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Victim Services

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Victim Services Overview

We provide support, resources, and timely notification for victims of crime whose perpetrators are under the custody of the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC).

Who is a Victim

The Code of Virginia §19.2-11.01 defines a victim of crime as anyone who has suffered physical, psychological, or economic harm as a direct result of a felony or certain misdemeanors. This includes:

  • Spouses and children of all victims
  • Parents, guardians, and siblings of mentally or physically disabled victims or victims of homicide
  • Parents, guardians, and siblings of minor victims
  • Foster parents or other caregivers, under certain circumstances

Register for Notifications

Victims must register with the VADOC Victim Services Unit for notifications. Once registered, you will receive automated phone, text, email, TTY, and/or letter notifications from the Notification and Assistance for Victim Inclusion (NAAVI) system about an inmate while they are in state custody.


Please note that the VADOC’s NAAVI notification service is not connected to VINE notifications at local jails. You must register directly with the VADOC to receive notifications about inmates under state custody.


The registration form is also available in Spanish.

register

Services

As a victim of crime, the following services are available to you:

Advocacy, training, and education efforts on your behalf

We respond to threats, harassment, or unwanted contact from an inmate under VADOC custody; provide training on our post-sentencing, trauma-informed services; conduct basic skills training for correctional professionals; and serve as victim subject matter experts on committees and within the VADOC.

Notification of inmate’s status updates

Notification through NAAVI includes information on an inmate’s transfer, release, death, name change, work release status, escape, recapture, parole interview, and parole decision.

Local referrals and support information

We provide short- and long-term support, referrals to local providers, assist in determining proper referrals to support services, and maintain a community services referral database.

Victim-centered programs

Our Victim-Offender Dialogue Program enables a victim to participate in a facilitated dialogue with the perpetrator. Victims and survivors can also participate in guest speaking opportunities, like the Victim Impact Program, to give voice to their experience.

Accompaniment to hearings

Our team accompanies victims to Victim Impact Programming and other speaking engagements. We also provide support as requested by the Virginia Parole Board and the Attorney General Office’s Victim Notification Program.

Explanation of the incarceration, probation, parole, and re-entry processes

We serve as a guide for victims during the post-sentencing phase of the Virginia criminal justice system. We provide information about inmate intake, classification, time calculation, and release planning. Victims receive assistance and information about the re-entry plan, including safety planning, service referrals, and assistance with the transition to community corrections.

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