While law enforcement addresses criminal aspects of domestic violence and sexual assault (DVSA) victims often have diverse needs far beyond what the legal system addresses, such as medical care, mental health services, emergency shelter, and childcare. Referrals from law enforcement to community-based service providers are important for helping victims address those diverse needs while building trust, supporting victim empowerment, and encouraging participation in the criminal justice process.  

Community-based advocates or community-based service providers are non-government entities that work within the community. These agencies provide a wide range of support services to meet survivors’ needs. Many community-based advocates have levels of confidentiality and privilege afforded to their communications with survivors. Agency-based or system-based advocates generally operate as part of a law enforcement agency or prosecutor's office and help victims navigate the criminal justice system and understand their rights. Both types of victim service providers are necessary to ensure that the victim receives adequate services and support through the criminal justice process and beyond. 

The sections below provide examples of agencies in three stages of development:  

Lagging Behind, when an agency does not have a formal policy or the practices are outdated and/or harmful; 

Making Progress, when an agency uses practices that are considered the minimum standard; and  

Leading the Way, when an agency has researched promising practices and implements best practices tailored to the needs of victims. 

The examples provided below are not exhaustive for each category; they are only meant to illustrate the types of practices common at each stage.  

  • The agency has a pamphlet with victim services referral information available for patrol officers to give to victims of DVSA crimes. 

  • For large agencies, there are no victim services staff assigned to assist patrol or detective squads, but are available to help connect victims to community-based support services. 

  • Law enforcement personnel and advocates may have a distrustful relationship with one another. 

  • The agency has in-house, system-based victim advocates (typically at larger agencies), or works closely with community-based advocates to make appropriate referrals for services.  
  • Advocates do not respond to the scene of DVSA calls but are available to assist victims through the investigation process. 
  • Law enforcement officers and victim services advocates have a working relationship.   
  • Victims are provided clear information on the roles of agency-based and community-based advocates and what information each may share with law enforcement.  

  • Officers have a positive relationship with system- and community-based advocates, and consistently provide referrals for victims of DVSA crimes.   

  • Agency-based advocates respond to the scene of DVSA reports to immediately start victim support services and assist the responding officer(s) if possible.   

  • Advocates are co-located with officers in the patrol districts (as applicable, based on agency size).   

  • Agency-based and community-based advocates work seamlessly to provide wrap-around victim assistance to help the victim throughout the investigative process and beyond.   

  • If there is an agency-based victim services unit, its head reports directly to the chief executive of the agency.       ​​ 

  • ​​​Refers and/or provides assistance through victim compensation programs, medical services, and other victim services available.     ​​ 

  • The head of the systems-based advocacy unit is a non-sworn professional staff member with victim advocacy experience.   

Explore the resources below for guidance on how to move beyond “Lagging Behind” and “Making Progress” to “Leading the Way.” 

This project was supported by Grant No. 15JOVW-22-GK-04008-MUMU, awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed on this page are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Justice.