LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. — A pilot program is launching in Loudoun County to better serve victims of domestic violence and other related crimes.
The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) announced the launch of the Victim Advocate Unit (VAU), within its Criminal Investigations Division, on Tuesday as a pilot program to better help victims.
Officials say in the past year, since Sept. 30, the police department has received over 1,100 calls for service related to domestic violence, including calls related to verbal and/or misdemeanor and physical assaults. The VAU's purpose is to intervene immediately as cases are referred from the LSCO's Domestic Violence Unit or other units to ensure victims get the help they need, regardless of whether the incident involves criminal charges.
“Many of the stressors that contribute to domestic incidents can be addressed through support services available here in Loudoun County,” said Sheriff Mike Chapman. “Connecting individuals with these services right away will help them in their time of crisis and may prevent more incidents from occurring.”
Adding that, “Our Victim Advocate Unit will be an immediate resource for domestic violence and other crime victims, who often don’t know where to go for help in highly stressful situations and before long-term assistance can be secured."
Examples of VAU outreach include providing referrals to juvenile support services, assisting with applications for the Virginia Victims Fund, and providing resources for those facing financial and housing challenges. VAU will work together with LAWS Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services and other stakeholders.
Initial staffing for the new unit will include two LCSO detectives and a sergeant. Their assignment to the VAU represents a reallocation of the LCSO’s currently budgeted resources, and the team has been working together since the summer to develop this initiative.
Officials say the pilot period of this new program is expected to last up to 18 months. Once this pilot period is complete, the LCSO contemplates a more comprehensive program that would ultimately be managed by civilian personnel and expand beyond domestic violence to include victims of other serious personal and property crimes where there is an identifiable gap in service.
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