Victim's Advocate: Assistance to Victims of Domestic or Family Violence

Victim’s Advocate: Assistance to Victims of Domestic or Family Violence. (a) There is hereby established within the Office of the Attorney General the Office of the Victim’s Advocate which shall provide assistance to victims of domestic or family violence. The Victim’s Advocate may enter into a contract with a private agency or organization that has a record of service to victims of domestic or family violence to provide assistance. (b) The duties of the Victim’s Advocate include but are not limited to the following: (1) Informing victims of domestic or family violence of their rights pursuant to the Victims Rights Act and assisting victims in securing those rights; (2) Informing victims of the availability of orders for protection and assisting victims in obtaining such order; (3) Providing interpreters, if practicable, for cases involving domestic or family violence, including requests for orders for protection; (4) Informing victims of the availability of shelter, counseling, and other social services; and (5) Providing victims with safety plans and assisting victims in preparing the plans. (c) The Victim’s Advocate shall coordinate the provision of services and programs for victims of domestic or family violence. Source: PL 12-19, § 2 (213).