances?
- Has the perpetrator broken a protective order or restraining order in the past?
- Has the domestic violence increased in severity and scope over the past year?
- Does the perpetrator have a history of stalking behaviors?
- Has the perpetrator threatened or abused children?
- Has the perpetrator forced sexual activities upon spouse or children?
- Has the perpetrator ever prevented the victim or children from leaving by threatening physical harm to self or others if left?
- Does the perpetrator have a physical or medical condition that contributes to violence?
- Has the victim recently separated from or terminated the relationship with the perpetrator?
- Has the perpetrator harmed or killed family pets or threatened to do so?
- Does the perpetrator have a history of violence in his/her family origin?
- Has the perpetrator destroyed the victim's personal property?
- Has the perpetrator dropped out of treatment or been non-compliant in a domestic violence treatment program?
- Does the perpetrator have chronic, severe mental health problems?
- Does the perpetrator exhibit excessive jealousy?
Scoring:
Even one "yes" indicates the possibility of continued threat of harm and interventions should be employed to protect the victim.
0-5 low 6-10 moderate
11-15 high
16-20 severe
Contact Resources
| Crisis/Information Line | 580-7969 |
| State Domestic Violence Info Line | 1-800-897-5465 |
| Victim Advocacy Office | 799-3756 |
| Information Line | 580-7969 |
| Mobile Response Team available after office hours as well as regular hours | |
Additional Information and Resource Centers
Emergency Shelters
Protective Orders and Stalking Injunctions
Offender Information
General Victim Resources