History

In 1994, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department responded to 1,141 domestic violence calls in the unincorporated areas of the county. The Circuit Court Clerk's office issued 1,251 ExParte orders of protection. In response to this level of domestic violence, Sheriff Oliver "Glenn" Boyer initiated a Domestic Violence Victim Services program. The program began with the creation of a professional staff position and the employment of a Domestic Violence Victim Services Coordinator.

Rationale

A Law Enforcement Victim Services Program has a unique advantage in that it can address the needs of victims that may never be served by another agency. Shelters and other victim service agencies must generally wait for the victim to make contact with them. Even a prosecution based victim witness advocate usually does not get involved in cases that are not prosecuted.

A victim's isolation from support systems as a result of the abuse, makes it difficult to reach out for help. A Law Enforcement based victim's advocate can have access to Police reports, initiate contact with victims, inform them that help is available, counsel with them about safety, security and possible options available to them.

Services Available

• Court Forms
• Information about the Judicial System response to family violence
• Information about the Dynamics of Family Violence
• Information about Orders of Protection (Ex Parte)
• Public Information, education and awareness
• Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
• Missouri Victim Automated Notification System (MOVANS)
• Nationwide Victim Notification System - V.I.N.E.S.
• Prosecutors Victim Services Unit