Allegheny Valley Regional Police Department

Victim Service Notification Form

PENNSYLVANIA CRIME VICTIMS

You are not alone… Being a victim of crime can be very hard. You might not be able to focus or remember things. This is all normal for someone who has been a victim of crime.
There are victim advocates that can provide free services to you. They are available to answer your questions and provide supportive counseling
- To find an organization in your county go to www.pcv.pccd.pa.gov and select “Find Help in Your County”
As a victim of crime, you have rights. Got to www.pcv.pccd.pa.gov to see your rights throughout the criminal justice process, including information on how to exercise additional rights if someone is arrested and/or convicted, and learn how to access immediate resources, such as shelter and protection orders, financial assistance and counseling.
If you are the victim of domestic violence, you have the right to go to court and file a petition requesting an order for protection from domestic abuse pursuant to the Protection from Abuse Act (23 Pa.C.S. Ch. 61), which would include the following
- An order restraining the abuser from further acts of abuse;
- An order directing the abuser to leave your household;
- An order preventing the abuser from entering your residence, school, business or place of employment;
- An order awarding you or the other parent temporary custody of or temporary visitation with your child or children;
- An order directing the abuser to pay support to you and the minor children if the abuser has legal obligation to do so.
If you are the victim of sexual violence or intimidation, you have the right to go to court to file a petition requesting Sexual Violence Protection Order (SVPO) pursuant to the Protection from Victims of Sexual Assault or Intimidation Act (42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 62A)

What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic Violence is defined as abusive and/or violent behavior between current or former husband/wife, current or former sexual/intimate partner, parent, child, brother, sister, or other family members.

Forms of Abuse:

Physical: strangling (applying pressure to your throat with their hands and/or an object), punching, pushing, pulling hair, kicking, hitting, slapping, restraining
Emotional/Verbal: destroying property, intimidating behaviors, name calling, threats to harm you, your family and/or pets, keeping you away from friends, and family members
Sexual: performing unwanted sexual acts against your will, physically attacking the sexual parts of your body, and treating you like a sex object
Stalking: following you repeatedly (on foot or vehicle), repeated attempts to contact your (phone calls or letters), harassing you (hang-up calls, unwanted gifts), intimidating you repeatedly (watching you from outside of your home or work)
Financial: hiding and controlling bills, checking, savings, funds, etc…, limiting or denying money

Confidentiality

It is the policy of the Allegheny Valley Regional Police Department to hold confidential all communications, observations, and information made by and between or about our clients, both adults and children. All Officers working for the Allegheny Valley Regional Police Department are expected to abide by this Policy.

Criminal Hearing

If you are a victim of domestic violence, call 911 as soon as possible. The police will respond and the defendant may be arrested. However, if you have visible injuries, the police must arrest under Pennsylvania Law. Once an arrest is made, the Police may ask you submit a written statement of the events and possibly take pictures of your injuries. The defendant will be arraigned and a preliminary hearing will be scheduled at your local District Justice. An assistant District Attorney will discuss the case with you, as well as, your options, however, only the District Justice has the power to withdrawal the charges completely. You have the options at the preliminary hearing such as:

The defendant may be ordered to anger management classes;
The defendant may be ordered to drug and alcohol evaluation & treatment;
The defendant may be ordered to a mental health evaluation & treatment.

If you choose not to attend the preliminary hearing, a subpoena can be issued. Once a subpoena is issued, you must show up for court. If you do not, you may be arrested.

Private Criminal Complaints

If you are a victim of domestic violence and the police have not pressed charges, you can file charges on your own by speaking with the District Attorney at your local District Justice office. He or she will meet with you and discuss the situation. Private Criminal Complaints can be filed for harassment, stalking, trespassing, etc. Please call your local District Justice for times and dates that the District Attorney will be in the office.

Legal Advocates are available to attend criminal hearings, PFA hearings, Indirect Criminal Contempt hearings, and others upon request. Please call Alle-Kiski Area HOPE Cneter toll-free number (724) 224-1266 and ask to speak with a Legal Advocate.

Protection from Abuse Orders (PFA)

The Court can protect you and your family by:

Ordering the abuser from abusing, threatening, harassing, and/or stalking you and your children
Evicting or excluding the abuser from your home
Awarding temporary custody of your minor children
Prohibiting the abuser from having any contact with you and your children, either in person, by telephone, in writing, or through 3rd persons, (this applies to any place where you may be found including schools, business, work)

You do not need any visible injuries to apply for a PFA. A PFA may be granted if the person has placed you in fear of bodily injury, tried to or has caused you physical harm, sexually assaulted you, or retrained you from leaving a room or area. You may file against a family or household member, current or former spouse, and current or former intimate partner.

Indirect Criminal Comtempt (ICC)

A violation of a PFA (ICC) shall result in an arrest. If your PFA is violated, contact your local Police Department. If the Police do not arrest, an ICC warramt can be issued by your local District Justice or night court. You will need to take a copy of your PFA and request to file for an indirect criminal contempt.

Where to Apply for a PFA

Emergency PFA’s can be filed at your local Magisterial District Justice. Please contact your local District Justice for hours of operation. Emergency PFA’s can be filed at the Municipal Court Building, 660 First Avenue, in Pittsburgh after 11 A.M. Monday-Friday and 24 hours a day on the weekend. Emergency PFA’s are only valid until the end of the next business day at 5 P.M.

Applications for a Temporary PFA are accepted every Monday through Friday between 8:30 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. with temporary hearings being heard that day around 11:30 A.M. If a Temporary PFA is granted, a hearing for the Permanent PFA (protection up to 3 years) will be scheduled at that time. Temporary PFA’s can be filed at the Family Courts Building, 440 Ross St. – 3rd Floor, Room 3030, in Pittsburgh. This is an all-day process, please plan on staying at the courthouse for most of the day. Free child care is available, however, space is limited.

Court Room Orientation

Family Court Building

440 Ross St. Room 3030 – 3rd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15219

What you will do

Plan to arrive between 8:30 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. to complete your paperwork
Enter the building at the Ross Street Entrance
Proceed through security. Take the elevator to the 3rd Floor
Upon exiting the elevator, go to room 3030, a deputy is available near the elevator if you need assistance
Childcare is available on the 1st floor. Space is not guaranteed. However, please do not let this stop you from filing
Advocates will review the PFA process with you and familiarize you with the forms that will be completed
After you complete the required forms with the assistance of an advocate, s/he will offer suggestions as to what you should be prepared for in the courtroom and the days agenda
Advocates will be available in the afternoon to assist with other information, referrals and to answer any further questions. A lawyer is recommended for your Final Hearing. You will not need one for today. At your final hearing you may bring a lawyer of your choice or an advocate can sign you up for a free attorney
You will go before the judge. An advocate will be available if you are in need of any assistance or accompaniment
If the temporary PFA is granted, the permanent PFA hearing will be scheduled at that time
An advocate will be available to review the process for the permenant PFA and will assist you with planning for the hearing. If you are in need of accompaniment to the permanent PFA hearing please talk with your advocate
Advocates will review information outlining violations of the PFA, Indirect Criminal Contempt (ICC) procedures
If the PFA is not granted, advocates are available to provide information and referral for other services that will assist in your safety and discuss safety planning options.
If the PFA is denied, you have the right to ask for a hearing. If you choose not to and another incident occurs, you are encourage to apply for a PFA again

Safety Planning

Call the Police if you are in danger
Pack a survival kit (keep it with someone trustworthy) that may include:
- Birth Certificates
- Insurance Information
- Medications
- Deed
- Lease
- Credit Cards
- Legal Documents
- School Records
- Green Card
- Passport
- Work Permit
- Driver’s License
- Cash
- Check Books
- Clothing
- Extra set of Car Keys
Photograph your injuries and keep all evidence of abuse (torn clothing, hair, etc…)
Establish an emergency escape plan and rehearse it
Plan with your children: Identify a safe place for them to go (a room with a lock or a neighbor’s home)
Reassure your children that their job is to get to safety and seek help from an adult, not to protect you
Know where you can go for help and keep emergency phone numbers in your purse or car
If you are injured, immediately go to the hospital emergency room and ask that they document the abuse and request a medical advocate (save your discharge papers. They can be used as evidence in court.)
Arrange a signal with a neighbor to contact the police should you be unable to do so
Have a “code word” with your friends or family so they can call 911, if you can not make the call yourself. Don’t forget to give your location. (Hi, I;m home already. I’m sorry, I forgot to pick up the apples today or the store was out of cupcakes, just wanted to let you know. I’m already at the kids school.)
Notify your children’s school if you feel that the abuser might try to take the chidlren without authorization

Material items can always be replaced. Your lives and those of your loved ones can not. Get to a safe place fast!

PENNSYLVANIA VICTIMSM COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Office of Victims’ Services

Mailing Address:

Street Address:

Phone, Fax & Email:

P.O. Box 1167

Harrisburg, PA 17108-1167

310 North Front Street

Harrisburgh, PA 17110

1 (800) 233 – 2339

(717) 783 – 5153

(717) 787 – 4306 (FAX)

ra-davesupport@pa.gov

Website: www.pcv.pccd.pa.gov

You may file online at www.dave.pa.gov

Victims Compensation Assitance Program Short Form

Please read the following before completing the form

You may be eligible for compensation if:

The crime occurred in Pennsylvania
The crime was reported to proper authorities within 3 days
You cooperate with law enforcement authorities investigation the crime, the courts, and the Victims Compensation Assistance Program in processing the claim (some exceptions apply)
Deadlines for filing may apply. Please visit www.pcv.pccd.pa.gov or call 1 (800) 233-2339 for additional information on filing requirements
Minimum loss requirements may apply. Please visit www.pcv.pccd.pa.gov or call 1 (800) 233-2339 for addtional information on filing requirements

You may be awarded compenstation for:

Medical Expenses

Couseling Expenses

Loss of Earnings

Loss of Support

Relocation Expenses

Funeral Expenses

Crime Scene Cleanup

Transportation Expenses

Childcare

Home Healthcare Expenses

Stolen Cash (if your main source of income is Social Security Retirement, Disability Income, Supplemental Income, Suvivor Benefits, Retirement/Pension(s), Disability, or Couty Ordered Child/Spousal Support)

An overall award shall not exceed $35,000; however, certain benefits, such as counseling and crime-scene cleanup, may be paid over and above the maximum. Monetary Limits apply to most benefits.

1 (800) 233-2339 HELP FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME IN PENNSYLVANIA

www.pcv.pccd.pa.gov

The Program does not cover:

Pain and Suffering
Stolen and damaged property (except replacement of stolen or damaged medical equipment)

A claim may be determined ineligible or an award may be reduced if the conduct of the victim contributed to the injury.

Your cooperation with the Program and the submission of complete and accurate information will assist us in processing your claim in a timely manner.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: You do not have to wait until the trail is over or all of your bills are received to file a claim. You may file a claim if there is no known offender or if an arrest has not been made.

General instructions for submitting your claim:

Please confirm your entry for accuracy
Complete on those sections that apply to your claim
Provide an accurate mailing address, a safe phone number or email address where you can be reached during the day
Provide as many of the requested documents as you can when filing your claim. You may submit your claim even if you do not have all the required documents. The Program may request additional information once the claim is received
Sign the Acknowledgement and Reimbursement Agreement and Authorization to Obtain Information and the HIPPA Authorization and Release Agreement (if applicable)
If you would like assistance in filing your claim you may contact the Victim Compensation Assistance Program at 1 (800) 233-2339

Please Note: It is important that you inform the Program if you change your mailing address, phone number or email address. To process your claim, we must be able to contact you.

The Victims Compensation Assistance Program is the payer of last resort. This means your award will be reduced by the monies you receive from any other source as a result of the crime, such as insurance, resitution, and civil suit settlement, including monies received for pain and suffering.

We will make every effort to process your claim as quickly and efficiently as possible.