Title
Resolution Approving the City of Hampton, Virginia's Participation in and Appropriation of the 2016-2017 Virginia Domestic Violence Victim Fund Program through the Hampton Commonwealth's Attorney's Office from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
The Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Victims Fund provides funding specifically for the prosecution of violent crimes against women and sexual assaults against men, women and children. The types of offenses prosecuted include: violation of protective orders; assault and battery against a family or household member; rape, sodomy and object sexual penetration; and aggravated sexual battery and sexual battery. The prosecutor works closely with detectives of the Hampton Police Division (HPD) who are assigned to investigate these types of cases as well as other professionals such as sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) from Hampton Sentara Hospital as well as Riverside Regional Medical Center.
In addition, the prosecutor serves as a member of Hampton's Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) which is comprised of the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office, Victim Witness Services, HPD, SANE Nurses, Hampton University and Thomas Nelson Community College.
Discussion:
The prosecution of sexual assault cases provides a tremendous benefit to the City of Hampton. The City contributes $48,284, as part of the annual allocation for the Victim Witness program within the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office to support the sexual assault prosecutor's position. The other funding source for this position is from the Department of Criminal Justice Services in the amount of $45,000.
Impact:
The Virginia Domestic Violence Victim Fund position consistently adheres to policy initiatives of the city by, participating in the city's Job Performance evaluation process, being actively involved in community and ensures justice is being served in the prosecution of sexual assault cases for the city of Ham...
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