Victim Services Unit

Table Of Contents

• Donate to the Victim Services Unit
• Welcome
• Victims’ Rights
• Victim Services Unit - Staff
• What We Do
• Advocacy
• Domestic Violence Crimes
• Sexual Violence/ Assault/ Abuse
• Child Abuse/ Neglect/ Exploitation
• Elder Abuse/ Neglect/ Exploitation
• DUI causing injury or death
• Severe Traffic Incidents as determined by assessment
• Stalking/ Harassment
• Advocates During Prosecution
• Criminal Justice System
• Personal Safety
• A Guide to Protection Orders
• How to Apply for a Protection Order
• Reactions to Trauma
• Community Resources
• Financial Compensation Programs
• Front Desk
• Volunteering
• RPD Dectective's Victim's Resource Guide

Victims’ Rights

Victims of violent crime in Nevada have legal rights and protections. These laws also extend to the surviving family members of a homicide victim, or to the parent, guardian, or other relative of a minor, disabled, or incompetent victim. The Reno Police Department wants to ensure you are aware of these rights.

Nevada Revised Statues recognize the following needs and rights of crime victims:

1. You have the right to know the status of the case in which you are involved..
2. You have the right to be free from intimidation or dissuasion.
3. You have the right to know when your impounded property can be released.
4. You have the right to receive a witness fee for lawful obedience to a subpoena.
5. You have the right to understand the existing victim compensation laws and receive compensation if applicable
6. You have the right to a secure waiting area, which is not available to the defendant or his/her family, when you are at court.
7. You have the right to be heard at sentencing.
8. You have the right to know when the defendant is released from custody before or during trial. (upon written request).
9. You have the right to know when the offender is released from prison (upon written request.)

The justice system can be a complicated process leaving you with more questions than answers. You can advocate for your rights and receive the information you request. You can know what is happening to your case. You can give your opinion and share your concerns. You have the right to be heard and informed.

It may be reassuring to know that it will be possible for you to feel that you’ve done everything you can for self-care, recovery, and healing.

Victim Services Unit - Staff

The Victim Services Unit provides services to victims of crimes and/or their families/survivors. They provide information, resources, and support throughout the criminal justice process.

Download the Victim Services Brochure:

Victim Services Brochure - English

Victim Services Brochure - Spanish

What We Do:

Your victim advocate within Law Enforcement will support, protect, and work to maintain your best interests. The victim advocate provides crisis intervention, support, safety planning, immediate basic need assistance, property return, assistance filing compensation forms and referral services.

To speak with a victim advocate, contact the agency at which your case was reported.

The essential services the VSU provides are unique to the situation and individuals. The primary focus is to address the immediate health and safety of the victim. VSU Advocates respond directly to victims immediately after a crime has been committed and will thoroughly assess their needs to provide the appropriate services. These services may include:

Recovery after being the victim of a crime takes both time and the support of others. The VSU is here to help. Victims experience an array of feelings and reactions that are normal and important to the healing process. During many of these traumatic situations the added confusion of dealing with an unfamiliar criminal justice system is introduced. The VSU helps to provide a foundation for victims and their families by offering information and support. We can provide emotional support and practical assistance to crime victims, witnesses, and their family members.

Advocacy

The Victim Services Unit, located in the Detectives unit of the Reno Police Department, provides Advocacy to victims of violent crime. VSU Advocates are connected to victims via law enforcement, criminal and civil justice systems, community organizations and self referrals. Although many times a report has been filed, it is not required to access VSU services.

The following is a list of violent crimes VSU may respond to including a link for additional information and community resources.

• Domestic Violence and Related Offenses
• Sexual violence/Assault/Abuse
• Child Abuse/Neglect/Exploitation
• Elder Abuse/Neglect/Exploitation
• DUI causing injury or death: opens in new window causing injury or death
• Severe Traffic Incidents as determined by assessment
• Stalking/Harassment
• Homicide
• Hate Crimes
• Gang Violence
• Other Crimes as determined by assessment

Domestic Violence Crimes

Definition: Domestic violence generally is defined as a violent crime committed in the context of an intimate relationship. It is a crime involving the use of power, coercion and violence to control another.

Domestic violence is different from other random crimes because a perpetrator and victim are not strangers. Instead they are intimate partners, family members or parents of common children. This relationship, therefore, binds a victim to his or her perpetrator. For example, the victim may rely on the perpetrator for economic support or child support. Ongoing domestic violence is characterized by a pattern of escalating abuse in which one partner in the relationship controls the other through force, deprivation and/or the threat of deprivation or violence.

Pursuant to NRS 171.1225, the Reno Police Department would like to ensure that you have reasonable means to prevent further abuse by advising you of resources available in the community.

If you've reported your crime to RPD, the officer will provide you with this form, often called the 'VINE form' or 'yellow sheet' as it will be printed on yellow paper.

VINE Form ENGLISH

Resources:

Sexual Violence/ Assault/ Abuse

Definition: A statutory offense that provides that it is a crime to knowingly cause another person to engage in an unwanted sexual act by force or threat.

Resources:

Sexual Violence Victim Rights (ENGLISH)

Sexual Violence Victim Rights (SPANISH)

Child Abuse/ Neglect/ Exploitation

Elder Abuse/ Neglect/ Exploitation

Definition: Elder Abuse, Neglect and Exploitations is generally defined as any knowing, intentional, or negligent act causing harm or risk of harm to a person 65 years of age or older. Losses associated with abuse can be devastating to an individual and include the loss of independence, shelter, monetary savings, health, dignity, and security.

Elderly persons may be abused in a variety of ways, including physically and emotionally. Physical abuse is a non-accidental use of force against a person that results in physical pain, injury, or impairment. Such abuse includes not only physical assaults such as hitting or shoving but the inappropriate use of drugs, restraints, or confinement. Emotional abuse includes infliction of mental or emotional anguish or distress through verbal or nonverbal acts.

Neglect of an elderly person is the refusal or failure by a caregiver to provide food, shelter, health care and/or protection. This may include the abandonment and desertion by someone who has taken the responsibility to care for that person.

Exploitation often consists of illegal and unauthorized taking, misuse, or concealment of funds, property or assets.

Warning Signs: Elder Abuse, Neglect and Exploitations symptoms may be hard to recognize and it is important not to dismiss the warning signs. Some physical indications an individual may have been abused include unexplained fractures, bruises, welts or burns. Emotional symptoms may include fear, depression, change in appetite, and a reduction in personal hygiene.

Resources:

DUI causing injury or death

Definition: Drunk or drugged driving is a crime which can affect a victim physically, emotionally and financially. This crime can affect not only the victim with possible trauma and /or disfigurement, but also victim’s family members in the case of death and the loss of a loved one.

These victims of drunk driving crashes are not hurt accidently, rather it is a result of two choices made by the offender:

1. To use alcohol and/or other drugs and
2. To get behind the wheel.

Resources:

Severe Traffic Incidents as determined by assessment

Definition: Many problems are frequent after severe road traffic accidents. An intervention following trauma has been widely recommended as a means of helping with initial distress, and also of preventing later post traumatic stress symptoms.

Resources:

Stalking/ Harassment

Definitions:

"Course of conduct" means a pattern of conduct which consists of a series of acts over time that evidences a continuity of purpose directed at a specific person.

Protection Orders

Reno Justice Court provides the system to obtain a Stalking/Harassment Order of protection. This is different from at Domestic Violence Temporary Protection Order as it does not require a relationship as criteria for issuance. Call Reno Justice Court-Civil Division at 775-325-6501 or visit Washoe County's website details and to download application forms.

An application/Petition must be completed and given to the clerk before it can be submitted to the judge for review and consideration to grant the Order of Protection. The Petition itself is NOT a legal order until the judge enters a Temporary Order and the adverse party is served.

PLEASE NOTE: This is not a Domestic Violence Temporary Protection Order. If you are requesting an Order and have an intimate relationship (i.e.: husband, wife, current or ex-boyfriend/girlfriend, or have a child in common, etc.) with the adverse party, contact the Temporary Protection Order office at 328-3127.

For a guide to protection orders, please click here.

After you APPLY:

• Usually a clerk will contact you in about 24 hours (business days) to let you know if the Temporary Order has been approved or denied by the Judge.
• If the Order is approved, you will be advised of the court date, which will be within 30 days, and when you must appear in court. On the court date, the judge will determine if an Extended Order should be granted. If it is, the Temporary Order becomes an Extended Order and can be in effect for a period of up to one year.
• Upon receiving the original order and/or after leaving the court with the extended order, you MUST have the Temporary Order served upon the Respondent by a licensed process server or the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office (located on the 3rd floor of the court building). The Temporary Order is not valid until it is served upon the adverse party.
• You will receive multiple copies of the Temporary Order and must keep at least one with you at all times. The Process Server will need TWO (2) copies to serve the Adverse Party and the other FOUR (4) should be kept by you.
• If the Respondent violates the terms of the Order once it is served, call Law Enforcement to report the violation. If at any time, you are in danger, call 9-1-1. In any interaction with Law Enforcement Personnel, please notify them you have an Order and show them both your copy of the Order AND the Proof of Service to the Adverse Party.
• Law Enforcement may or may not arrest the Adverse Party when called on a violation depending on the determination by the Officer present. If the Officer decides it is appropriate to submit the report to the Washoe County District Attorney’s Office for further review, the D.A. will then make the decision as to whether to file criminal charges against the Adverse Party on the violation which then follows the regular criminal process (may include: arrest, booking, posting of bail, arraignment and trial).

Advocates During Prosecution

The prosecutor (also known as the Deputy District Attorney or Deputy City Attorney) is an attorney that works for the District Attorney’s Office of the City Attorney’s Office. This person is employed by County or City government to prosecute the offender. Prosecutors are not paid by the victims or their family members.

The District Attorney’s Office or City Attorney’s Office provides trained victims advocates that are available for questions. The advocates are the victim’s main contract once the case has been transferred to the District Attorney’s Office or City Attorney’s Office from a law enforcement agency. The advocate will be present at all court settings to provide support and information for victims and their families.

Your District Attorney’s Office or City Attorney’s Office can provide a trained advocate to walk you through the Criminal Justice System.

Criminal Justice System

The following information is provided to help you understand the roles of the various departments and offices you may encounter from investigation of a crime through possible court proceedings.

• Police Investigation

• Working with a victim advocate from the law enforcement agency and/or the District Attorney’s Office is the best way to keep tabs on what is happening with your case.
• Law enforcement investigates for probable cause to make an arrest and/or present a sworn complaint to the District Attorney or City Attorney.
• Interviewing witnesses and collecting evidence can be a timely process. If enough evidence is found, a case will be presented to the prosecutor.

• Grand Jury/Preliminary Hearing

• Prosecution must establish that there is a reasonable cause to believe that the defendant committed the criminal offense.
• As the victim, your presence is required at the Preliminary Hearing and you must testify at a Grand Jury Hearing.

• Arraignment & Plea

• The defendant will be informed of the charges and of the right to an attorney.
• The judge will decide if the defendant may be released on bail. This determination is made based upon many factors including: the nature of the offense, evidence, employment status, mental condition, and ties to the community.

• Trial

• The trial is held to determine if the prosecution can show, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the defendant committed the crimes for which he or she was accused.
• The decision is made by a jury of twelve members of the community. In the case of a non-jury trial, this decision is made by the judge.
• The victim will usually be called upon to testify.
• At any stage, with permission of the court, the District Attorney/City Attorney may allow the defendant to plea to a lesser negotiated crime.

• Sentencing

• Defendants will be acquitted (found not guilty) or convicted (found guilty) by the judge or jury.
• A separate sentencing date will be scheduled and victims have the right to make a statement at this time.
• The judge will determine the consequences for the crime and a sentence will be imposed.
• Whatever the sentence, the victim advocate from the District Attorney’s Office or City Attorney’s Office will help ensure the safety of a victim or a victim’s family. Victims have the right to be heard at all future proceedings regarding the sentencing or release of a convicted person.
• If an offender is in custody of the Nevada Department of Corrections, contact the Victim Services Unit for notification of parole hearings or release, PO Box 7011, Carson City, NV 89702, 775-887-3393, victiminfo@doc.nv.gov

As the victim or witness, your role is critical. You have seen, heard, known or experienced something that is important to the investigation and prosecution of the case. You may be interviewed by law enforcement to identify perpetrator(s), to help in finding the crime scene, or to identify stolen property. Please keep the agencies advised of where you are living and how you can be contacted. Each case in unique. Please contact a victim’s advocate for assistance in navigating the criminal justice system.

Personal Safety

As a victim of crime, you have the right to protect your personal safety. It is important to recognize that even the most careful person cannot prevent all crimes. However, you can increase your level of safety to protect yourself from future victimizations. One way to protect yourself is to develop a safety plan or seek a protection order.

For a safety plan:

Write out a safety plan so you can evaluate the risks and benefits of your different options. When creating a safety plan, consider:

• Who do you need to protect? (yourself, children, family)
• Where is the protection needed? (going to your car, leaving work, school)
• Where can you go to get help?
• What essentials do you need in order to leave a situation if you are feeling unsafe?(personal documents, keys, important phone numbers, etc.)

If the offender is living your home, it is recommended that you keep your written safety plan in a secure place where the offender is not likely to find it. If you’re unable to find a secure place to keep a written safety plan, ask a friend, family member, or an advocate to keep a copy for you.

Practice your safety plan on a regular basis, as if it were a "fire drill." Think of some "what if" situations, and try to figure out how you would respond in a variety of environments (for example, at home, at work, at school, in public).

Plan to protect yourself from the people most likely to victimize you, including, but not limited to, acquaintances, strangers, peers, and family members.

When the offender has been arrested, you have a right to be notified if the offender is released from jail. To receive a notification, you must register with VINE (Victim Information Notification Everyday) either by phone 1-888-268-8463 or online at vinelink.com.

If you need assistance with person safety for help, more resources are available to you:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
• Nevada Confidential Address Program: 1-888-432-6189

A Guide to Protection Orders

Choose the type of Protection Order you need information on.

Court Locations

* For a Sexual Assault Order, apply at the Family Court if the victim has a "domestic relationship" (i.e., related by blood, marriage, living together, child in common, or dating) with the suspect. Otherwise, apply at Justice Court.

How to Apply for a Protection Order

After-Hours Emergency Domestic Violence Order

1. The following eligibility conditions MUST be met in order for you to apply:
   1. The suspect who committed domestic battery has just been arrested, currently in jail.
   2. It is a weekend, holiday, or after 5PM on a weekday (i.e., the court is closed) at the time that you need to apply for the order.
2. Call (775) 352-5000 immediately to speak to a staff member who will guide you through the process

Temporary Protection Order (TPO) Against Domestic Violence

1. Fill out and a Protection Order Application in-person at the Family Court
2. Interview with the Protection Order Advocate, who will conduct the initial screening of your case.
3. Interview with the Court Judge, who decides whether to issue a Protection Order.

All other Protection Orders

1. Fill out and submit a Protection Order Application in-person at the Justice Court*
2. A Judge will review your application and will either grant or deny the order. The court clerk will notify you of the Judge’s decision.
3. If the Protection Order is granted, you must retrieve the order from the Court and submit it to the appropriate Law Enforcement Agency for service.

* For a Sexual Assault Order, whether you are to apply at Family Court vs. Justice Court depends on the victim’s relationship to the suspect. If the victim has a "domestic relationship" (i.e., related by blood, marriage, living together, child in common, or dating) with the suspect, apply at Family Court. If the victim does not have a domestic relationship with the suspect, apply at Justice Court.

What to Bring When Applying

You are NOT required to file a written police report before applying for a Protection Order. There is NO COST associated with obtaining a Protection Order, and an attorney is NOT NECESSARY. The following items aren’t required to obtain a Protection Order. However, if any apply to your situation and you have them available, it is suggested that you bring:

This document was last updated on 1/12 by Sexual Assault Support Services, Crisis Call Center, (775) 784-8085, crisiscallcenter.org. Court procedures and policies are subject to change, so please contact the courts directly if you have any questions.

Reactions to Trauma

Financial Compensation Programs

As a victim of violent crime, you may be eligible for help with expenses. Services may include:

• Hospital and ambulance bills
• Necessary medical equipment such as a wheelchair
• Hospital and Ambulance bills
• Medical and Dental treatment
• Mental Health Counseling
• Wage or income loss
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of support, for dependents of a deceased victim
• Emergency Shelter and Relocation costs
• Insurance co-payments
• Crime scene cleanup
• Medically necessary equipment such as a wheelchair
• Vision prosthetics and eyeglass replacement
• childcare costs incurred because of the crime
• Home Health Care
• Prescription Medication
• Home Security Repair

Victims of Crime Program

1050 E. Williams St. #400
Carson City, NV 89701
775-687-8428
Fax: 775-687-8411
www.voc.nv.gov

Victims of DUI

• If you are a surviving victim of a DUI crash or a family member of fatal victims of a DUI crash, in addition to the Victims of Crime Program, you may qualify for financial assistance. The Northern Nevada DUI Task Force has limited funds to assist victims financially. Contact a DUI advocate by calling 775-883-4715 or emailing them at duitaskforce@yahoo.com. Additional information is also available at www.nndtf.org.

Victims of Sexual Assault

• You may contact the Victim Witness Assistance Center (VWAC) at 775-328-3210 for additional assistance. In order to qualify for assistance, a police report needs to be on file, but prosecution is not necessary.

Please note that agencies determine eligibility on a case-by-case basis.

Front Desk

Front Desk Locations
911 Kuenzli Street in the Reno Police Department, Main Station
Hours - 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday – Saturday
After hours, please ring the buzzer for assistance.

File an Online Report

Click here for information on how to obtain a copy of your report.

Volunteering with the Victim Services Unit

VSU is not currently recruiting for volunteers at this time. Please check back in the future for new opportunities

Internships: Due to the nature of the internship and the timeframe needed for application processing and background interviews, applications need to be received by the following dates:

FALL INTERNSHIPS: APPLICATIONS DUE BY MAY 1

SPRING INTERNSHIPS: APPLICATION DEADLINE AUGUST 1ST.

VSU Internship Application

Mail applications to:
Reno Police Department
Victim Services Unit
Attn: Paula Hlade
P.O. Box 1900
Reno, NV 89505

Fax Attention to:
Paula Hlade
(775) 334-2227

Or Deliver to:
Reno Police Department
Attn: Paula Hlade
911 Kuenzli Street
Reno, NV 89502

Because interns will be working in a police department, you must be 18 years of age or older, provide references, pass a criminal history background check, and attend mandatory trainings.

Victim's Resource Guide

Please follow this link to view the RPD Detectives Victim's Resource Guide